Apply to the 2026 American International Paderewski Piano Competition
February 8-14, 2026
The 2026 American International Paderewski Piano Competition seeks to showcase the world's best young pianists in a competition in one of the great cities for entertainment and the arts. The competition will be streamed live on February 8-14 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles before an elite panel of judges.
If you are between the ages of 16 and 31, we urge you to enter.
Be one of the 25 semi-finalists from around the world to experience the camaraderie of this extraordinary event. You will perform repertoire of your choice in addition to one Paderewski piece.
The 2022 Competition included 28 pianists from 13 different countries. The jury is excited to hear your performances in 2026. In addition to the top three prizes, there will be a prize for the best performance of Paderewski piece and the best performance of a contemporary work.
WE are please to present the jury for the 2026 American International Paderewski Piano Competition.
GLORIA CHENG
Grammy winning pianist
JED DISTLER
Gramophone magazine critic, pianist and composer
WOJCIECH KOCYAN
Internationally recognized pianist, pedagogue and scholar
ADAM WILBROWSKI
Former professor of Paris Conservatoire and founder of several international piano festivals
WOJCIECH SWITALA
Renowned pedagogue, Professor at the Katowice Academy of Music, Jury member of the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw
RULES
The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities between the age of 16 to 31.
25 semi-finalists will be admitted to the competition after preliminary stage via video recording.
6 pianists will be admitted to the final stage.
Preliminary stage: 20-25 minutes of video recording must be submitted by Nov. 15th, 2025.
Free choice of repertoire. Links to your recordings must be submitted with the application.
Recordings must be unedited. You may submit one continuous video, or multiple videos.
Semi-final stage repertoire: 25-30 minutes.
Mandatory one or more pieces by I. J. Paderewski, chosen from the following:
Krakowiak Op.9 No.1
Polonaise in B Major Op.9 No.6
Intermezzo Pollaca Op.14 No. 5
Cracovienne Fantastique Op.14 No.6
Legend in A-flat Major Op.16 No.1
Nocturne in B-flat Major Op.16 No.4
And a free choice of repertoire up to the time limit.
Final stage repertoire: 50-55 minutes.
Free choice of repertoire. Program from the semi-final stage must not be repeated.
Prizes:
First Prize $10,000
Second Prize $5,000
Third Prize $2,500
Special Prize for the best performance of contemporary work (written after 1970) $2,000
Special Prize for the best performance of Paderewski piece $2,000
Concerts in 2026/2027 in United States and Poland for the 1st Prize Winner
Accommodations will be provided for the contestants for the duration of the competition.
Application portal will be open from now to Nov. 15, 2025.
A non-refundable application fee of $150 will be charged at the time of application.
The international jury will consist of eminent pianists.
The Jury has the option to refrain from awarding all prizes and has the right to divide the prizes between performers. However, the first prize, if awarded, will go to only one contestant. The decisions of the Jury are final.
Foreign contestants are responsible for obtaining their travel documents and visas.
Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Competitors must not have any other professional commitments during the AIPPC-LA. No contestant may have any member of the jury or the Artistic Director as a principal teacher during the year preceding the AIPPC-LA (Feb. 2025 - Feb. 2026). Once the 25 semi-finalists are announced in Jan. 2026, the competitors must not participate in master classes or take private lessons with the jury members. No relative of any juror or the Artistic Director may participate in the AIPPC-LA.
It is the responsibility of the contestants to provide the Competition with a Social Security Number (SSN) or International Tax Identification Number (ITIN) in order to receive any prize money. Taxes will be deducted from the prizes according to U.S. tax laws in effect at the time of the Piano Competition.