Welcome to the IPPA
International Piano Competition
The IPPA International Piano Competition has been a globally recognized competition since 2019. Thousands of pianists from more than thirty countries have participated through IPPA’s growing international network. Live competitions take place across regions including the UK, United States, Canada, Turkey, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, with more divisions added each year. Pianists advance through Preliminary and (Semifinal) National rounds, with Gold Award winners from each division invited to compete in the prestigious International Final Round, which takes place every other year. There, IPPA provides Orchestra Engagement Award and substantial prize awards, fulfilling its mission to build a truly international piano community and support the next generation of pianists worldwide.
Preliminary Round
All preliminary rounds are held online via video submission for pre-screening.
Fees & Deadlines: Application fees and deadlines vary region; please check the specific requirements for your division.
Collegiate Students: Piano performance majors are exempt from the preliminary round and may apply directly to the semifinal or national round.
IPPA Showcase: Candidates who qualify for the IPPA Outstanding Pianist Showcase are eligible to proceed directly to the national round.
Previous Finalists: Candidates who reached the 2024 International Final Round are qualified to proceed directly to the 2026 national round.
Semifinal/National Round
Live competitions take place across regions including the UK, United States, Canada, Turkey, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, with more divisions added each year.
In-Person Division: Application fees and competition dates vary region. Please consult your specific division’s page for local details.
Online Division: This division is open to applicants worldwide, providing a flexible alternative for those without a near in-person location. It maintains the same high standards and judging criteria as our live events.
Go to Online Division
Final Round
Pianists advance through Preliminary and (Semifinal) National rounds, with Gold Award Winners from each division invited to compete in the prestigious International Final Round, which takes place every other year.
International Final Round:
In-person: July 15th to 17th, 2026
Location: Swarthout Recital Hall, University of Kansas, United States
Online: June 20th to 30th, 2026
Finalists participating online will be scheduled the IPPA team for a live online performance between June 20 and June 30. Pre-recorded performances are not permitted. The Online Final Round will be adjudicated separately from the in-person Final Round, with separate awards for each category.
Go to Final Round
Categories and Repertoire
Young Artist Category
This is a category for piano students who are at a more amateur level and who are not aiming for piano major as career.
Group A: Age 16 to 17
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 13 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group B: Age 14 to 15
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 7 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 12 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group C: Age 12 to 13
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 6 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round:1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 11 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group D: Age 10 to 11
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 6 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 7 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 10 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group E: Age 8 to 9
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 5 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 6 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 8 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group F: Age 6 to 7
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 4 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 5 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round:1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 6 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Professional Artist Category
This is a category for pianists who are professionally trained and are aiming for a career as a concert pianist and/or professional music educator.
Group A: Adult (Age 18–32)
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 12 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 15 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1, A solo recital of 21 to 25 minutes which includes at least 3 works of different styles. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group B: Age 14-17
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 10 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1, A solo recital of 17-20 minutes which includes at least 3 works of different styles. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group C: Age 10-13
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round In Person: 1, A recital of 16 to 19 minutes which includes at least 3 works of different styles. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Chamber Music Category
Adult Piano Duo / Duets: Average age above 18 years old
Preliminary Round :One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: Free choice from three different periods; one of them must be the Classical period. No more than 20 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Youth Piano Duo / Duets:
Group A: Average age 13-17
Preliminary Round: One piece of choice, not exceeding the max duration 6 mins.
National Round: 1 or 2 pieces of choice, not exceeding the max duration 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece(s) as previous round.
International Final Round: 1 or 2 choices not exceeding the max duration of 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Group B: Average Age 8-12
Preliminary Round: One piece of choice, not exceeding the max duration 5 mins.
National Round: 1 or 2 pieces of choice, not exceeding the max duration 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece(s) as previous round.
International Final Round: 1 or 2 choices not exceeding the max duration of 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Adult Chamber Group:(Piano with string or woodwind) Average ages above 18 years old.
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: Free choices from three different periods. No more than 20 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Youth Chamber Group: (Piano with string or woodwind) Average ages no more than 18 years old
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 6 mins.
National Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
International Final Round: 1-2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 12mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Age Eligibility Restriction
For 2026 preliminary round and national round, all contestants must meet the age requirements at July 1st, 2026. Their current age before July 1st, 2026, will determine the category they must compete in. For example, if the student turns 18 on July 1st or after, he/she will compete in the adult category.
Special Reminder for Final Round: Participants advancing to the 2026 International Final Round Competition will be automatically regrouped based on their age as of July 1, 2026. If they exceed the age limit for their group at that time, they will not be eligible to register. Participants are advised to pay special attention during the initial registration.
Previous Gold Prize winners in the Young Artist Category who turn 18 July 1, 2026 and in the Professional Artist Category who reach age 32 July 1, 2026 are not eligible to compete in the final round.
(In-person) Final Round Awards
Note: please be aware, all cash prizes for the IPPA Conero Piano Competition will be delivered via check (U.S. only) or bank transfer. PayPal is also available. Prize recipients are responsible for paying any money transfer fees that may be incurred; depending on the transfer method, the amount received may be less than the face value of the prize.
Orchestra Engagement
The First Prize winner of the Professional Artist Category A (ages 18–32) will be invited to perform with the orchestra at the 2027 IPPA International Conero Piano Festival.
Date: August 1st to 10th, 2027
Location: Recanati, Italy
Cash Award
Professional Artist Category
Adult (Group A)
First Place: USD 2,000 USD
Second Place: 800 USD
Third Place: 300 USD
Professional Artist Category
Youth (Groups B/C)
First Place: 1000 USD
Second Place: 300 USD
Third Place: 200 USD
Young Artist Category
First Place: 200 USD
Second Place: 100 USD
Third Place: 50 USD
Chamber Music Category
First Place (each group) 200 USD
Beethoven Category
Professional Beethoven Group (ages 18–32)
🏆 First Prize: $1,000
Senior Beethoven Group (ages 14–17)
🏆 First Prize: $300
Junior Beethoven Group (ages 10–13)
🏆 First Prize: $200
Certificate and Trophy
All finalists will recieve in-depth comments from final round judges and a certifictate.
Professional Artist Category
The First, Second and Third Place Winners of each group will receive a trophy.
Young Artist Category
The First, Second and Third Place Winners of each group will receive a plaque.
Chamber Music Category
The First Place Winners of each group will receive a plaque.
Beethoven Category
The First, Second and Third Place Winners of each group will receive a trophy.
All finalists in Beethoven Category will receive Beethoven Medallions.
Online Final Awards
Honor Recital and Award Ceremony: The first and second place winners in all categories will be invited to Recanati, Italy for the Award Ceremony and Honor Recital during the IPPA Conero International Piano Festival ( August 1st to 10th). All participants will receive a digital certificate and detailed comments from the jury. There are no fees to participate in the Honor Recital, but all invited prizewinners must cover their travel and accommodation expenses.
Note: please be aware, all cash prizes for the IPPA Conero Piano Competition will be delivered via check (U.S. only) or bank transfer. PayPal is also available. Prize recipients are responsible for paying any money transfer fees that may be incurred; depending on the transfer method, the amount received may be less than the face value of the prize.
Young Artist Category
1st Place Winner of each group: $500 USD (including $100 cash award and $400 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
2nd Place Winner of each group: $300 USD (including $50 cash award and $250 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
3rd Place Winner of each group: $200 USD festival scholarship for ALL IPPA Festival.
Cash prizes for First Place winners are provided courtesy of 1on1 Piano. (All other awards and scholarships are provided IPPA)
Professional Artist Category
Adult (Group A)
1st Place Winner: $1500 USD (including $300 cash award and $1200 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
2nd Place Winner: $800 USD (including $200 cash award and $600 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
3rd Place Winner: $500 USD (including $100 cash award and $400 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
Youth (Groups B/C)
1st Place Winner: $1000 USD (including $200 cash award and $800 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
2nd Place Winner: $500 USD (including $100 cash award and $400 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
3rd Place Winner: $300 USD (including $50 cash award and $250 festival scholarship) for ALL IPPA Festival.
Cash prizes are provided courtesy of 1on1 Piano. (All other awards and scholarships are provided IPPA)
Chamber Music Category
1st Place Winner of Each group: $100 USD cash prize.
(Cash prizes for ensemble categories are awarded per group and shall be shared among all members.)
Competition Regulations
- The 2025-2026 IPPA Conero International Piano Competition consists of three rounds: the Preliminary Round and National Round, which will take place from March 2025 to May 2026, and the International Final Round, which will be held in July 2026.
- The Preliminary round and National round of the 2025 and 2026 IPPA International Piano Competition has Indonesia Division, China Division, United States Division, Canada Division, Turkey Division, South America Division and Online Division (For all the other countries). Please double-check the dates and rules in your division.
- Preliminary round and National round competition will apply to the division’s own rules. International final round will apply the common rules and regulations for all candidates.
- Preliminary Round and National Round Competitions are organized individual organization, the organization should be authorized IPPA. International Final Round competition is operated IPPA Headquarter in the United States.
- Participating in each round of competition are voluntary; eligible candidates should complete the application and submit the fee before the deadline.
- If applying for more than one category in the competition, applicants must complete separate applications and pay the required fees for each category.
- All divisions in the National Round Competition and International Final Round Competition should be performed from memory except Chamber Division.
- Piano concertos, self-composed pieces, or transcriptions done the performer are not accepted in solo repertoire.
- Repeats are not required except the place marked with D.C.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- Changes would not be allowed once the repertoires are submitted.
- The IPPA Team retains copyright of performance video, audio, and pictures of the competition and the award ceremony. The IPPA Team has the legal right to use these materials.
- The competition committee reserves all the right for the final interpretation of the regulations.
- Competition awards will be subject to applicable taxes and transfer fees. Recipients must complete tax paperwork when required in order to receive the award. If recipient is not responsive to emails about payment method for receiving the prize, it will be sent via PayPal to the email address on the application. If the payment is unclaimed within 30 days, the prize has been lost.
- Candidates in the preliminary round and national rounds will compete only against candidates in their own divisions (E.g., Canada candidates will compete against Canada candidates). The final round will be international and will include all selected finalists from all divisions.
- Candidates are required to join the division they reside in. If they do not reside in the specific divisions, they will need to join the Other Countries division.
- From the national round, every Division’s candidates need to achieve Gold Award to proceed to the international final round. This will apply to all of the categories.
- Finalists who participate Online National Round Competition and Online International Final Round Competition, will receive electronic certificates and comments.
- Any eligible candidates can proceed either in-person or online competition. However, they will apply to each award rules in either online or in-person competition.
- Compositions for “prepared piano” are not permitted.
- All the online and in-person International Final Round Competition apply the same repertoire and category rules.
- Any misrepresentation a candidate will result in automatic disqualification.
- In case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances, IPPA reserves the right to modify competition procedures as necessary.
- The IPPA organization holds the exclusive right to deny entry or remove any participants from the event at its discretion, at any time, and for any reason.