October 8–11, 2026 · Collins Alumni Auditorium, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204 · 32 competitors · awards Saturday, October 10
The Nashville International Chopin Piano Competition (NICPC) presents its First Amateur Edition on October 9–10, 2026 at Collins Alumni Auditorium, Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee. “This edition is a celebration of lifelong artistry. It is about community, inspiration, and the joy of sharing great music at a high artistic level,” in the words of NICPC Artistic Director and Jury Chairman Graciella Kowalczyk. The competition is open to amateur pianists age 35 and over who do not derive their principal source of income from piano performance, instruction, or composition. Applications closed on July 21 and the field was announced in August; accepted competitors receive their full details directly by email. Graciella Kowalczyk chairs the jury; the panel will be announced ahead of the competition.
The Field — First Amateur Edition, 2026
- Benjamin Alwes
- Brad Arington
- Sandra Baumgarten
- William Bloomquist
- Mark Cannon
- Gorden Cheng
- Jim Chou
- Diana Cusano
- Charl de Wet
- Carl Di Casoli
- Robert Finley
- Grant Gayle
- Wen-Yee Ho
- Shinhye Kim
- Yuki Kitayama
- Vivian Ku
- Chia Ying Lee
- Nicole Lee
- Jim Lees
- Yun Liang
- Kate Lo
- Aaron Miller
- J. Rándal Ortiz
- Vincent C. Phillips, MD
- Ian Roy
- Hiko Sakamoto
- Jonathan Shih
- Michael Slavin
- Max Sung
- Wei Ling Wang
- Abraham Wilson
- Yuchao Zhou
Schedule
- Competition Dates: October 9–10, 2026 · Collins Alumni Auditorium, Lipscomb University, Nashville
- Applications closed July 21, 2026 · Field announced August 11, 2026
- Arrival and practice Thursday, October 8 · Departures Sunday, October 11
- Thursday, October 8Practice rooms open at 12:00 p.m. Each competitor has a short designated time that afternoon to try the performance pianos. Orientation follows that evening in Choral Hall, directly across the hallway from Collins.
- Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10All competition rounds. The awards follow on Saturday, at the close.
- Sunday, October 11Departure day.
Individual performance times are issued well before the competition. The running order is published here.
Venue
The First Amateur Edition takes place at Collins Alumni Auditorium, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204.
Competitors receive their full arrival details directly by email.
Jury
Graciella Kowalczyk chairs the jury; the panel will be announced ahead of the competition.