About
The Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition includes live Final Round performances, The Charly Prizewinners' Concert, masterclasses, lessons, workshops, chamber ensembles, and other performance opportunities. The Final Round takes place June 24–25, 2026, and The Charly Prizewinners' Concert is scheduled for June 26, 2026, at 2 pm in Merkin Hall. Competition winners are required to perform at the Winners Showcase Concert at Kaufman Music Center's Merkin Concert Hall on Friday, June 26, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Application portal opens November 1; application deadline is February 1; preliminary round results are announced March 1; semifinal round (video submission) is April 1; finalists are announced May 1; the Final Round takes place June 24–25, 2026; The Charly Prizewinners' Concert is June 26, 2026
• Price: The Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash prizes. 2026 Cash Prizes: Senior Division (Ages 15–18): First Prize – $4500; Second Prize – $2500; Third Prize – $1000. Junior Division 2 (Ages 11–14): First Prize – $2000; Second Prize – $1000; Third Prize – $500. Junior Division 1 (Up to age 10): First Prize – $500; Second Prize – $350; Third Prize – $250.
The competition is open to young pianists up to age 18, and applications for the 2026 competition (June 24–26) open November 1. Past First Prize winners are not permitted to compete in the same category. The competition may be broadcast live or may be recorded and videotaped for subsequent broadcast, video, or audio recording use, and it gives winners the opportunity to perform in New York's Merkin Hall.
The Artistic Director is Igal Kesselman. The 2026 jury includes Igal Kesselman, HaeSun Paik, Zhe Tang, Shai Wosner, and Pierre van der Westhuizen.
Last updated January 22, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Schedule: Application portal opens November 1; application deadline is February 1; preliminary round results are announced March 1; semifinal round (video submission) is April 1; finalists are announced May 1; the Final Round takes place June 24–25, 2026; The Charly Prizewinners' Concert is June 26, 2026
• Price: The Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash prizes. 2026 Cash Prizes: Senior Division (Ages 15–18): First Prize – $4500; Second Prize – $2500; Third Prize – $1000. Junior Division 2 (Ages 11–14): First Prize – $2000; Second Prize – $1000; Third Prize – $500. Junior Division 1 (Up to age 10): First Prize – $500; Second Prize – $350; Third Prize – $250.
The competition is open to young pianists up to age 18, and applications for the 2026 competition (June 24–26) open November 1. Past First Prize winners are not permitted to compete in the same category. The competition may be broadcast live or may be recorded and videotaped for subsequent broadcast, video, or audio recording use, and it gives winners the opportunity to perform in New York's Merkin Hall.
The Artistic Director is Igal Kesselman. The 2026 jury includes Igal Kesselman, HaeSun Paik, Zhe Tang, Shai Wosner, and Pierre van der Westhuizen.
Last updated January 22, 2026.
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