We're coming to you LIVE from Calgary, Alberta, for the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition. Open to pianists aged 24 to 30, the Gold Laureate will receive a $100,000 CAD cash award.

The Silver Laureate will be awarded $40,000 CAD; and the Bronze Laureate will win $20,000 CAD. All seven Semifinalists will receive $2,500 CAD each. Other prizes include the Audience Award and the Best Performance of Commissioned Work — both valued at $2,500 CAD.

Additionally, the competition will provide Laureates with the Artist Development Program, involving a comprehensive, three-year artistic development and career accelerator program tailored to the Laureates’ goals.

This year's candidates are:

  • Ádám Balogh, 28
  • Elia Cecino, 24
  • Carter Johnson, 29
  • Giorgio Lazzari, 25
  • Sandro Nebieridze, 24
  • Chaeyoung Park, 28
  • Élisabeth Pion, 29
  • Anastasia Vorotnaya, 30
  • Derek Wang, 27
  • Yuanfan Yang, 28

The jury members for the semi-final and final rounds comprise Philippe Bianconi, Jenny Bilfield, Janina Fialkowska, Leila Getz, Anne-Marie McDermott, Roberto Plano, and Awadagin Pratt.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE:

Semifinals I: Candidates perform a 60-minute self programed solo recital which must include at least one work from an under-represented composer

Session 1 | October 16 at 3 PM (ET)

  • Derek Wang
  • Carter Johnson

Session 2 | October 16 at 9 PM (ET)

  • Yungfan Yang
  • Adám Balogh

Session 3 | October 17 at 3 PM (ET)

  • Élisabeth Pion
  • Elia Cecino

Session 4 | October 17 at 9 PM (ET)

  • Chaeyoung Park
  • Anastasia Vorotnaya

Session 5 | October 18 at 3 PM (ET)

  • Giorgio Lazzari
  • Sandro Nebieridze

 

Semifinals II: Candidates perform a 65 minute recital which includes a newly commission work by Iman Habibi and two works for cello and piano with Rachel Mercer

Session 6 | October 18 at 9 PM (ET)

  • Derek Wang
  • Carter Johnson

Session 7 | October 19 at 3 PM (ET)

  • Yungfan Yang
  • Adám Balogh

Session 8 | October 19 at 9 PM (ET)

  • Élisabeth Pion
  • Elia Cecino

Session 9 | October 20 at 3 PM (ET)

  • Chaeyoung Park
  • Anastasia Vorotnaya

Session 10 | October 20 at 9 PM (ET)

  • Giorgio Lazzari
  • Sandro Nebieridze

Finals I: Candidates perform a piano quintet with the Isidore String Quartet

Piano Quintet Round | October 23 at 9 PM (ET)

 

Finals II: Candidates perform any concerto composed after 1791 with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra led by conductor Elias Grandy

Concerto Round | October 24 at 9 PM (ET)