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.

Judging

Dress Code

Contestants are required to wear conservative formal performance attire during all rounds of the competition. Required attire for gentlemen includes dark-colored suits or tuxedos; required attire for ladies is a traditional full-length gown.

General Requirements

Preliminary: 2 pieces

1. By applying to the competition, contestants acknowledge the validity of its Rules and Regulations and affiliated terms.
2. Contestants must abide by the arrangements and decisions of the Competition’s Organizing Committee. The Committee reserves the right to revoke a contestant’s eligibility and prizes if they are found to be in violation.
3. NTD is entitled to all copyrights for the text, audio, visual, and video materials produced during the competition.
4. All awards must be accepted by contestants in person at the Award Ceremony. Absence from the Award Ceremony constitutes will result in forfeiture of the awards and prizes.
5. It is the contestant’s full responsibility to handle any unexpected situations that may arise during the competition and shall bear the relevant responsibilities in accordance with the law.
6. The Organizing Committee shall have the ultimate authority to interpret the Rules and Regulations of the competition and the right to make any changes as necessary.
7. The semifinal and final rounds of the competition will be live-streamed, and an edited recording will later be broadcast as a TV special on NTD’s network.

PROFESSOR BECKY YAO

Professor Becky Yao has extensive teaching and performance experiences across New York, Korea, and the southeastern United States. After graduating from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in China, she immigrated to the United States, where she studied for four years on a full scholarship with Seymour Lipkin at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. A former lecturer in piano and music appreciation at North Georgia College and State University, she earned her M.M. in Piano Performance from Georgia State University, where she also won first prize in a piano concerto competition.

Since 2011, she has served as a professor of music at Fei Tian College. From 2008 to 2009, she was a jury member for the NTD International Chinese Piano Competition and later chaired the jury panel for the NTD International Piano Competition in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024.

JANARA KHASSENOVA

Originally from Kazakhstan, celebrated pianist Janara Khassenova studied under renowned professor Mikhail Voskresensky at the Moscow State Conservatory, where she completed her postgraduate studies. While in the United States, she earned an Artist Diploma in Piano Performance from the Longy School of Music. She has performed as a soloist and with chamber ensembles and orchestras in countries of the former Soviet Union, Italy, Greece, and the United States. She is currently a faculty member at the Bard College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Division and also teaches at her own private studio in New York City. In addition, Janara is an adjunct faculty member at Fei Tian College.

Janara has served as the artistic advisor for NTD since 2014, and hosted the music TV series “Piano Talks”. She was also invited to serve as a jury member for NTD International Piano Competition in 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024.

BRENDA CHEN

Brenda Chen graduated from McGill University in Canada with a Licentiate of Music in piano performance, where she studied under Louis-Philippe Pelletier, Marina Goglidze-Mdivani, and Dale Bartlett. She later earned an Artist Diploma from the University of Western Ontario under the guidance of the renowned Ronald Turini, a student of Vladimir Horowitz.

Brenda has built an extensive career in both solo and collaborative piano performance. Since the age of sixteen, she has performed at many venues throughout Toronto, Canada. She has worked with a wide range of musicians in Canada and Italy, ranging from instrumentalists, vocalists, and community groups to the Canadian Opera Company.

As an outstanding musician, Brenda toured with Shen Yun Performing Arts worldwide from 2020 to 2025. She is now a resident collaborative pianist in the Music Department at Fei Tian College in New York. In 2024, Brenda was appointed as a jury member for NTD International Piano Competition.

1. Noble Mission: NTD International Piano Competition is solely dedicated to preserving and revitalizing European classical piano music — the splendid legacy of Western culture, and to bringing back the glory of piano masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. By participating in this event, you will make a unique contribution to the renaissance of traditional culture.
2. Classical Selection of Repertoire: All repertoire must be from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
3. Unique 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. Two “Best Rendition Awards of the Commissioned Composition” are established for the competition.
4. Live-streaming Broadcasting: The semifinal, final and the Winners’ Concert & Awards Ceremony will all be broadcast live through the global TV networks, websites, and affiliated social media platforms of NTD and The Epoch Times, giving nearly 230 million viewers worldwide the opportunity to experience this musical event.
5. Winner’s Concert & Award Ceremony: All winners will have the honor of performing at one of New York City’s finest concert venues. This event will also be broadcast live and streamed worldwide.
6. Global Promotion Platforms: NTD International Piano Competition is the only world-class piano event hosted by a global media network. As the organizer, NTD is not only the largest overseas Chinese-language media network, but also offers programs in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and more. NTD connects with around 100 million viewers worldwide through satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcasts, streaming platforms, and magazines. Additionally, the network reaches over 70 million followers across YouTube, X, Facebook and more. NTD’s sister outlet, The Epoch Times, is published in 35 countries and regions. Across its media platforms and social channels—available in 23 languages—it reaches a global audience of 60 million readers and viewers.
7. Opportunity for Featured Interview: Award winners will have the opportunity for a featured interview and will be featured on NTD and The Epoch Times, as well as its affiliated publications and multiple social media platforms.
8. International Recognition: The high standard and unique selection of repertoire of NTD International Piano Competition has been widely acknowledged, establishing it as a major international classical piano competition worldwide. By leveraging online and offline media promotion platforms with global reach, participating pianists will have more opportunities to enhance their international recognition, thereby gaining more performance invitations and career opportunities.
9. Total Cash Awards: US$25,000

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(The 8th NTD International Piano Competition)

What is the NTD International Piano Competition?

The NTD International Piano Competition is the only world-class piano competition hosted by a global television network — New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD). The mission of the NTD International Piano Competition is to preserve and revitalize European classical piano music — the splendid legacy of Western culture and to bring back the glory of piano masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.

What is New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD)?

New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD) was founded in New York in 2001. It is the world’s first global, independent, non-profit Chinese-language television news and entertainment network established by overseas Chinese. NTD began satellite broadcasting in North America in February 2002, then expanded its 24/7 programming to Asia, Europe, and Australia in July 2003. Headquartered in New York City, NTD is internationally recognized for extensive cultural and entertainment programs that blend the best of Eastern and Western cultures, as well as for objective, timely reporting on economic, political, and cultural stories in Chinese.

NTD also produces content in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more. Across satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcasts, streaming platforms, and magazines, NTD connects with around 100 million viewers worldwide. The network also reaches more than 70 million followers across YouTube, X, Facebook, and other social platforms.

Beyond broadcasting, NTD is proud to organize the world’s largest international cultural competitions and events. Since 2007, it has launched a global series of competitions designed to promote and revive world and Chinese traditional culture and arts through large-scale, high-quality cultural programs and major events. This cultural platform—spanning Classical Chinese Dance, Vocal, Han Couture Design, Chinese Culinary, Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Violin, Piano, Oil Painting, Photography, and Beauty Pageant—advances cultural exchange between East and West and helps audiences worldwide better understand the essence of traditional Chinese and Western culture: pure authenticity, goodness, and beauty.

NTD has also been the media sponsor for Shen Yun Performing Arts , hailed as the “world’s number one show.” As Shen Yun rapidly entered the global mainstream market in just a few short years, NTD, as the exclusive television media sponsor, made an indelible contribution by broadcasting to the world the artistic essence and cultural values presented by Shen Yun.

What makes the NTD International Piano Competition special?

• Noble Mission: NTD International Piano Competition is solely dedicated to preserving and revitalizing European classical piano music — the splendid legacy of Western culture and to bringing back the glory of piano masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. By participating in this event, you will make a unique contribution to the renaissance of traditional culture.
• Classical Selection of Repertoire: All repertoire must be from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
• Unique 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. Two “Best Rendition Awards of the Commissioned Composition” are established for the competition.
• Global Reach: The semifinal, final and the Winners’ Concert & Awards Ceremony will all be broadcast live through the global TV networks, websites and affiliated social media platforms of NTD and The Epoch Times, giving nearly 230 million viewers worldwide the opportunity to experience this musical event.

Who are the judges of the NTD International Piano Competition?

All the judges are appointed by the Competition Organizing Committee. They are comprised of distinguished pianists as well as experienced piano educators. They will be solely responsible for assessing the contestants’ performances.

What specific qualities are the judges looking for?

In addition to the completeness and fluency of the performance, the judges will also focus particular attention on the following aspects:

• Technique: The contestant’s virtuosity in the mastery of tempo, dynamic, clarity and accuracy. Only with such techniques can one express music that is delicate and emotionally expressive.
• Timbre: A classical pianist with inner peace and compassion can create a rich palette of timbres.
• Artistic cultivation: A noble artistic cultivation, along with a profound understanding of the musical pieces, composers and music history enables the pianist to accurately deliver the original message and style embedded in the composition.
• Stage presence: A well-trained classical pianist should exhibit a noble and elegant stage presence, embodying the artist’s temperament, image, and professional accomplishment.

What is the application submission deadline?

All required application materials must be received by the Competition’s Organizing Committee by June 30, 2026. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

What is the age limit for contestants?

The competition is open to well-established pianists and talented students with great potential from elite music schools and conservatories who are proficient in a broad piano repertoire. Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 35, inclusive, at the time of the competition.

How much is the application fee?

A nonrefundable application fee of US$250 shall apply.

When will I be notified about the results of the audition round?

The Organizing Committee will notify applicants of their acceptance or non-acceptance via email no later than July 5, 2026. Invitations to the preliminary round will be sent to all qualified contestants which enables them to apply for a U.S. visa and register on the day of the competition.

When and how can I receive the Commissioned Composition?

The Organization Committee will email the Commissioned Composition to all qualified contestants six weeks prior to the live competition.

What media formats are acceptable for the video audition?

Applicants must submit up to three recent (within the last 24 months) unedited video recordings, either a solo performance or a concerto with an orchestra/ensemble recording. Repertoire strictly from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. The submitted video types can be an online video link (e.g., Youtube or Vimeo); a video file sharing link (e.g., Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox); or a DVD containing recording(s) of the applicant’s performance. The total length of the video(s) should be approximately 10 to 30 minutes. The recording must be of high quality, unedited and clearly show the applicant’s face and hands in the frame at all times. Any post-production handling that affects the acoustic quality of the recording must be stated.

Is it possible to submit a video recording of my performance with other musicians, an ensemble or an orchestra?

Yes, however, the video must include a solo performance by the applicant.

May I submit a video recording that includes a modern or contemporary composition?

Absolutely not. The repertoire for video recording is strictly from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.

NTD is entitled to all copyrights for the text, audio, visual and video materials produced during the competition. Am I allowed to refuse the transfer of rights for recordings of my participation?

No. Once a contestant submits the application, he or she agrees to all the rules and regulations and affiliated terms of the Competition, otherwise, he or she will not be able to participate.

Will the competition’s Organizing Committee assist with arranging airline tickets, accommodations and practice facilities during the live rounds of the competition?

No, however the Organizing Committee will recommend New York hotels and practice facilities to all qualified contestants in the live rounds of the competition.

If a contestant wins the cash prize, will any taxes be withheld?

It depends on the nationality of the winner.

No tax will be withheld for prize winners who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Winners must complete a W-9 form, which will be kept on file with NTD. This form provides the necessary information for issuing a 1099-MISC to the winner. It is the winner’s responsibility to report this income to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and file the income tax accordingly.

If the winner is either a non-resident alien in the U.S. or a citizen from another country, he or she must complete a W-8 form and the cash prize is subject to a 30% tax withholding requirement. The winner will receive IRS Form 1042-S from NTD, reporting U.S. source income by foreign persons.

However, depending on the winner’s country of residence, an exception to the withholding tax may apply if the U.S. has a tax treaty with that country.

If I have questions regarding this competition, to whom do I direct them?

You are welcome to communicate with the Organizing Committee in the following ways:

• Email: piano@ntd.com
• Hotline: 1-855-561-0888
• Mailing address: The NTD International Piano Competition
  129 W 29th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 USA