The New York International Piano Competition Returns to Manhattan School Of Music

The New York International Piano Competition (TheNYIPC), under the auspices of the Stecher & Horowitz Foundtion, returns to Manhattan School of Music for its Ninth Year, June 18 - 22. This biennial event is open to pianists of all nationalities between the ages of 16 to 22. This year, 22 pianists will be competing. No pianist is eliminated throughout the competition's four rounds, a first in the world of competitions.

All rounds of the competition, taking place in the morning and afternoon, are free and the public is invited to attend. Please visit the New York International Piano Competition (thenyipc.org) website for a complete schedule. Pianists also are coached and compete in ensemble rounds (one piano, four-hands) as well as perform in master classes conducted by a member of the jury. This year's jury is comprised of Tony-Il Han (South Korea), Lydia Artymiw (US), Ian Hobson (UK/US), John O'Connor (Ireland), Esther Park (US) and Janet Lopinski (Canada).

A unique feature of the NYIPC is the commissioning of new works by American composers. This year's composer is Gregory Spears, a BMI and ASCAP-winning composer renowned for his operas "Fellow Travelers" and "Paul's Case," who will be a guest during a seminar hosted by Robert Sherman to take place on Thursday, June 21 at 7pm. Among the competition's past composers include Gabriela Lena Frank, Avner Dorman, John Musto and Lowell Lieberman.

Prizes and awards totaling $50,000 will be awarded at an Awards Ceremony and Special Winners's Concert on Friday, June 22 at 7pm.

In addition, the winning pianists will also be presented in concerts throughout New York and Connecticut. Past winners of the New York In?ternational Piano Competition maintain active careers as performers, collaborative pianists, composers and pedagogues and ?include Kate Liu, Charlie Albright, Michael Brown and Esther Park.

All sessions of this year's NYIPC will be available by live-streaming by visiting the website at http://thenyipc.org/.

Manhattan School of Music is located at 122nd Street and Broadway.

Look back on the 2016 competition below: