Cliburn official out after six months

FORT WORTH -- A little more than six months after she was hired, the director of artistic planning and communications for the Van Cliburn Foundation worked her last day Friday, Cliburn officials said Monday.

Foundation officials would not elaborate on the departure of Janice Mayer, saying only that she was no longer an employee.

Reached by phone, Mayer would not provide details, either.

"I've never been through anything like this before in my life," Mayer said. "I moved here six months ago because of this position, so what has happened now is something I take very seriously as a person and a professional.

"I can't talk anymore about it as I'm seeking legal counsel, and I don't want to compromise myself."

On Sept. 1, Mayer, who was not under contract with the Cliburn, assumed a dual role of overseeing the Cliburn's public relations-marketing arms and managing its key artists.

She arrived two months after the end of the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and one of her biggest responsibilities was to manage many of the concert dates for the six Cliburn contest finalists for the next three years.

Alann Sampson, chairwoman and executive director pro tem of the Cliburn Foundation, said she hopes to divide Mayer's old responsibilities between two new hires.

"We at the Cliburn learned a lot from Janice while she was here, but, yes, we did amicably agree to part ways Friday afternoon," Sampson said. "We wish her every success in her future endeavors."

Andrew Marton is a Star-Telegram senior arts writer. 817-390-7679