Applications Open for The Eighth International Piano Competition
The Eighth New Tang Dynasty (NTD) International Piano Competition is cordially inviting distinguished pianists from around the world to celebrate the pure beauty and pure goodness of the classical piano in New York City.
Unlike most international piano competitions, which emphasize technical excellence and career advancement, the NTD International Piano Competition is uniquely dedicated to reviving the spiritual and cultural essence of the classical tradition—embodying pure authenticity, pure goodness, and pure beauty.
The Competition strives to bring back the glory of piano masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
Key Information
When – September 1st – 5th, 2026
Where – New York City, USA
Who – Pianists must be between the ages of 17 and 35, inclusive, at the time of the competition.
Why to join?
- Gain significant international exposure in this professionally produced, globally broadcast competition—far beyond the concert hall.
- The gold award amounts to $10,000 with a total of $25,000 in awards.
- The competition repertoire has been meticulously curated to represent the pinnacle of our human civilization, featuring piano masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras.
- Highlight of the Competition — Commissioned Composition. It is our complete privilege to have received authorization from Mr. D.F., the world-renowned Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, to adapt one of his most treasured musical works into the commissioned composition.
What you need to prepare to Apply?
- Completed Online Application Form for the NTD International Piano Competition. A legal guardian’s signature is required if the applicant is under the age of 18.
- A high-resolution color headshot photo (300 dpi or higher) taken within the past 12 months, preferably a professional profile photo suitable for publicity purposes.
- A copy of a legal, valid photo ID.
- Individual audition video(s) (approximately 10–30 minutes) (Audition video submission requirements)
What’s the repertoire, rules and other requirements?
Click here to read more
Commissioned Composition
NTD International Piano Competition is honored to receive authorization from the world-renowned composer and Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. D.F., to select one piece from his extremely precious music works created over the past 20 years and rearrange as the Commissioned Composition.
The Commissioned Composition inherits the characteristics of Shen Yun’s music, based on traditional Chinese pentatonic melodies, it uses the Western piano to express the spirit and flavor of Chinese classical music. It blends the essence of both Eastern and Western classical music, interpreting a profound sense of the divine. As epic as a grand saga, vast and magnificent, profoundly soaring the soul.
‘Holy Grace’: NTD International Piano Competition Conveys Hope in Troubled Times
Qin Yuan, an expert in transcribing ancient Chinese music for the piano, arranged “Holy Grace” from a melody authored by Mr. D.F., the Artistic Director of world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Qin shared with The Epoch Times details of the process, including pivotal moments in the score, the works that inspired her, and her vision for the composition…
AWARDS
Gold Award
1 winner | US$10,000
Silver Award
1 winner | US$6,000
Bronze Award
1 winner | US$3,000
Best Rendition Award of the Commissioned Composition
2 winners | US$3,000 each
Outstanding Performance Award
BEST MOMENTS OF 2024 NTD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
LIVE Oct. 19, Winners Concert and Awards Ceremony
LIVE Oct. 18, Finals
About Us
The New Tang Dynasty (NTD) International Piano Competition is one in a series of international cultural and arts events sponsored by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD). The mission of this competition is to promote traditional arts of pure authenticity, pure goodness and pure beauty and to bring back the glory of piano masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
The competition’s commitment to artistic excellence is a means to allow the 250-year legacy of piano literature to flourish. We believe this repertoire is a treasure of mankind and should be passed onto future generations to come.
Founded in 2001 in New York, New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD) is a global, independent, non-profit Chinese-language television network known for its cultural programming and objective news coverage. Broadcasting worldwide since 2003, NTD reaches around 100 million viewers and over 70 million digital followers through multilingual content across satellite, cable, streaming, and social platforms.
Since 2007, NTD has organized international cultural competitions promoting traditional arts and cross-cultural exchange. It is also the media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, helping share its artistic vision and cultural values with global audiences.
Global Promotion Platforms – Media Partners
NTD stands for New Tang Dynasty, is a New York-based, global television network founded in 2001. As the largest Chinese TV network in the U.S., NTD Television serves over 100 million viewers worldwide…
The Epoch Times newspaper has a weekly circulation of 1.6 million readers in 35 countries across five continents. In 23 languages, the Epoch Times has an online audience of 360 million worldwide.