2025 OCMD Steinway Piano Competition

International Competition and Materclass

The OCMD Steinway Piano Competition is scheduled for October 25–26, 2025, at OC Music and Dance

The event will culminate in an award ceremony and final prize winner performance hosted by The Park Club at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts.
The masterclass series will be held on October 26 at OC Music and Dance.

ABOUT

Orange County Music and Dance would like to announce our Steinway Piano Competition. The Orange County Music and Dance Steinway Piano Competition is dedicated to fostering the musical development of young pianists through an enriching annual event held at the OC Music and Dance in Irvine, California. The competition offers participants the chance to connect with fellow dedicated musicians, perform for world-renowned judges and receive constructive feedback.

Additionally, OC Music and Dance proudly presents a distinguished masterclass series, where students perform in a traditional masterclass setting, receiving expert guidance from internationally acclaimed pianists to prepare for competitions, university auditions, and scholarships. We are committed to recognizing talent and promoting excellence by awarding scholarships, prizes, certificates, and honors, including masterclass certificates, to inspire continued musical growth.

Competition Age Categories and Repertoire Requirements

Category 4: College/University (Ages 17–22)

• Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire, minimum of 2 contrasting pieces.

• Time Limit: 15 minutes.

Category 3: Senior (Ages 13–16)

• Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire, minimum of 2 contrasting pieces.

• Time Limit: 12 minutes.

Category 2: Junior (Ages 9-12)

• Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire, minimum of 2 contrasting pieces.

• Time Limit: 10 minutes.

Category 1: Young Talent (Ages 7 and Under)

• Repertoire: Free choice of repertoire, minimum of 2 pieces.

• Time Limit: 7 minutes.

Category 4 (College/University)

• 1st Place: $1,000

• 2nd Place: $700

• 3rd Place: $500

Category 3 (Senior)

• 1st Place: $300

• 2nd Place: $150

• 3rd Place: $100

Category 2 (Junior)

• 1st Place: $200

• 2nd Place: $150

• 3rd Place: $100

Category 1 (Young Talent)

• 1st Place: $150

• 2nd Place: $90

• 3rd Place $60

OC Music and Dance is thrilled to host a distinguished masterclass series featuring our esteemed judges. This is a unique opportunity for students to perform in a traditional masterclass setting and gain valuable insights from world-renowned pianists. The program is designed to support pianists preparing for competitions, university auditions, or scholarship applications by providing expert guidance and constructive feedback.

• Performance Expectations: Participants are expected to present professional-level piano repertoire.

• Time Limits: Performances should last 10–15 minutes, with the total masterclass session for each participant lasting 30–45 minutes, depending on the length of the selected piece.

• Memorization: All performances must be from memory.

• Certificates: Participants will receive an OC Music and Dance Masterclass Certificate upon completion.

Rules and Regulations

• Application Deadline: October 4, 2025, 11:59 PM PDT.
  The online application form and fee must be submitted together. Incomplete submissions will be rejected.

• Award Distribution: Awards, certificates, and cash prizes will be presented in person only at the award ceremony. No prizes or certificates will be mailed or delivered online.

• Performance Requirements: All pieces must be performed from memory in both the prescreening and final rounds.

• Time Limits: Contestants must adhere to the specified time limits for their category when selecting repertoire. At the judges' discretion, performances exceeding the time limit during the finals may be interrupted.

• Repertoire Standards: No simplified or abbreviated versions of compositions are permitted.

• Judging Decisions: All decisions made by the judges are final and not subject to appeal.

• Judges’ Authority: The judging panel reserves the right to:

• Withhold any prize if standards are not met.

• Divide a prize among multiple contestants.

• Halt any performance that exceeds time limits or fails to meet professional standards.

• Disqualify participants who violate competition rules, exhibit inappropriate behavior, or fail to comply with California state or federal laws.

Park Club Direction
The Park Club is located at 650 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, within the Center Tower on the ground level, adjacent to the Segerstrom Center for Performing Arts and to the left of the main concert hall. The entrance is near the valet stand, close to the parking garage, with stairs leading down to the Park Club. Signs by the fountain also guide you to the entrance. Paid parking is available.

Competition Director: Richard Kazandzhidi
OC Music and Dance
17620 Fitch #160, Irvine, CA 92614
Email: richard.kazandzhidi@OCmusicdance.org
Phone: 908-307-3224