2026 Manhattan International Piano Competition
2026 Philadelphia Regional
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About
2026 Philadelphia Regional - Manhattan International Piano Competition
The 2026 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia round is scheduled for May 31st, 2026 at the Ware Family Recital Hall, Swope Music Building, 817 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19383
The Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 verbal & written feedback, providing meaningful guidance for future artistic growth. The regional round emphasizes excellence, education, and international standards of performance.
Awards & Recognition
The Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 (Philadelphia)
The use of sheet music is permitted only for the video screening round (Junior Division only, ages 8–17).
• Live Rounds ( Philadelphia 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: April 15, 2026
International Jury
Dr. Carl Cranmer
pianist
Carl Cranmer made his orchestral debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at age nine, playing Mozart’s Concerto in A Major, K. 488. In addition to solo recitals in Europe, Asia, and North America, he has performed with the Royal Philharmonic of England, the Gulbenkian Orquesta of Portugal, the Juilliard Orchestra and several other orchestras in the U.S. and Asia. Cranmer has performed chamber music with the Grammy-winning Takacs Quartet, violinist Axel Strauss and Akiko Suwanai, and tenor Robert White,among others. The New York Times’ James Oesterreich,commenting on his Liszt 2nd Concerto performance with the Juilliard Orchestra said, “He made light work of Liszt’s fiendishly demanding octaves, scales, and glissandos, showing a fine lyrical strain to boot. And he did it all with lovely, controlled tone.”
Cranmer currently a professor of piano at the Wells School of Music at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. In 2016 he became Visiting Artist at the new Guangdong Open College-Conservatory in Foshan, China, and in August 2018 he was invited to be a juror of the international jury for the 12th Moscow International Frederick Chopin Competition in Foshan, China. Cranmer founded and was the director of the American Summer International Piano Forum (APF) at West Chester University, formed in 2016. Cranmer is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Robert Shannon, and The Juilliard School, where he studied with Martin Canin and received his Professional Studies Certificate and Master and Doctoral degrees.
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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 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
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.
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