2026 Manhattan International Piano Competition
2026 Chicago Regional
© 2025 by Manhattan Music and Arts Foundation
All Rights Reserved.
About
2026 Chicago Regional - Manhattan International Piano Competition
The 2026 Chicago Regional is the official Stage 2 (Live Round) of the Manhattan International Piano Competition. Following the international video screening, selected participants are invited to perform live before a professional jury in Chicago, USA.
This regional round is scheduled for May 10th, 2026 at the PianoForte Studios Recital Hall, 1335 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605.
The Chicago Regional serves as a critical step between the online preliminary stage and the final round in New York City. It offers young and professional pianists the opportunity to present their artistry on stage, receive expert adjudication, and compete for advancement to the Manhattan Final.
Live Competition & Jury Evaluation
Participants at the Chicago Regional will perform live before an international jury of distinguished pianists and educators. Each performance will be evaluated on interpretive depth, technical command, stylistic insight, and artistic presence.
All competitors receive professional written feedback, providing meaningful guidance for future artistic growth. The regional round emphasizes excellence, education, and international standards of performance.
Awards & Recognition
The Chicago Regional includes a formal Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding performers in each division.
Awards include:
• 1st Prize
• 2nd Prize
• 3rd Prize
• Honorable Mentions and Special Prizes
Prize scholarships may be applied as tuition credits toward participation in the Manhattan PianoFest and Final Round in New York City. All award recipients are presented with official printed certificates during the ceremony.
Pathway to the Manhattan Final
Selected winners from the Chicago Regional will be invited to New York City to take part in the Manhattan Final Round & Manhattan PianoFest October 1-4, 2026, a multi-day international festival featuring:
• High-level solo performances
• Master classes with world-class faculty
• Collaborative cultural exchange events
• Winners recital in New York City
The Chicago Regional is a key milestone in the competition’s globally structured progression, connecting talented pianists with a prestigious international platform.
Performance & Memorization Policy (2026)
• Video Screening Round (Chicago)
The use of sheet music is permitted only for the video screening round (Junior Division only, ages 8–17).
• Live Rounds ( Chicago Regional & Manhattan Final):
All performances must be fully memorized, for all divisions, all ages, and all regions.
•The use of sheet music is not permitted in any live round.
Participation Requirements
Age Divisions
Junior Division: Ages 8–12
Senior Division: Ages 13–17
Professional Division : 18-35
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
International Jury
Dr. Matthew Hagle
pianist
Matthew Hagle is a pianist of exceptional versatility and depth, widely admired for his musical understanding, imaginative programming, and refined beauty of sound. In solo performance, he is known for shedding new light on the piano repertoire, presenting both lesser-known works and the traditional canon with insight and conviction. His performances have taken him to major venues throughout the United States and abroad, and he is frequently heard on WFMT in Chicago, as well as on NPR’s Performance Today and other national radio broadcasts.
A highly sought-after collaborator, Dr. Hagle has performed extensively in chamber music settings and has released acclaimed recordings with leading artists. He is also a dedicated and respected educator whose students have earned top honors in competitions and continued on to leading music institutions. He currently serves on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago, where he is Director of the Musicianship Program, and has previously taught at the University of Notre Dame and Elmhurst College.
Dr. Hagle received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Claude Frank. His earlier studies were at the Peabody Conservatory with Robert Weirich and Donald Currier, and in London with Maria Curcio Diamand as a Fulbright Scholar. An engaging speaker and thinker, he is especially valued for his ability to draw meaningful connections between new and old music, and between music and other art forms.
Dr. Hiroko Nagahata
Chicago Regional Director
Hiroko Nagahata enjoys a multifaceted career as a pianist, educator, and performing arts administrator. She has performed in venues around the world, including Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in New York and Salle Cortot in Paris. She currently serves as Co-Director of Studio814 at the British International School of Chicago and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University.
Guest Artist
Aidan Siqi Zhao
pianist
Lang Lang Young Scholar
Aidan Siqi Zhao, aged 14, is a highly gifted young musician currently studying in Year 10 at King’s College School, London. He is a dual-instrumentalist, learning both piano and violin as first instruments at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, where he continues to flourish artistically. Aidan previously performed as a member of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to orchestral performance.
Aidan is presently studying piano under the guidance of Professor Ian Jones at the Royal College of Music, receiving mentorship that has helped shape his expressive and mature musical voice. His talent has attracted national attention; in 2021, he was interviewed by BBC News in recognition of his musical achievements.
In February 2024, Aidan was selected as a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, one of the most prestigious programmes worldwide for emerging young pianists. Through this opportunity, he has received invaluable support in the form of performance engagements, artistic development, and masterclasses with distinguished musicians.
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About
2026 Chicago Regional - Manhattan International Piano Competition
The 2026 Chicago Regional is the official Stage 2 (Live Round) of the Manhattan International Piano Competition. Following the international video screening, selected participants are invited to perform live before a professional jury in Chicago, USA.
This regional round is scheduled for May 10th, 2026 at the PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605.
The Chicago Regional serves as a critical step between the online preliminary stage and the final round in New York City. It offers young and professional pianists the opportunity to present their artistry on stage, receive expert adjudication, and compete for advancement to the Manhattan Final.
Live Competition & Jury Evaluation
Participants at the ChicagoRegional will perform live before an international jury of distinguished pianists and educators. Each performance will be evaluated on interpretive depth, technical command, stylistic insight, and artistic presence.
All competitors receive professional verbal & written feedback, providing meaningful guidance for future artistic growth. The regional round emphasizes excellence, education, and international standards of performance.
Awards & Recognition
The Chicago Regional includes a formal Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding performers in each division.
Awards include:
• 1st Prize
• 2nd Prize
• 3rd Prize
• Honorable Mentions and Special Prizes
Prize scholarships may be applied as tuition credits toward participation in the Manhattan PianoFest and Final Round in New York City. All award recipients are presented with official printed certificates during the ceremony.
Outstanding participants may be invited to advance to Stage 3, the Manhattan Final Round and Manhattan Pianofest in New York City, October 1-4, 2026.
Pathway to the Manhattan Final
Selected winners from the Chicago Regional will be invited to New York City to take part in the Manhattan Final Round & Manhattan PianoFest, a multi-day international festival featuring:
• High-level solo performances
• Master classes with world-class faculty
• Collaborative cultural exchange events
• Winners recital in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City
The Chicago Regional is a key milestone in the competition’s globally structured progression, connecting talented pianists with a prestigious international platform.
Performance & Memorization Policy (2026)
• Video Screening Round (Chicago)
The use of sheet music is permitted only for the video screening round (Junior Division only, ages 8–17).
• Live Rounds ( Chicago Regional & Manhattan Final):
All performances must be fully memorized, for all divisions, all ages, and all regions.
•The use of sheet music is not permitted in any live round.
Participation Requirements
Age Divisions
Junior Division: Ages 8–12
Senior Division: Ages 13–17
Professional Division : 18-35
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Manhattan Music and Arts Foundation Presents
Co - Director
Jung Eun Hong
" I'm passionate about creating opportunities for young pianists from around the world to connect, learn, and share their artistry in one of the world's most vibrant musical cities - fostering access for all and celebrating music as a universal language."
"This Competition is dedicated to students who may not have access to the same resources, but whose dedication and love for music deserve to be celebrated. It's about giving them a platform to share their talent and dreams."
Co - Director
Peter James
London Season of Excellence Piano Competition 2025
