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American Pianists Awards
American Pianists Awards
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The American Pianists Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring American jazz or classical pianists. Winners receive cash and two years of career advancement and support valued at over $200,000, making this one of the most coveted prizes in the music world.
MAIN OFFICE
4603 Clarendon Rd
Suite 030
Indianapolis, IN 46208
UNITED STATES
317-940-9945
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
American citizens between 18 and 30 years old.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano
PANDEMIC & SAFETY
Policy/procedures information not provided
DETAILS
Travel Covered? Yes
Frequency Biennial
First prize More than $50,000
Smallest prize $11,000 to $50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Management
Jury chair(s) Not provided
Additional jurors To be determined
Jury size 11 or more
Application deadline December 15, 2023
Application notes By nomination only. Please reach out if interested in becoming a nominator.
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Preliminary round (March 2024): The first juried stage of the American Pianists Awards, the Preliminary round is an anonymous adjudication of nominees by a distinguished panel of musicians. Five finalists are chosen based upon exceptional technical ability and unique musical personality demonstrated in the nominees’ submitted recordings.

Premiere Series (September 2024 - March 2025): Each finalist performs solo piano and a concerto with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. While in town, each also conducts a three-day residency at a local high school.
FINALS (live rounds)
Discovery Week (April 2025): The culmination of the American Pianists Awards, Discovery Week brings all five finalists together for adjudicated performances across multiple genres including solo piano, a song recital, chamber music and a concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The naming of the winner of the American Pianists Awards and Christal DeHaan Classical Fellowship immediately follows. All rounds take place in Indianapolis, IN.
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2021 Kenny Broberg, classical
2019 Emmet Cohen, jazz
2017 Drew Petersen, classical
2015 Sullivan Fortner, jazz
2013 Sean Chen, classical
2011 Aaron Diehl, jazz
2009 Grace Fong & Adam Golka, classical
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