Piano Island Festival | 8th Edition
Hainan, China
24 july - 31 July 2026

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Welcome to Piano Island Festival 8th Edition

Piano Island Management Pte. Ltd. is proud to present to you our 8th International Piano Island Festival July 2026 in Hainan, China. The festival dates are from 24th July 2026 to 31st July 2026.

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 4 main events:

Masterclasses, Concerts, Conferences 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 enrolment form, although subject to availability.

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 7th 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.

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!

Competition

For the 7th edition, the competition finals will be held in Bangkok from the 26th to 27th of July 2025.

Competition will be divided into 3 categories: Infantile (10 and under), Youth (11 - 17), 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, artist development/management and recording prize. 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 8th Edition. The competition jury will consist of world renowned pianists and professors. For more information about our competition, please click here.

The highlight of 2026

Ever thought about working with the best teachers in the music industry?

At the 8th International Piano Island Festival 2026 we will be curating a very special experience for our students to get a chance to work with world renowned piano professors - notably Dang Thai Son jury member of the International Chopin Competition, Haesun Paik professor at the New Englang Conservatory, Murray McLachlan from the UK and world class pianist Wibi Soerjadi from the Netherlands.

Chris Craker is a rare animal in the music business. He combines a life of experience at the very highest level as an Artist, Record Producer, Record Company Executive, Label Owner, Composer, Conductor, Studio Owner, Artist Manager, Author, Mentor, Business Consultant and Teacher. As a multi-Grammy nominated producer, Chris Craker has operated at the very forefront of the music industry for over 40 years. He notably produced the soundtrack for Director Christopher Nolan’s movie “Interstellar”, with the Oscar winning score composer Hans Zimmer, as well as producing the 2017 Annie Award Winning score for “The Little Prince” for Paramount, directed by Mark Osborne of “Kung Fu Panda” fame. During the infamous 2020 Covid lockdown, Chris remotely co-produced the soundtrack to Harry Gregson-Williams‘ colourful score for Disney’s “Mulan” from the control room of Karma Studios, Thailand. And, in 2022, he co-scored and co-produced (with his son Richard Craker), the soundtrack to a brand new documentary directed by Roger Christian, entitled “Galaxy” – The Making of Star Wars”. More recently, he also composed and produced the score for the new George Michael biopic “Portrait Of The Artist”, directed by Simon Napier-Bell, which won the Mii Cannes Award for Best Music Documentary, 2024.

Chris has performed and recorded with The London Symphony Orchestra (with Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, Georg Solti, Lauren Maazel, John Williams and many others) and has also produced in excess of 550 classical, jazz and ambient/soundtrack albums. During the ‘90s and early 2000s he founded a number of independent record labels (notably Black Box and Onyx), in addition to being the General Manager and Senior Vice President of Sony Masterworks in both New York and London, overseeing Sony Classical and BMG Classics.

The highlight of 2026

Ever dreamed of learning from the world’s greatest pianists?

At the 8th edition of the International Piano Island Festival 2026, we’re curating an extraordinary experience for young musicians and piano lovers in the tropical paradise of Hainan, Haikou.

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

- Dang Thai Son – Gold Medalist of the International Chopin Competition and distinguished jury member

- Haesun Paik – Celebrated professor at the New England Conservatory

- Murray McLachlan – Leading pianist, educator, and artistic director from the UK

- Wibi Soerjadi – Virtuoso and composer from the Netherlands, known for his captivating performances

- Cai CongCong – Prominent Chinese pianist and pedagogue known for his artistic refinement

- Huang Rixiang – Renowned Chinese concert pianist and respected professor based in Los Angeles

- Congyu Wang – Artistic Director and Founder of the Piano Island Festival, acclaimed for his international performances and vision in uniting the global piano community

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!