

Eligibility
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The Competition is open for advanced pianists of all ages and nationalities.
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Registrants are not required to attend the Festival to participate in the competition
Categories
A: 12 and under
B: 13 to 17
C: 18+ (no age limit)
Age as of July 1, 2025
*Proof of age required in application
Repertoire Requirements
Category A
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2 contrasting works of your choice (only one movement for sonatas)
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Virtuoso etude by Czerny (Op.299 or Op.740 only) Moszkowski (Op.64,, Op.72, Op.92, Tarantelle Op.77 No.6) or Mendelssohn. Etude options from categories B and C are also acceptable.
Time Limit: 15 minutes
Category B:
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2 contrasting works of your choice (only one movement for sonatas)
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A work by a Latin American composer
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Virtuoso Etude by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Debussy, Ligeti, or Kapustin.
Time Limit: 20 minutes
Category C:
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2 contrasting works of your choice (only one movement for sonatas)
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A work by a Latin American composer
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Virtuoso Etude by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Debussy, Ligeti, or Kapustin.
Time Limit: 25 minutes

AUDITION PROCESS
Rules and Instructions
FIRST ROUND - ONLINE
Please carefully review each requirement before submitting your video. Treat it like a live performance!
1. Application Submission:
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Complete the Online Application Form: Fill out all required fields and submit the applicable fee.
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Include Your Audition Video Link: Provide a link (e.g., YouTube) to your recorded performance
2. Video Recording Guidelines:
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Recording Orientation: Record your video in horizontal format. Vertical videos will be automatically rejected.
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Audio Quality: Ensure that the audio is crisp and free of any background noise or distractions. Only your performance should be audible—no talking or announcements.
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Continuous Performance: The entire program must be recorded in one continuous take without stops, breaks, or cuts. This simulates a live performance environment.
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Visual Requirements: Both your hands, piano keyboard, and your face profile must be clearly visible throughout the performance. This helps the judges assess your technique and stage presence. (See example below)
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Complete Coverage: The video should capture your entire performance from start to finish.
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Piano Specifications: Acoustic Instrument only. Use a grand piano or an acoustic upright piano. Digital or electronic keyboards are not permitted. Ensure your piano is fully functional and tuned before recording.
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Memory Requirement: The complete program must be performed without the use of sheet music.
3. Submission Deadline & Finalists Selection:
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Finalist Announcement: Finalists will be announced by June 1.
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Alternate Selections: If any finalists are unable to attend the live round, alternate winners will be designated.
If you have any questions, please contact us at costaricapiano@gmail.com
We’re looking forward to listening to your inspiring performances!
Video Framing Example
FINAL ROUND - LIVE
1. Confirmation of Participation:
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Deadline: June 8
2. Competition Date:
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Live Performance: July 9
3. Repertoire:
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Contestants may choose to perform the same repertoire from the online audition or opt for a different selection with the same repertoire requirements applied for the live performance. Same time limits for each category applies.
2025 Dates and Deadlines
Registration deadline: May 18
Finalists Announcement: June 1
Finalists/Alternate Confirmation: June 8
Competition Date: July 9
Application Fee
Festival Participant: USD$100
Non-Festival Participant: USD$175
Application Documents Checklist:
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Online Application form
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Digital image of a document (government issued ID or passport) certifying the date of birth.
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Recent digital photograph (headshot) in high resolution
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Non refundable application fee
Entries will be rejected if they are late, incomplete, or damaged
JURY
First Round - Online
Final Round - Live
Prizes
Category A
First Place
- USD$500 Cash Award
- USD$600 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Second Place
- USD$250 Cash Award
- USD$300 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Third Place
- USD$150 Cash Award
- USD$150 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Honorable Mention
- Automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Category B
First Place
- USD$750 Cash Award
- USD$700 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Second Place
- USD$450 Cash Award
- USD$500 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Third Place
- USD$250 Cash Award
- USD$300 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Honorable Mention
- Automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Category C
First Place
- USD$1000 Cash Award
- USD$800 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Second Place
- USD$600 Cash Award
-USD$600 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Third Place
- USD$350 Cash Award
-USD$400 scholarship towards Festival tuition and automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF
Honorable Mention
- Automatic acceptance to 2026 CRPF




List of Latin American Composers
Argentina
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Alberto Ginastera
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Carlos Guastavino
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Alberto Williams
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Astor Piazzolla
Brazil
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Heitor Villa-Lobos
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Octavio Pinto
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Ernesto Nazareth
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Camargo Guarnieri
Mexico
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Manuel M. Ponce
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Carlos Chávez
- Silvestre Revueltas
- Blas Galindo
Colombia
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Luis Antonio Calvo
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Adolfo Mejía
- Germán Darío Pérez
- Josefa Tanco
Guatemala
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Dieter Lenhoff
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Ricardo Castillo
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Jorge Vásquez Larrazabal
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Mariano Valverde
Costa Rica
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Benjamín Gutiérrez
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Marvin Camacho
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Julio Fonseca
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Manuel Matarrita
Perú
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Enrique Iturriaga
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Pedro Seiji Asato
- Andrés Sas Orchassal
- Rosa Mercedes Ayarza de Morales
Venezuela
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Teresa Carreño
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Moisés Moleiro
- Modesta Bor
- Ramón Delgado Palacios
Cuba
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Ernesto Lecuona
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Ignacio Cervantes
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Aldo López-Gavilán
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Cecilia Arizti
Chile
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Enrique Soro
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Alfonso Leng
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Carmela Mackenna Subercaseaux
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Juan Lémann Cazabon
Uruguay
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Eduardo Fabini
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Jaurés Lamarque Pons
- Ernesto F. Cabrera
- María Inés Ponce de León
Puerto Rico
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Juan Morel Campos
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Monserrate Ferrer “Monsita”
- Alejandro García
- Oscar Hernández
Latin American piano literature is VAST. The list above represents only a brief selection of composers. For further information, please consult your teacher, research online, or contact us for additional guidance.
Past Winners
Concerto Competition
Category A
Max Fan (USA/China), Forrest Zeng (USA/China), Alí Fallas (Costa Rica), Camilla Choi (Australia)
Category B
Esteban Cruzaley (Mexico), Aidos Baibossyn (Kazakhstan), Caleb Hu (USA), Tianju Liao (China), Andrea Molteni (Italy)
Solo Competition
Category A
Isabella Xue (USA), Emma Rose Koeswandy (Australia), Francisco Cruz (Colombia), Harluki Lee (USA), Alexander Yang (USA), Jeffrey Dong (Australia/China), Sophia Fan (USA), Margaret Popova (USA), JeFauna Zhu (USA)
Category C
Marc Soong (USA), Ziyue Zeng (China), Micah Young (USA), Megan Yim (USA), Jayden Yeung (USA) and Caleb Empig (USA)
Category B
Yih Yee Chong (Malaysia), Yulia Nakashima (Japan), Ethan Feng (USA), Brian Lin (USA), Patrick Meier (Germany), Joshua Safont (USA), JeFauna Zhu (USA), Zixuan Chen (China), Jayden Yeung (USA), Dustin Zhao (USA), Juan Pablo Cardona (Colombia), Miguel Angel Londoño (Colombia), Jonas auf der Heide (Germany), Luisa Mercedes Zuñiga (Colombia)
Category D
Natalia Vanegas (Colombia), Julius Schäfer (Germany), Xu Zhou (China), Ha Nah Son (South Korea), Jose Daona (Argentina), Andres Santander (Colombia), Byuri Choi (Germany), Breno Alves de Souza (Brazil)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Application fees are non refundable
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By submitting your application, you agree to abide by all rules and conditions of the Competition.
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The Costa Rica Piano Festival reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate, modify, or suspend the Competition—or any portion thereof—and/or its rules at any time and for any reason, without prior notice.
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All recordings made during the Competition shall remain the property of the Costa Rica Piano Festival. These recordings will be retained for archival purposes and may be used for promotional materials.
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Awards will be granted solely at the discretion of the Jury. It is possible that no prizes, or split prizes be awarded.
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Any contestant found providing fraudulent or malicious information in their application will be disqualified immediately.
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Editing recordings in a manner that violates the submission guidelines, engaging in any form of misconduct, or communicating with the judges before the competition will result in disqualification.
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All participants are expected to maintain a high standard of conduct throughout the Competition. Any actions deemed detrimental to the integrity of the Competition, the organization, jury, and other participants may lead to disqualification.
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Non-Festival participants are solely responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements. The Festival will not be liable for any related expenses or inconveniences.
Competition prizes may not be combined with any other scholarship or promotion
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