The winners of the 2026 Seattle International Piano Competition enjoy cash and non-cash prizes. The following list details these awards for 2026 participants.
PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
Invited finalists in the live final round in September compete for the following prizes:
- First Prize: Gold medal, $4,000 cash
- Second Prize: Silver medal, $2,500 cash
- Third Prize: Bronze medal, $1,500 cash
- Presidents’ Prize for the Best Performance of a Work by F. Chopin (one prize for a finalist of the Professional OR Collegiate Artist category), $1,000 cash, and future performance engagements
- Best Performance of an Etude by Frédéric Chopin and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a mazurka by Karol Szymanowski and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a solo work by George Gershwin (including arrangements of works by Gershwin) and $200 cash
- Audience Favorite Award
- Teachers’ Favorite Award
COLLEGIATE ARTIST
Invited finalists in the live final round in September compete for the following prizes:
- First Prize: Gold medal, $4,000 cash
- Second Prize: Silver medal, $2,500 cash
- Third Prize: Bronze medal, $1,500 cash
- Presidents’ Prize for the Best Performance of a Work by F. Chopin (one prize for a finalist of the Professional OR Collegiate Artist category), $1,000 cash, and future performance engagements
- Best Performance of an Etude by Frédéric Chopin and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a mazurka by Karol Szymanowski and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a solo work by George Gershwin (including arrangements of works by Gershwin) and $200 cash
- Audience Favorite Award
- Teachers’ Favorite Award
YOUTH, AGES 14-18
Invited finalists in the live final round in September compete for the following prizes:
- First Prize: Gold medal, $600 cash
- Second Prize: Silver medal, $450 cash
- Third Prize: Bronze medal, $350 cash
- Best Performance of an Etude by Frédéric Chopin and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a mazurka by Karol Szymanowski and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a solo work by George Gershwin (including arrangements of works by Gershwin) and $200 cash
- Audience Favorite Award
- Teachers’ Favorite Award
YOUTH, AGES 10-13
Invited finalists in the live final round in September compete for the following prizes:
- First Prize: Gold medal, $500 cash
- Second Prize: Silver medal, $350 cash
- Third Prize: Bronze medal, $250 cash
- Best Performance of an Etude by Frédéric Chopin and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a mazurka by Karol Szymanowski and $200 cash
- Best Performance of a solo work by George Gershwin (including arrangements of works by Gershwin) and $200 cash
- Audience Favorite Award
- Teachers’ Favorite Award
YOUTH, AGES 9 AND UNDER
Invited winners during the Seattle International Piano Festival winners’ concert on September 26, 2026 compete for the following prizes:
- Gold medal (each winner will represent an unranked gold medalist)
- Best Performance of a Sonata movement by W.A. Mozart and a $100 gift card
- Best Performance of an Etude by Frédéric Chopin
- Best Performance of a mazurka by Karol Szymanowski
- Best Performance of a solo work by George Gershwin (including arrangements of works by Gershwin)
- Audience Favorite Award
- Teachers’ Favorite Award
All winners, finalists and semi-finalists will be listed on the website; the instructors of all finalists and winners will also be listed on the Master Teachers page.
Local area finalists and semi-finalists may have future opportunities including engagements in future fund raising events and concerts.
The SIPF reserves the right to amend or augment the above listed prizes at any time at its sole discretion.