<em>Note: Today we start a series of conversations with the 30 pianists vying for gold in the Cliburn.</em></p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Stephen Beus</span></strong></p><p>(pronounced Bee-use)</p><p><strong>Nationality: </strong>American</p><p><strong>Born: </strong>Othello, Wash.</p><p><strong>Lives: </strong>New York City</p><p><strong>Age: </strong>27</p><p><strong>I am happiest when .&ensp;.&ensp;. </strong>I&rsquo;m on vacation with my wife. We have some great memories in Paris and the Oregon coast. Prerequisites for a good vacation are no concerts and no pianos to practice on.</p><p><strong>I get really annoyed when .&ensp;.&ensp;. </strong>I&rsquo;m stuck in traffic.</p><p><em><strong>Growing up on a farm taught me .&ensp;.&ensp;. </strong></em>to start practicing furiously whenever it was time to go work in the orchard. I was able to avoid farm chores about half the time with my deceitful practicing habits.</p><p><strong>My favorite city is .&ensp;.&ensp;.</strong> (other than Fort Worth, of course) New York City. So much energy, so much music, so much delicious food!</p><p><strong>My secret vice is .&ensp;.&ensp;.</strong> Overdosing on my wife&rsquo;s chocolate chip cookies. There is a </p><p>family recipe we discovered </p><p>that makes the cookies so soft and delicious. I can&rsquo;t help myself.</p><p><strong>My dream for the Cliburn competition is .&ensp;.&ensp;.</strong> to play my best and have a good time.</p><p><strong>Learn more and hear him play: </strong><a href="http://www.stephenbeus.homestead.com">www.stephenbeus.homestead.com</a></p><p>&mdash; Tim Madigan </p><p><hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition May 22-June 7</p><p>Bass Hall, Fort Worth</p><p><a href="http://www.cliburn.org">www.cliburn.org</a></p><p></div>