Piano Festival

On this page:

• About the Festival
• Registration Information
• Solo & Duo Competition Information
• What to Bring
• Schedule of Events

About the Festival

Saturday, January 17, 2026
Creative Arts Center
Wright State University

Hosted by Wright State School of Fine and Performing Arts Piano Area, chair Dr. Lina Yoo Min Lee

The Wright State Piano Festival brings together pianists from across the region for a day of music-making, learning, and inspiration.

Highlights include:

• Solo & duo competitions for Grades 5–12
• Master classes & collaborative workshops (Sight-reading and Piano Ensemble)
• Student recitals and performances
• Guest artist performance with Dr. Lina Yoo Min Lee
• Flexibility: Choose your events—you don’t need to participate in everything
• Scholarship Opportunity: High school seniors who participate and later enroll at Wright State will be eligible for a piano scholarship
   

Registration Information

All events take place in the Music Wing of the Creative Arts Center. 

• Eligibility: Students with 3+ years of piano experience.
• Early bird deadline: December 1, 2025 ($40 registration fee)
• Final deadline: January 10, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT, including online submissions).
  • Registration fee by final deadline: $55 flat (includes all festival events).
• Meals: Bring a bag lunch or purchase meals on campus at the Student Center.
   

Solo & Duo Competition Information

Divisions

• Piano Solo (Grades 5–8): up to 7 minutes
• Piano Solo (Grades 9–12): up to 12 minutes
• Piano Duo / Duet / Concerto (Grades 5–12)
  • Each player registers individually.
  • Memorization is not required for the duo division.
• Participation Modes: In person or online

Requirements

• Solo categories: Perform one memorized piano work.
• Online participants: Submit a video file or a public YouTube/Vimeo link by January 10, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT, and email the submission to Dr. Lina Lee at lina.lee@wright.edu. The registration fee must also be paid for the entry to be considered. If selected as winners, they should be available to perform in person at the Winners’ Concert at 5:00 p.m. in Schuster Hall at Wright State University.
• In-person competitors: Provide an original score with numbered measures for the judge.
• Online competitors: Send a scanned copy of the approved score.

Prizes

Grades 5–8 Solo

• Winner: $100 cash, trophy, award certificate
• Alternate: Medal, award certificate

Grades 9–12 Solo

• Winner: $300 cash, trophy, award certificate
• Alternate: Medal, award certificate
• Scholarship:  If winner is a junior or senior, automatic acceptance to WSU Fine & Performing Arts Performing Arts Scholarships (Scholarship amount TBD) for 4 years

Piano Duo

• Winner: $200 cash for duo, trophy, award certificate
• Alternate: Medal, award certificate

All competitors will receive professional evaluation, written feedback, and certificates at the award ceremony and winner's event (5 p.m. in Schuster Hall).

What to Bring

• Original/approved score of repertoire
• Water bottle
• Bag lunch (optional)

Schedule of Events (Tentative)

Time	Event
8:30 a.m.	Registration opens, practice rooms available
9 a.m.–Noon	Competition for students
11 a.m.–1 p.m.	Sight-reading & Piano Ensemble Workshop Group 1: 11 a.m.–Noon Group 2: Noon–1 p.m.
1–2 p.m.	Campus tour & lunch (Bring a packed lunch or buy lunch at The Hangar)
1–3 p.m.	Individual lessons with Dr. Lee available
3–4:30 p.m.	Masterclass
5 p.m.	Awards Ceremony, Winners & Ensemble Recital (Schuster Hall)

*The Schedule may change depending on the number of participants*