Regulation - Live Division
 

Eligibility and Participation:

1. The Competition is open to musicians in all ages and all nationalities.

2. All applicants can participate in more than one category. The fee and application must be submitted separately.

3. All applicants can apply for both Live and Online competitions.

Instruments: Piano, Strings, Woodwind, Voice, Chamber Groups

Categories:

Prodigy I (Age Under 6)

​Prodigy II (Age 6-7)

Junior I (Age 8-9)

Junior  II (Age 10-11)

Young Musician I (Age 12-13)

Young Musician II (Age 14-15)

Emerging Artist (Age 16-17)

Professional Artist (Age 18-35)

Professional Composers (Age 16 and up)

Amateur (Age 18 and up)

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(For Program Requirements of each category, please see the Repertoire page)

Application Deadline and Fee:

1. The application must be submitted by August 25, 2026. Submissions must be on time to be accepted.

2. A non-refundable application fee of 170 USD is due with the application.

Video Submission:

1. The video should be uncut and unedited (without effects, zoom, titles, or fades).

2. The video recording should be of good technical quality (no dynamic compression)

3. Works may be recorded in one take or separately.

4. All works must be performed by memory (Except for the Amateur Category. Performing by memory is OPTIONAL for the Amateur Category)

5. Contestants may perform with or without repeat as long as the performance duration meets the requirement (for the time range of each category, please refer to the Repertoire page).

6. One or more works may be performed. 

7. Videos may be uploaded on Youtube, Youku, Bilibili, and other platforms upon request.

After Preliminary Submission & On Competition Day

Invitation to The Final Round:

1. Preliminary Round decisions will be made, and Invitations to the Final Round will be sent by August 30, 2026.

2. Judges will invite contestants from each category to the Final Round in Los Angeles.  

Program:

1. The final Round program can either be the same as the Preliminary round or different.

2. Contestants may perform with or without repeat as long as the performance duration meets the requirement (for the time range of each category, please refer to the Repertoire page)

3. All works must be performed by memory (Except for the Amateur Category. Performing by memory is OPTIONAL for the Amateur Category)

Schedule of Performance:

1. All contestants must arrive at the performance venue at least an hour before their assigned time slot.

2. Warmup rooms with pianos might be available for all the contestants.

3. The competition committee will draw the order of each contestant’s performance, which also reserves the right to make any necessary changes.

Judging Criteria:

The judging criteria for the competition include, but are not limited to:

• Technique

• Musicality

• Interpretation

• Stage presence

• Overall performance

Awards & Prizes:

Scholarship Prizes, Certificate of Diploma, Trophy, Winner’s Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Music Festivals at Juilliard & Colburn. 

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Other Rules:

*Competitors must wear appropriate concert attire.

*The live competition will be open to the family and friends of all contestants.

*Competitors may not communicate with the judges during the competition.

*All decisions made by the judges are final.

*Competitors who do not adhere to the rules and regulations of the competition may be disqualified.

*The Competition is not responsible for the contestant’s cost of travel, meals, lodging, or other expenses.