Starting Off On The Right Note, Cliburn Competitor Lands In Texas

Arlington TX

31 May, 2022

5:11 PM

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By Marcheta Fornoff, Fort Worth Report May 30, 2022 Throngs of family members waiting to reunite with loved ones ebbed and flowed as passengers wheeled suitcases away from customs and the secure baggage claims at DFW International Airport's Terminal D. Cindy Will stood at the edge of the crowd waiting to welcome international arrivals, anxiously holding a sign that read "Jinhyung Park." Will has never met Park before, but the Korean-born pianist will be staying at her home while competing at 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. "I'm excited," Will said while peering through the crowd trying to spot Park. "I'm nervous and so excited." The 26-year-old will be the third Cliburn competitor she's hosted. The first hailed from Italy and the second was from Taiwan. As a teacher, Will appreciates the learning and cultural exchange that comes along with hosting contestants. She remembers eventually figuring out that when her first contestant asked for "a steel" what they really needed was an iron. Tuxedo, she learned, was another word that was hard to translate. And food provided a way to bond, whether it was seeking out authentic Italian restaurants and sushi bars or cooking at home. "It's almost like family," Will said, noting that she is in touch with the contestant from Taiwan. To read the full article, click here. Fort Worth Report is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that produces factual, in-depth journalism about city and county government, schools, healthcare, business, and arts and culture in Tarrant County. Always free to read; subscribe to newsletters, read coverage or support our newsroom at fortworthreport.org.