Emory University Young Artist Piano Competition 2026

Open to pianists age 13 to 18 years old who live in the USA.

ABOUT

The mission of the Emory University Young Artist Piano Competition is to give exceptional young pianists the opportunity to advance their skills by performing in a public setting. The competition is open to the public with a live audience invited to attend the Winners Concert starting at 7pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Cherry Logan Emerson Hall, an 800-seat hall at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. Following a prescreening round, 12 semi-finalists (with three alternates) will be chosen to perform and compete live at Emory University.

COMPETITION DETAILS

Eligibility: The competition is open to pianists age 13 to 18 as of January 1, 2026, residing in the United States. Twelve finalists and three alternates will be chosen to compete live on January 24, 2026. Proof of age will be required of the contestants chosen for the final round.

Application Fee: $100

Deadline: The application, payment, AND prescreening repertoire must be submitted by midnight, December 1, 2025. Email YouTube links to Dr. Elena Cholakova at [email protected]

Prescreening requirements: All contestants must submit a 10- to 12-minute selection of free choice of repertoire showcasing their musical talent and technical ability. Selections are to be submitted with the application no later than midnight, December 1, 2025.

Video requirements: Videos must show solo performances only; orchestral performances will not be considered. NO EDITING is permitted — the video must clearly capture the performer at all times. All works submitted must be performed from memory.

Notification: All contestants will be notified by email of their status acceptance/alternates/non-acceptance by December 15, 2025. Twelve semi-finalists and three alternates will be chosen from all applications. Accepted contestants must reply no later than December 21, 2025, regarding participation in the live round in person at Emory University on January 24, 2026. If an accepted candidate fails to respond, an alternate will be invited to compete.

Semi-Finals and Final Round: The semi-final round of the competition will take place January 24, 2026, starting at 11:00 a.m. Contestants are allowed to play repertoire of their choice, NOT to exceed 20 minutes. The final round will take place starting at 7pm. The contestants chosen to compete in the final round are allowed to repeat some or all repertoire (not to exceed) from the prescreening and/or semi-final round. All works must be performed from memory. Repeats are optional. The contestants invited to compete live must confirm their repertoire selections upon confirmation of participation; biographies and headshots will be published on the competition web page.

Awards: Prizes will be awarded during the final live round at Emory University. The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to review. The first-place winner of the 2026 Emory Young Artist Piano Competition will not be eligible to enter the competition again in 2028.

First Prize: $3000

Second Prize: $1000

Third Prize: $500

Logistics: All students invited to compete live at Emory University must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Contestants are responsible for all travel expenses and hotel accommodations. Each contestant will be assigned warm-up time in Emerson Hall the morning of January 24, 2026. Practice rooms will be available at the Schwartz Center.

Contact

Dr. Elena Cholakova, Competition Director

Emory University: Department of Music

1804 North Decatur Road,

Atlanta, Georgia 30322

[email protected]

404-712-1194

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Host or Publisher Emory University Young Artist Piano Competition