2025 OCMD Steinway Piano Competition

Competition and Festival

The OCMD Steinway Piano Competition is scheduled for October 25–26, 2025, at OC Music and Dance, located at 7620 Fitch #160, Irvine, CA 92614.

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.

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.

ABOUT

Competition and Festival Schedule

Prescreening
Applications must be submitted by October 4, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Finalists will be selected based on video prescreening submissions. Applicants will be notified of prescreening results within three days of the submission deadline.

Competition Finals
The in-person finals will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at OC Music and Dance from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A detailed schedule will be provided to finalists after their prescreening notifications.

Festival Masterclass
The masterclass is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2025, at OC Music and Dance from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Award Ceremony and Prize Winner Recital
All finalists will be invited to attend an award ceremony and prize winner recital will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2025, hosted by The Park Club at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Certificates, trophies, and cash prizes will be awarded for each age category. 

Competition Age Categories and Repertoire Requirements

Category 1: Young Talent (Ages 8 and Under)

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

  • Time Limit: 7 minutes.

Category 2: Junior (Ages 9–12)

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

  • Time Limit: 10 minutes.

Category 3: Senior (Ages 13–16)

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

  • Time Limit: 12 minutes.

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

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

  • Time Limit: 15 minutes.

Prescreening Instructions

Prescreening Instructions

  • Performance: Submit a video of one composition of your choice. You may perform the same piece in the competition or choose a different one.

  • Instrument: Perform on a live grand or upright piano. Electronic pianos are not allowed.

  • Video Requirements:

    • Record horizontally.

    • Show contestant’s face, hands, and feet.

    • Perform from memory.

    • Ensure no background noise, conversations, or talking.

    • Submit as a public YouTube link.

    • Video must be unedited and original.

  • Compliance: Failure to follow these video requirements may result in disqualification.

Rules and Regulations

Application Deadline: October 11, 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.