2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
2026 MANHATTAN INTERNATIONAL
PIANO COMPETITION
Presented as part of the Manhattan International Piano Festival
Manhattan Music and Arts Foundation
2026 Manhattan International Piano Competition
Categories
Youth Junior (Ages 8-12)
Youth Junior Division
Applicants must be at least 8 years old and not older than 12 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 6 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• One etude (classical or contemporary)
showing technical difficulty and musical expression
(e.g. concert etudes by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ligeti or Moszkowski; traditional etudes by Czerny or Burgmüller; or pedagogical technical pieces by Kabalevsky or Kuhlau, appropriate to the applicant's level)
• One Free choice Piece of the Applicant's Choice ( Non - Etude )
Regional Winners’ Recital (selected regions)
Live Performance (10 minutes)
• Extended program chosen by the performer
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 15 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command
Final Winners Recital ( Carnegie Hall )
• Winners perform 10 minutes solo recital repertoire in final winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Youth Senior (Ages 13-17)
Youth Senior Division
Applicants must be at least 13 years old and not older than 17 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 8 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• A contrasting program representing at least two musical periods
Regional Winners’ Recital (selected regions)
Live Performance (10-15 minutes)
• Extended program chosen by the performer
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (Maximum 20-30 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)
Final Winners Recital ( Carnegie Hall )
• Winners perform 10-15 minutes solo recital repertoire in final winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
Professional (Ages 18 - 35)
Professional Division
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not older than 35 years old as of March 15, 2026.
Preliminary Round
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Regional Competition
Live Performance (Maximum 10 minutes)
Participants may prepare a longer program. The jury may stop the performance once the time limit is reached.
Repertoire:
• A contrasting program representing at least three musical periods
Regional Winners’ Recital (selected regions)
Live Performance (10-20 minutes)
• Extended program chosen by the performer
Final Round (Manhattan)
Live Performance (30-40 minutes)
• Contrasting program showing artistry and technical command including one movement of a classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert)
Final Winners Recital ( Carnegie Hall )
• Winners perform 10-20 minutes solo recital repertoire in final winners recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
The 2026 Manhattan International Piano Competition invites pianists of all ages from around the world to join our international regional competitions where outstanding performers will be selected for the Final Round in New York City.
Location: Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, Manhattan
Kaufman Music Center
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall
The 2026 MIPC features a three-round structure: the Preliminary Round by video submission, a series of international regional competitions and regional winners’ recitals, and the Final Round & festival in Manhattan. Selected prize winners will receive cash prizes, Manhattan PianoFest Scholarships, and recital opportunities in New York City, Europe and Asia during the 2026–2027 season.
The Preliminary Round consists of video submissions evaluated by our international jury. Outstanding performers will be invited to their regional winners’ recital, where selected participants will advance to the New York City Final Round to perform live before the jury.
Application Deadline:
Tbilisi : March 15, 2026
Chicago : March 15, 2026
Philadelphia : April 15, 2026
Warsaw: May 10, 2026
New York: April 15, 2026
Video submissions are required for all applicants.
Competition Structure
Stage 1 – Preliminary
(Video Submission)
Junior Youth
Senior Youth
Professional Category
Video Submission
• One repertoire piece of the performer's choice. The piece should showcase the performer's technical skill and musical expression. The video should clearly show the performer's hands, face, and feet for pedaling.
Stage 2 – Regional Competition & Awards Ceremony (Live)
Regional competitions will be held in select international cities
London | Tbilisi | Brescia | Tokyo | Osaka | Seoul | New York | Chicago | Philadelphia
Each regional event includes:
• Live performances before a professional jury
• Adjudication and written feedback for each participant
• Awards ceremony recognizing top performers in both divisions
Awards:
🥇 1st Prize 🥈 2nd Prize 🥉 3rd Prize
Honorable Mentions & Special Prizes
Prize scholarships are applied as tuition credits toward participation in the Manhattan PianoFest and Final Round
All winners receive an official printed certificate presented on stage during the ceremony. Outstanding participants may be invited to the Final Round & Manhattan PianoFest in New York City.
Stage 3 – Final Round & Manhattan PianoFest
A select group of Youth Division finalists will be invited to New York City to participate in a 4-day festival featuring:
• High-level solo performances
• Master classes with world-class faculty
• Collaborative events and international cultural exchange
• Winners Recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Final winners will perform 10-20 minutes program.
Finalist Numbers:
Youth Division (Junior & Senior combined): 10-12 finalists
Professional Division: 10-12 finalists
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