The Golden Piano Talents Competition is recognized as one of the world’s largest and most
prestigious piano competitions, attracting contestants from around the globe.
The competition is completely ONLINE, with the winnerslive performances on Golden Piano Talents Festival in North Macedonia at the magnificent Bezisten Hall in Štip, a 16 th -century acoustical art gallery (Grand Ceremony winners Concert and Recitals). It will be on on 18 & 19
September 2026.
It offers a unique international platform for showcasing exceptional pianists and supporting their
artistic and professional development.
Piano teachers are highly respected as a central and essential influence in every pianist’s musical
journey and are therefore also awarded.
The organization is committed to maintaining the highest international professional
standards, inspiring pianists, teachers, and audiences alike by fostering a deep love for piano
and music in general.
Over the past four editions, 165 winners across different disciplines have performed at the the
Golden Piano Talents Festivals in North Macedonia, carefully selected by an international
jury composed of esteemed pianists and renowned piano pedagogues, and 24 of them had
amazing solo recitals.
With great respect, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all pianists and teachers who participated
in previous editions of the Golden Piano Talents Competition, especially the winners who
performed at the Golden Piano Talents Festivals from 2022 to 2025.

The Competition is organized entirely ONLINE. Winners will be invited to perform live in
North Macedonia at the Golden Piano Talents Festival – 18 &19 September 2026.
• More than 40 pianists will be invited to perform live at the Festival concerts.
• Five selected high-ranked pianists will receive the opportunity to present individual
recital concerts (approximately 30 minutes each) during the festival.
• Senior Categories winners (Professional disciplines) will receive the opportunity to
present lectures during the festival
• Pianists and their piano teachers who join the Grand Ceremony Concert are awarded
plaques, medals, trophies, certificates, gifts, cash prizes for the winners.
• Piano teachers are highly respected as a central and essential influence in every pianist’s
musical journey and are therefore also awarded.
• All pianists and teachers who apply the competition online will be awarded with an
award certificate.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Open to all pianists – all ages, nationalities, levels, and styles
• Participation via video submission
• Application deadline: May 5 th , 2026
• A motivational and friendly competition
• Evaluated by an international jury of renowned pianists and professors
• Challenge for piano teachers

AWARDS for PIANISTS, TEACHERS and SCHOOLS

PIANISTS` AWARD CERTIFICATE:

No limit on awards – many pianists may receive:
 Golden Grand First Prize: 100 points
 Grand First Prize winners: 98–99,99 points
 1 st Prize: 90 – 97,99 points
 2 nd Prize: 80 – 89,99 points
 3 rd Prize: 70 – 79,99 points
 Special awards and honorable mentions
Golden Laureate Award – Cash prize: 35,000 MKD – The Best from all Golden Grand First
Prize Winners – (if he is not able to come to the festival, the cash prize will be sent).
Golden Teacher Award – Cash Prize: 10,000 MKD (Highest number of highest awarded
students). (if he is not able to come to the festival, the cash prize will be sent).
 Special Prizes in each category:

• Promising Young Pianist Awards (Many winners per category)
• Special Awards for outstanding performances of: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin,
  Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Czerny, Clementi, Gillock, Diabelli, and more
• Best performance of Macedonian composer
• Best performance of Etude, Sonata/Sonatina, and Concert Performance
  Awards

Golden Piano Talents – Festival Participants Awards:
 Plaques, medals, trophies, certificates, gifts,
 Opportunity to present solo recitals at the festival.
 Opportunity for the senior categories – professional disciplines to present a lecture.
 Cash prizes for the winners (Laureat and the best teacher). (if they are not able to come to
the festival, the cash prize will be sent after the Festival).
 The Golden Laureate will have a paid accommodation.
 Recommendation letters that may serve as a valuable reference when applying for
scholarships, grants, or sponsorships to support participation in the Golden Piano Talents
Festival or other educational and artistic programs.

Certificates for all teachers:

• Golden Piano Teacher Award for outstanding pedagogical achievement.
• Selected teachers will get a certificate:
• Golden Piano Teacher – Special Award with honors and
• Golden Piano Teacher – Special Award with High honors.

 Invitations to accompany the invited students at the Festival.
 Golden Teacher Award (highest number of highest awarded students)
o cash prize of 10,000 MKD
o Invitation to serve as a jury member in the next edition (paid activity)
o Awards at the festival: Plaque, gifts, certificate

 Invitations to accompany the invited students at the Festival.
 Golden Teacher Award (highest number of highest awarded students)
o cash prize of 10,000 MKD
o Invitation to serve as a jury member in the next edition (paid activity)
o Awards at the festival: Plaque, gifts, certificate

Certificate Award for Excellence in Music Teaching

Golden Grand Prize (100 points – professional disciplines)

 Grand Prize winners (98–99,99 points – professional disciplines)
 Senior Disciplines: Winners (from professional disciplines) of 96 points or more
 Teachers play a vital role in the success of their students and are also invited to the Grand
Ceremony Concert and the Festival.
 Selected pianists with first awards (they will be contacted personally)
 Invitations will be published with the results.
Information about the Festival is published below.

COMPETITION DISCIPLINES
 Piano – Classical Music – Professional Discipline
 Chamber Music (piano included) – Professional Discipline
 Concert Performance (with orchestra or piano accompaniment) – Professional Discipline
 Popular Music (Pop, Rock, Jazz, Traditional, etc.)
 Student–Professor (student soloist with teacher accompaniment)
 Piano Lovers (late beginners, hobbyists, amateurs)

AGE CATEGORIES and PROGRAM– 2026
Junior Categories – Free program
 Pre-Baby – Born 2019 and later – max. 5 min
 Baby – Born 2018 – max. 5 min
 Pre Category – Born 2017 – max. 7 min
 First Category – Born 2015–2016 – max. 8 min
 Second Category – Born 2013–2014 – max. 10 min
 Third Category – Born 2011–2012 – max. 13 min
 Fourth Category – Born 2009–2010 – max. 15 min
Senior Categories – Free program
 Fifth Category – Born 2007–2008 – max. 20 min
 Sixth Category – Born 2005–2006 – max. 25 min
 Seventh Category – Born 2004 and older – max. 30 min
Shorter programs are accepted. If the program is longer, please inform us in advance.

CHAMBER MUSIC:
 Open to ensembles including 4-hands piano, 6-hands piano, duos, trios, etc., with
piano included.
 Category placement is determined by the age of the oldest member.
 The program is free.
 Competitors are allowed to use sheet music.
STUDENT – PROFESSOR CATEGORY:
 Open to student soloists performing with their mentor (mentor on piano secondo).
This is exceptional opportunity for the piano beginners.
 Category is determined by the student’s age.
 The program is free.
 Competitors may use sheet music.

VIDEO SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
 Program performed from memory
(except Chamber Music & Student–Professor categories)
 Videos uploaded to YouTube or Bilibili (Unlisted or Public)
 Accepted recordings: 2025 and 2026
 Pianist must be fully visible (hands and face)
 Recording may be edited between pieces, not within a piece
 The competition reserves the right to publish videos on official platforms

COMPETITION RESULTS:
 Results will be published approximately one month after the application deadline, but it
depends on the number of contestants and can be longer.
For more information, please follow our official channels and social media platforms.
After the results, the Winners can apply for: (application is free of charge)
 Performances at the Grand Ceremony Concert at the Festival (1 piece or 2 if they are short)

 Recital at the Festival (max.30 minutes, but we are flexible if it is longer, simply inform us)
The Jury Panel consists of internationally recognized pianists and piano pedagogues.

PAYMENT INFORMATION
Payments are accepted online only via the application form.
Participation Fees
 Pre-Baby: €40
 Baby: €45
 Pre Category: €45
 First Category: €50
 Second Category: €55
 Third Category: €60
 Fourth Category: €65
 Fifth Category: €70
 Sixth Category: €70
 Seventh Category: €80
 За Македонските пијанисти има посебна цена и жиро сметка, ве молиме да
побарате информации на емаил.

Chamber Music (per performer)
 Pre-Baby to Third Category: €50 per piano duo or €60 for groups of 3 or more members
in total
 Fourth to Seventh Category: €60 per piano duo or €80 for groups of 3 or more members
in total
Special Discounts:
 Discounts are available for groups of pianists
 Discounts are available for socially disadvantaged applicants, with the submission of
an official document verifying their status.
 Groups of pianists can pay by a bank account.
 For any information, please contact: goldenpianotalents@gmail.com
 За Македонските пијанисти има посебна цена и жиро сметка, ве молиме да
побарате информации на емаил.

The organizational team reserves the right to modify conditions if necessary to ensure the smooth
and successful realization of the event.

Golden Piano Talents Festival
A Unique Global Stage for the awarded Young Pianists and Piano Educators
The Golden Piano Talents Festival is a prestigious and unique international platform dedicated
to celebrating ones of the best young piano talents in the world and the devoted teachers behind
their success.
More than a concert series, the festival is a celebration of artistry, inspiration, cultural
exchange, and lifelong friendships, held in a historic acoustic hall filled with youthful musical
energy.

A Global Celebration of Musical Excellence
Over four unforgettable editions, Štip, North Macedonia, has blossomed into a rising center of
musical culture through the Golden Piano Talents Festival.
We have proudly welcomed 165 outstanding pianists from around the world.

• 165 winners of different disciplines in the Golden Piano Talents Competition from all over the
  world have performed at our Grand Ceremony Concerts, carefully selected by an
  international jury composed of esteemed pianists and renowned piano pedagogues.
• 24 pianists have been honored with full recital invitations.
   We are a unique piano festival which awards the teachers as an essential part of the life
  of each pianist.
• Pianists and their teachers have received plaques, medals, trophies, financial awards,
  and special gifts.
  Each year, performances take place in the historic 16 th -century Bezisten Hall, where piano
  music resonates through ancient stone walls – a breathtaking celebration of musical brilliance.
  Festival Program includes:
   Grand Ceremony Winners` Concert
   Recitals of awarded pianists
   Concert of Macedonian young pianists
   Lectures
   Award Ceremony
  AWARDS for the GRAND CEREMONY CONCERT
  PARTICIPANTS (Pianists and Teachers)
   Plaques, medals, trophies, certificates, and gifts. Cash prizes for the winners (if they are
  not able to come to the festival, the cash prize will be sent.)
   Opportunity to present a solo recital at the festival.
   All pianists who perform at the festival and their teachers will be awarded.
   Opportunity for the senior categories – professional disciplines to present a lecture.
   All pianists and teachers participating in the festival may attend with their families.
   Entrance is free.

VENUE
The Grand Ceremony Concert will take place at the magnificent Bezisten Hall in Štip, North
Macedonia, a 16 th -century acoustical art gallery – 18 & 19 September 2026.
(Venue subject to change if necessary.)

The festival is proudly supported by the Municipality of Štip and Mayor Mr. Ivan Jordanov.
Special thanks to Faculty of Music – University “Goce Delcev” – Stip, EAM – maici, Hotel Park,
DMUC “Sergej Mihajlov” and Mangala.

FOLLOW US:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076414504605
https://www.instagram.com/goldenpianotalents.competition/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073895233908
https://www.tiktok.com/@golden.piano.talents
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtPNfeeBiwjuZs5IrK04AVQ

We wish you good luck!
Organization: International Association for cultural development and education – Art Fest