PRIMA MUSIC FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION
FOR YOUNG PIANISTS
• ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The 2026 Prima Music Foundation (PMF) International Concerto Competition for Young Pianists is a two-round competition designed to recognize exceptional artistry, preparation, and musical maturity.
The competition provides outstanding young pianists with national and international performance opportunities, culminating in a sponsored concerto performance in Rome, Italy, (Spring, 2027.)
The number of grand finalists have been expanded to 12 in Groups A, B, and C, 10 in Group D, and 8 in Group E. The minimum time limit has been removed for the Preliminary Round and the Final Round. The number of Final Round Locations has been increased. There will be a total of four locations this year: Online, New York, Shenzhen, Bangkok. New Partnership with Skillman Music to provide recording discounts to 2024 Piano Star applicants in the New York area.
• ELIGIBILITY
- Open to pianists ages 10–18 as of May 1, 2026.
- Open to applicants of all nationalities.
- Applicants under 18 must have parent/guardian consent.
- Applicants must possess a valid passport or legal documentation permitting international travel.
The number of grand finalists have been expanded to 12 in Groups A, B, and C, 10 in Group D, and 8 in Group E. The minimum time limit has been removed for the Preliminary Round and the Final Round. The number of Final Round Locations has been increased. There will be a total of four locations this year: Online, New York, Shenzhen, Bangkok. New Partnership with Skillman Music to provide recording discounts to 2024 Piano Star applicants in the New York area.
• REQUIRED REPERTOIRE
Johann Sebastian Bach
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Concerto in F minor, BWV 1056
- Johann Sebastian Bach – Concerto in D major, BWV 1054
Joseph Haydn
- Joseph Haydn – Piano Concerto Hob. XVIII:1
- Joseph Haydn – Piano Concerto Hob. XVIII:3
- Joseph Haydn – Piano Concerto Hob. XVIII:4
- Joseph Haydn – Piano Concerto Hob. XVIII:11
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
-
ALL CONCERTI.
Ludwig van Beethoven
-
ANY CONCERTI
Johann Nepomuk Hummel
- Johann Nepomuk Hummel – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 85
- Johann Nepomuk Hummel – Piano Concerto in B minor, Op. 89
Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
Frédéric Chopin
- Frédéric Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
- Frédéric Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Camille Saint-Saëns
-
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
- All repertoire must be performed from memory.
- The same concerto must be performed in:
- The Preliminary Round (video)
- The Final Round (live)
- The Winner’s Performance in Rome, Italy
- No repertoire changes are permitted after submission.
- Cuts are not permitted unless standard and/or traditionally accepted.
- Cadenzas may be performed as written or artist-composed.
• APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Deadline: May 24, 2026
Applicants must submit:
- A YouTube link (Public or Unlisted) of a single, unedited performance either the first movement of a piano concerto, OR the second and third movements performed consecutively. Concertos by J.S.Bach that last around 15 minutes should be recorded in their entirety. The videos must be recorded in a single, continuous take from one fixed camera angle, clearly showing the performer’s face and hands, with no audio or video editing permitted.
- The video title should include the applicant’s full name and the title of the concerto.
- A short biography (200–250 words).
- Application fee $75
The Fee is waived for the 2026 PMF Piano Summer Camp applicants. - Confirmation of valid passport status. (All applicants must possess a valid passport or green card permitting international travel to and from Italy. The PMF International Concerto Competition does not provide visas, visa assistance, or official invitation letters of any kind. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to ensure compliance with all travel, visa, and entry requirements.) *For additional information, please refer to the Travel & International Performance Disclaimer included in the application form.
The number of grand finalists have been expanded to 12 in Groups A, B, and C, 10 in Group D, and 8 in Group E. The minimum time limit has been removed for the Preliminary Round and the Final Round. The number of Final Round Locations has been increased. There will be a total of four locations this year: Online, New York, Shenzhen, Bangkok. New Partnership with Skillman Music to provide recording discounts to 2024 Piano Star applicants in the New York area.
• AUDITION PROCESS
Preliminary Round (Video Audition via Youtube Link)
All submissions will be reviewed by the PMF International Concerto Competition Jury and the results will be posted at www.primamusicfoundation.com/competition/ in the last week of May.
Five finalists will be invited to perform at the Final Round in Pittsfield, MA on June 29th, 2026.
Final Round (Live Performance)
Location: Berkshire Music School, Pittsfield, MA
Rehearsal: June 28, 2026
Performance: June 29, 2026
Finalists will perform the complete concerto from memory with second piano accompaniment provided by PMF International Concerto Competition. Finalists may perform with their own accompanist if PMF International Concerto Competition is notified in advance of the Final Round.
Finalists are responsible for their own travel and lodging in Pittsfield, MA.
Audition results will be announced following jury deliberations on June 29, 2026. All jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
The number of grand finalists have been expanded to 12 in Groups A, B, and C, 10 in Group D, and 8 in Group E. The minimum time limit has been removed for the Preliminary Round and the Final Round. The number of Final Round Locations has been increased. There will be a total of four locations this year: Online, New York, Shenzhen, Bangkok. New Partnership with Skillman Music to provide recording discounts to 2024 Piano Star applicants in the New York area.
• AWARDS
Grand Prizes (2 Laureates)
Two Grand Prize Laureates will be invited to perform a full concerto with String Quartet in Rome, Italy, (Spring 2027). The award includes sponsored round-trip economy airfare and accommodations.* For additional information, please refer to the Prize Disclosure included in the application form.
PMF Merit Awards & PMF Young Artist Scholar (3 Recipients)
Three finalists will receive PMF Merit Awards and be designated PMF Young Artist Scholars for the 2026–2027 season, with performance invitations at selected Prima Music Foundation events in New York City, NY, San Jose, CA and other venues TBD.
Alternate Laureate (1 Recipient)
One Merit Award recipient will be named Alternate Laureate and will assume the Grand Prize should a Laureate be unable to fulfill the Rome engagement.
Finalist Recognition
All five finalists will receive a $250 cash award and a certificate of recognition.
• JURY
Dr. Robert Grohman
Assistant Teaching Professor of Piano & Piano Literature
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University
Dr. Amy E. Gustafson
Pianist, Yamaha Artist
Executive Director, Gijon International Piano Festival
Director, Palmetto International Piano Festival
Michael Shirtz
Conductor & Educator
The Ohio State University
Firelands Symphony Orchestra & Chorale
Chautauqua Lakeside Music
• FINALISTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FIVE FINALISTS of the Prima Music Foundation 2026 International Concerto Competition! Stephen S. Chen, Faith Eugenia Villar-Córdova Scott, Karen Matsui, Benjamin LeSuer, and Aaron Wang. Support these talented young musicians in the Final Round on June 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM, followed by the Awards Ceremony at 5:00 PM at Taft Hall at Berkshire Music Hall in Pittsfield, MA.
Aaron Wang is a 17-year-old pianist recognized for his technical refinement, mature artistry, and expressive depth. A junior at Scarsdale High School and a piano major in the Pre-College Division at The Juilliard School, he studies with distinguished pianist Hung-Kuan Chen. Aaron has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and appeared as a soloist with the Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra in 2022. His honors include first prizes at the 5th Fou Ts’ong International Concerto Competition (2025), Chicago International Music Competition (2023), Manhattan School of Music Concerto Competition (2022), and multiple Steinway & Sons competitions. He regularly shares his music through community performances.
Program: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73
Faith Eugenia Villar-Córdova Scott began studying music at age four and won her first international piano competition at age five. Since then, she has earned top prizes in numerous national and international competitions, including the Memphis International Piano Competition, Colors of Chopin International Piano Competition, Florida Young Artists International Piano Competition, and Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition.
She made her orchestral debut at age seven, performing a complete Haydn concerto under the direction of Maestro Alberto Bade, and later appeared at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Recent honors include winning the Central Iowa Symphony Concerto Competition (2025), the Orchestra Omaha Young Artists Concerto Competition (2026), and national recognition in the MTNA Composition Competition.
Faith studies piano with Dr. Marion and Rosa Scott and Portuguese pianist Vasco Dantas.
Program: Mozart Piano Concerto in C Major, K. 246
Hailing from the Richmond, Virginia area, pianist Stephen S. Chen is a young artist studying with Dr. Yinfei Wang. His achievements include the Grand Prix at the XVI Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford and the Music Matters International Music Competition, as well as top prizes at the WPTA Singapore and Spain International Piano Competitions, the International Chopin Competition in Vienna, the Savshinsky International Music Competition, the American Protégé International Competition, and several other international events.
Stephen made his debuts at Carnegie Hall and Vienna’s Ehrbar Saal and has since performed at Harvard University, the National Institutes of Health, and Van Cliburn Hall. He appeared at the Washington International Piano Festival and was selected as a junior performer at PianoTexas International Festival & Academy. Most recently, he was accepted to the Cleveland International Piano Institute for Young Artists and the MostArts Festival.
Program: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488
Karen Matsui is a sophomore at Valley Christian High School and an Honor Fellow in Piano Performance at the Conservatory Program. She has earned top prizes in numerous competitions, including the Marian Filice Piano Competition, Pittsburgh International Performance Competition, United States Open Music Competition, New Star International Competition, and Harmony for Peace Music Competition. In 2025, she attended the Tanglewood Institute Young Pianists Program.
An active chamber musician, Karen has earned top prizes in national chamber music competitions and has been invited to perform at prestigious chamber music festivals.
As a composer and improviser, she has received awards from the Bay Area Creative Youth Awards, the Pacific Musical Society Composition Competition, and the Golden Key Piano Composition Competition. Her composition Awakening earned second prize and led to an invitation to perform at the World Composers Recital in Vienna. She has also appeared at the MTAC Annual Convention Improvisation Honors Recital.
Program: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
At just 13 years old, Benjamin LeSuer has emerged as a remarkable young talent in classical music. Benjamin began his musical journey at the age of 4 in McKinney, Texas, showing an early aptitude for piano. Since then, his musical abilities have grown to include violin, which he has played for 5 years, and drums for the past 2 years. Benjamin currently resides in Syosset, New York, where he attends the Juilliard Pre-College program.
In addition to piano, Benjamin enjoys music composition and is actively involved in sports such as basketball and swimming. Looking to the future, Benjamin aspires to continue his studies and pursue a professional career in music.
Program: Bach Keyboard Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052