Competition Rundown
Your journey with us!
Video auditions will be conducted digitally by sharing a YouTube (or other video) link during your application. Jurors shall select the winners entirely by viewing their online video submissions. The jurors are selecting three performers from each category to perform at Carnegie Hall!
Special Prize: Jury reserves the right to award Special Prize for an exceptional performance of a piece which for some reasons didn't make it among the top prize winners, but still deserves a spot on the stage of Carnegie Hall.
Our judging panel will select top competitors of each category and invite them to perform for the Gala in New York City. Selecting winners and performers is solely the jurors’ discretion.
Participants need to submit their applications online at www.pianohousecompetition.com. Our jury selects immediate winners (with no in person finals in New York this year) from each category and sends out invitations to our Carnegie Hall Gala.
We recommend to arrive to New York City for all winners at least a few days before the day of the Gala, especially in case they wish to participate our master class sessions.
The Gala of the PianoHouse International Piano Competition is October 7, 7:30 pm, 2026 at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Selected players of each categories are performing one piece (limited to 5 minutes) and accepting their prizes. As performers will sit in during the concert, performers will be granted one ticket to the Gala concert and sit in the first rows with those tickets. Additional tickets may be purchased at Carnegie Hall's official website on a first come first serve bases.
This competition is aiming to build a supportive community for young musicians to explore their talent, build confidence in piano playing and get exposure through our competition.
Apply to PianoHouse International Piano Competition New York to win a spot at our Carnegie Hall Gala Concert. All applicants required to send a YouTube link of their selected performance in their selected category. Application fee $80 USD.
Prize winners of the competition are granted a spot to perform on our Gala Concert in New York. Their participation fee of the Gala Concert is $500. This includes dress rehearsal, main rehearsal at Carnegie Hall and performance, after party attendance to get to know your fellow winners in other categories.
All of our (non prize winner) participants are invited to attend the Gala at Carnegie Hall on October 7, 2026, Limited spots are available. ($50 USD/ticket) on a first come first serve bases.
We provide master class opportunities to our prize winners and non prize winners with our judges on the weekend of our Carnegie Hall Gall. Details to be announced.
Terms and conditions for PianoHouse International Piano Competition
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Registration
The COMPETITION
• All registration will be accepted online at www.pianohousecompetition.com.
• Competitors will be asked to fill out the registration form, submit a YouTube link of their performance, and pay the application fee.
• Application Fee is $ 80 USD (non refundable)
The Week of the Gala in New York City
IMPORTANT GALA TICKET INFORMATION: Limited amount of tickets are available for the Gala for parents and friends on a first come first serve bases.
CATEGORIES
Toddlers: born in or after 2020
Repertoire: Repertoire of free choice, not exceeding 2 minutes
Category A: children born in 2018-2019
Repertoire: Two pieces of free choice with a time limit of 7 minutes
Category B: children born in 2016-2017
Repertoire: Two pieces of free choice with a time limit of 7 minutes
Category C: children born in 2014-2015
Repertoire: Two pieces of free choice with a time limit of 8 minutes
Category D: children born in 2012-2013
Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire with a time limit of 9 minutes
Category E: children born in 2010-2011
Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire with a time limit of 10 minutes
Senior category: participants born in 2009 or before.
Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire up to 25 minutes. One piece of the repertoire should be no longer than 5 minutes.
Category Franz Liszt: without age restrictions
Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire with a time limit of 25 minutes. At least one piece chosen from Franz Liszt.
Category Frederic Chopin: without age restrictions
Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire with a time limit of 15 minutes, at least one piece chosen from Frederic Chopin.
Category Jazz: without age restrictions
Repertoire: Free choice of pieces with a time limit of 15 minutes, at least one piece no longer than 5 minutes.
Additional Important rules and regulations:
The competition organizers PianoHouse Inc. reserves the right to change jury after announcing the panel.
With applying to the competition and accepting these terms and conditions participants agree to waive all copyrights of all video and audio recordings of competition related recordings, such as recording the completion performances, rehearsals, interviews, additional footages recorded prior to their performers, master class, or at potential live streamed events.
All participants also accept PianoHouse’s general terms and conditions by applying to the competition.
Important Dates
July 1, 2026 - deadline for video auditions
July 15, 2026 Announcements of winners of each categories
Logistics
Foreign Contestants attending the Gala: Contestants who are not citizens of the United States of America need to consult with the nearest American Embassy or Consulate on advice for visas. If required, PianoHouse Inc. will send an official letter of invitation.
Medical Expenses: Contestants agree to be financially responsible for all medical needs and expenses and travel insurances during their visit as contestants of Pianohouse International Piano Competition.
Housing and Transportation: All performers invited to the Gala will be responsible for their transportation and housing arrangements. For discounted hotel rates with our hotel partners please connect our secretary at competition@piano.house for more information.