Piano Island Festival | 9th Edition
Tokyo, Japan
23 june - 29 June 2027
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Welcome to Piano Island Festival 9th Edition
Piano Island Management Pte. Ltd. is proud to present to you our 9th International Piano Island Festival June 2027 in Tokyo, Japan. The festival dates are from 23rd to 29th June 2027.
At Piano Island Festival, our mission is to create an international platform for developing talented pianists. Bringing world class pianists to perform, teach and share their experience. To create a learning space for top level young pianists from all over the world to be inspired by world renowned piano professors. Through our festivals, we hope to build lifelong friendships and bonds with our students, and teachers - connecting people with the same interests and goals.
This will be facilitated by our intensive festival program, where we will conduct numerous masterclasses, lectures, ice-breaking games, and a specialized tour itinerary to fit the interests of our participants.
Our Piano Festival features 5 main events:
Masterclasses, Concerts, Orchestra Rehearsals, Lectures and International Piano Competition.
Masterclasses
The masterclasses are catered to professional level students, pianists at the start of their careers, as well as motivated young pianists.
Enrolments are accepted by order of application. Students are not obliged to participate in the festival competition
Students will be distributed among the teachers, taking into consideration their preference and the works they will be playing, as indicated on the enrollment form, although subject to availability. Each festival participant will be allocated 4 masterclasses during the festival.
All participants will receive a course certificate.
Scholarships could be offered to exceptional students experiencing financial difficulties after a thorough screening, based on participant's background and resume.
Concerts
All invited faculty members of Piano Island Festival 9th Edition will be performing at an all-star concert during the festival. (subject to changes). Festival participants and observers will be able to enjoy daily piano recitals by our invited guest performers.
Festival Participants will also have a chance to perform in the students recital series.
Orchestra Rehearsals
Selected Festival Participants will also have a chance to rehearse with a professional orchestra during the week. Each student will receive 30-35mins of reading time with the orchestra. (Limited to 28 participants)
The rehearsals may be split up into 2/3 sessions depending on the chosen repertoire.
Any concerto from this list of standard concerto repertoire will be accepted:
Bach D minor BWV 1052
Bach A major BWV 1055
Bach F Minor BWV 1056
Haydn D Major Hob.XVIII:11
Mozart No.9 K.271
Mozart No.12 K.414
Mozart No.14 K.449
Mozart No.18 K.456
Mozart No.20 K.466
Mozart No.21 K.491
Mozart No.23 K.488
Mozart No.27 K.595
Beethoven No.1 in C major Op.15
Beethoven No.2 in Bb major Op.19
Beethoven No.3 in C minor Op.37
Beethoven No.4 in G major Op.58
Beethoven No.5 in Eb major Op.73
Chopin No.1 in E minor Op.11
Chopin No.2 in F minor Op.21
Mendelssohn No.1 in G minor Op.25
Schumann in A minor Op.54
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2
For any special requests, please contact us via email - pianoislandfestival@gmail.com
The best participants will be selected to perform at the final concert on the 29th of June 2027.
Subject to availability and repertoire chosen by the principle conductor, Mr Brian Liao.
Lectures
Lectures and conferences will be conducted by selected faculty members.
These conferences are priceless knowledge shared by our invited guest professors and are not to be missed!
A special Q&A session will also be organized during the festival - dedicated to festival students and accompanying family members.
Competition
For the 9th edition, the competition finals will be held in Tokyo from the 28th to 29th of June 2027.
Competition will be divided into 5 categories: Infantile (9 and under), Youth (10 - 12), Young Talents (13 - 15) Young Virtuoso (16 - 18) and Professional (18 - 35).
Cash rewards and numerous scholarships will be awarded for all top 3 prize winners of each category; special prizes including concerts and artist development/management. The Grand Prize winner of the competition will receive a scholarship package with accommodation and air tickets included as a festival participant, jury member, and faculty for Piano Island Festival 10th edition. The competition jury will consist of world renowned pianists and professors. For more information about our competition, please click here.
Observers
Observer passes will be made available for the general public. The Observer Pass is designed for piano students, teachers, parents, and music enthusiasts who wish to experience the festival without participating as performers. Observer Pass holders are welcome to attend and observe the educational and competitive activities throughout the festival, gaining valuable insight into high-level piano performance and pedagogy.
Observer Pass Includes
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Access to all public masterclasses
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Admission to faculty lectures and presentations
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Entry to competition live rounds
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Attendance at the Prize Winners’ Ceremony
Fee & Accommodation
The Observer Pass is priced at USD850.
A 20% discount will be offered to all accompanying parents or guardians of festival participants.
The highlight of 2027
Ever dreamed of learning from the world’s greatest pianists?
At the 9th edition of the International Piano Island Festival 2027, we’re curating an extraordinary experience for young musicians and piano lovers in the capital of Japan, Tokyo.
Join us for an inspiring journey of music, artistry, and discovery - where students will have the rare opportunity to work closely with world-renowned piano professors and experience a collaborative reading with a professional orchestra.
- Olga Kern (USA) – Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist, Steinway Artist, and internationally celebrated concert pianist and educator. She serves on the piano faculty of the Manhattan School of Music and is Artistic Director of the Olga Kern International Piano Competition.
- Noriko Ogawa (Japan) – Distinguished Japanese concert pianist, acclaimed recording artist, and internationally respected educator and competition juror, with long-standing associations with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and major musical institutions in Japan.
- Murray McLachlan (UK) – Leading British pianist, educator, recording artist, and artistic director, renowned for his extensive discography and lifelong commitment to developing the next generation of musicians.
- Winnie Tay (Singapore) – Distinguished Singaporean piano educator, adjudicator, and Steinway Educational Partner Teacher, recognized for mentoring generations of successful young pianists and international competition prizewinners.
- Christopher Janwong McKiggan (Thailand) – International prize-winning pianist and versatile musician, acclaimed for his virtuosity, expressive artistry, and innovative work across classical music and the creative arts.
- Poom Prommachart (Thailand / Singapore) – Steinway Artist, award-winning concert pianist and educator, currently Head of Junior Music at the School of Young Talents, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore.
- Tony Lee (Australia) – Acclaimed Australian concert pianist and international prizewinner, recognized as Best Australian Pianist at the Sydney International Piano Competition and a former artist-in-residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.
- Xun Pan (USA / China) – Steinway Artist, international competition laureate, distinguished pianist and educator, and Director of Keyboard Studies at Millersville University’s Tell School of Music.
- Chikako Kuboyama (Japan) – Highly respected Japanese piano pedagogue, adjudicator, and mentor, widely recognized for her work with PTNA and for nurturing young pianists through competitions, masterclasses, and concerto projects.
- Michiko Sumino (Japan) – Celebrated Japanese piano pedagogue and competition juror whose students have achieved outstanding success at major national and international competitions, including numerous PTNA national finalists.
- Natsumi Kuboyama (Japan) - Award-winning Japanese pianist and educator, recognized for her refined musicianship and distinguished achievements in international competitions at the Chopin Competition Asia & Lizuka New Artist Competition.
- Minoru Igarashi (Japan) - Distinguished Music educator and Vice principal of the Kunitachi College of music junior and senior high school. He is dedicated to nurturing young musicians and supporting the next generation of classical artists.
- Ariel Lanyi (Israel / UK) – Internationally acclaimed pianist and prizewinner of the Leeds International Piano Competition, admired for his refined musicianship and performances across Europe and internationally.
- Congyu Wang (Singapore) – Steinway Artist and internationally active concert pianist; Founder and Artistic Director of the Piano Island Festival, bringing together leading artists, educators, and young musicians from around the world
The Piano Island Festival is more than a series of masterclasses and concerts — it’s a global celebration of music, culture, and friendship. Immerse yourself in inspiration. Learn from the masters. Experience Piano Island!
Observer
