Who Will Take the Stage on June 2? The PianoArts Competition Grand Finale Approaches
MILWAUKEE, WI – On June 2, three finalists in the PianoArts North American Piano Competition will perform a full concerto with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor William Eddins. Competing for prizes totaling $30,000 and future performance opportunities, this culminating performance will be held at the Bradley Symphony Center at 7:30 p.m. Names of the finalists will be announced on June 1 on the PianoArts website: www.pianoarts.org.
Pre-concert festival events begin at 4:30 p.m. with WPR’s Drivetime Classics Host, Jason Heilman. Concert goers are encouraged to come early to hear solo recitals, artist interviews, and a discussion of concertos. Tickets for the entire evening of performances are $15 and $30. Please see www.pianoarts.org for the schedule and to order tickets.
The journey for the finalists began in March, when a panel of jurors selected eight top-tier pianists, ages 17-22, to compete live in Milwaukee. (One had to withdraw because of physical injuries.) To demonstrate the full breadth of their artistry, versatility, and communication abilities, they presented solo recitals, spoke to audiences about the music, performed duos with prestigious Milwaukee Symphony violinists or cellists, and gave a lecture-recital on a concerto.
All contestants are eligible for cash prizes, totaling $35,000, financial support that will help in launching their careers. The awards are to recognize their exceptional talent in communication and artistry in the performance of a duo and works by J. S. Bach, Chopin, and a North American composer. A junior jury of high school students will choose an overall winner for their award. PianoArts also offers fellowships to select pianists to perform and teach in the organization’s education wing, Music Explorers, a collaboration with schools and some of Milwaukee’s most respected educators.
The 2026 Jury
The 2026 world-renowned jury panel includes:
- Alexander Korsantia, Chair, a recent guest artist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra;
- Simone Dinnerstein, known for her presentations on National Public Radio and many recordings;
- Marian Hahn, an avid chamber musician from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.
The preliminary jury panel was chaired by:
- Oscar Macchinoni, chair of keyboard studies at North Texas University;
- Concert pianist Sahun Hong, a 2012 PianoArts competition winner;
- Michael Mizrahi, piano faculty at Lawrence College Conservatory.
About PianoArts
The mission of PianoArts is to foster appreciation and performance of classical music by identifying and mentoring a new generation of pianists with exceptional musical and verbal communication skills and by presenting them to diverse audiences. A challenging international competition for pianists, ages 17 – 22, it has an equal emphasis on offering them support in building classical music careers while performing with professional musicians and sharing music with the broader community of diverse audiences.
Information: 414-962-3055 or Info@PianoArts.org. Festival events will be updated on a regular basis and posted on the PianoArts Website: www.PianoArts.org.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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