Thank you to all that joined us for the 2025 A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition!
Stay tuned for details for the 2026 competition.
The Divisions
- The Open Division
Senior; grades 9-12 (3 winners)
Junior; grades 6-8 (3 winners) - The Rivers School Conservatory Division (must be studying piano at RSC)
Senior; grades 9-12 (2 winners)
Junior; grades 6-8 (2 winners)
A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition (ARR)
The A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition is open to all pianists in grades 6-12 who are actively taking private lessons.
Application Fee
$100 fee for all applicants
Qualifications for ARR Senior Category
Open to all private lesson students in grades 9-12.
Senior Category Prizes*
1st Prize: $850
2nd Prize: $400
3rd Prize (new): $200
Bach Prize: $400
Qualifications for ARR Junior Category
Open to all private lesson students in grades 6-8.
Junior Category Prizes
1st Prize: $350
2nd Prize: $225
3rd Prize (new): $150
ARR Senior Audition Repertoire
Prelude & Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier I or II by JS Bach, plus contrasting piece (total time not to exceed 15 minutes). PDF of clean scores unmarked, but with measure numbers. Link to Unlisted YouTube Video (requirements below).
ARR Junior Audition Repertoire
JS Bach Invention or Sinfonia, plus a contrasting piece (total time not to exceed 12 minutes). PDF of clean scores unmarked, but with measure numbers. Link to Unlisted YouTube Video (requirements below).
Video Requirements
1. At least 720p, preferably 1080p or higher
2. One continuous take, unedited, required JS Bach piece and contrasting work
3. Pianist’s face, hands, and feet must be visible and fill most of the screen
4. Ensure the video has good quality audio and image
5. Do not use special effects, dissolves, etc.
6. Please announce the date at the beginning of the recording before playing. Submission of pre-recorded performances or pre-recorded live performances prior to 1/1/25 will NOT be accepted
7. Please wear concert attire
8. Competitors bow when finished, as when performing in a recital
**Deviations from the above requirements will be accepted and heard, but not considered for a prize.**
YouTube Instructions
1. Log into YouTube or create a free account
2. Click the camera+ icon (top right corner) to upload a new video
3. Title your video: Last Name, First Name, ARR Competition
4. Description: Composer, Title, Key, Opus# or BWV
5. “Is this video made for kids?” select, “No, it’s not made for kids”
6. Click “Unlisted” under the “Visibility” section and copy the link for your video to include in your application
7. Click “Save.” Your video may take a while to process if it is a large, high-def file
RSC Piano Competition in Honor of A. Ramón Rivera (RSC)
The RSC Piano Competition in Honor of A. Ramón Rivera (RSC) is open to pianists in grades 6-12 who are actively taking private lessons at The Rivers School Conservatory. Students in the RSC Competition compete for scholarship prizes. All competitors must be enrolled in their second consecutive semester or greater at RSC. Summers are not counted in this total.
RSC students can enter both the RSC Piano Competition in Honor of A. Ramón Rivera (RSC) and the A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition (ARR).
Application Fee
$100 fee for all applicants
March 21: Deadline to submit application and video for both ARR and RSC Competitions
April 7: RSC Jr. and Sr. Winners announced
May 4 at 5PM: Winners’ Concert, featuring both the ARR and RSC first prize winners*
*Finals and Winners’ Concerts take place in Rivera Recital Hall, located in RSC’s Bradley Hall.
Qualifications for RSC Senior Category
Open to all RSC private lesson students in grades 9-12. All competitors must be enrolled in their second consecutive semester or greater at RSC. Summers are not counted in this total.
Senior Category Prizes
First place: $500 RSC Scholarship
Second place: $250 RSC Scholarship
Qualifications for RSC Junior Category
Open to all RSC private lesson students in grades 6-8. All competitors must be enrolled in their second consecutive semester or greater at RSC. Summers are not counted in this total.
Junior Category Prizes
First place: $350 RSC Scholarship
Second place: $225 RSC Scholarship
RSC Senior Audition Repertoire
JS Bach Prelude & Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier I or II by JS Bach, plus contrasting piece (total time not to exceed 15 minutes). PDF of clean scores unmarked, but with measure numbers. Link to Unlisted YouTube Video (requirements below).
RSC Junior Audition Repertoire
JS Bach Invention or Sinfonia, plus a contrasting piece (total time not to exceed 12 minutes). PDF of clean scores unmarked, but with measure numbers. Link to Unlisted YouTube Video (requirements below).
Video Requirements
1. At least 720p, preferably 1080p or higher
2. One continuous take, unedited, required JS Bach piece and contrasting work
3. Pianist’s face, hands, and feet must be visible and fill most of the screen
4. Ensure the video has good quality audio and image
5. Do not use special effects, dissolves, etc.
6. Please announce the date at the beginning of the recording before playing. Submission of pre-recorded performances or pre-recorded live performances prior to 1/1/25 will NOT be accepted
7. Please wear concert attire
8. Competitors bow when finished, as when performing in a recital
**Deviations from the above requirements will be accepted and heard, but not considered for a prize.**
YouTube Instructions
1. Log into YouTube or create a free account.
2. Click the camera+ icon (top right corner) to upload a new video
3. Title your video: Last Name, First Name, RSC Competition
4. Description: Composer, Title, Key, Opus# or BWV
5. “Is this video made for kids?” select, “No, it’s not made for kids.”
6. Click “Unlisted” under the “Visibility” section and copy the link for your video to include in your application.
7. Click “Save.” Your video may take a while to process if it is a large, high-def file.
History
The A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition was founded in 1990 to honor Mr. Rivera as an extraordinary and inspirational teacher. The competition reflects his uncompromisingly high standards for artistry in music and beauty of sound and is intended to encourage young pianists to continue their search for excellence.
The 2025 Winners
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners:
The RSC Piano Competition in honor of A. Ramón Rivera:
Jr. Division
1st Prize: Amy Ma, student of Ana Popa
Sr. Division
1st Prize: Gaiyatri Mathew, student of Jeanie Lee
2nd Prize: Katherine Chen, student of Lois Shapiro
The A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition:
Jr. Division
1st Prize: Ethan Wei
2nd Prize: Yueqi Lao
3rd Prize: Feiyu Chen
Sr. Division
1st Prize: Shixun Song
2nd Prize: Na Ni
3rd Prize: Alexander Liu
Bach Prize: Claire Zhang
Previous First Prize Winners
Henry Tushman, Adam Li, Cole Delgado (2024)
Katherine Chen, Joyce Do, Sarah Kisin, & Gaiyatri Mathew (2023)
Victoria Park, Justin Wang, Pamela Hao, & Sarah Xu (2022)
Gaeun Ginny Lee (2021)
No Competition due to Global Pandemic (2020)
Kyle Chen, Julius Arolovitch & Theodore Teng (2019)
Khoi Le (2018)
Ahana Mukhopadhyay & Emilia DeJesus (2017)
Evren Ozel & Simonida Spasojevic (2016)
Niklas Kniesche (2015)
Victor Li & Alicia Juan (2014)
Christopher Staknys & Eric Lu (2013)
Nicholas Griffiths (2012)
Aaron Behr & Matthew Wu (2011)
Harry Li & Mackenzie Melemed (2010)
Evan Rees & Chi Wei Lo (2009)
Martin Falk & Ariel Borensztein (2008)
Roger Creel (2007)
Roger Creel & Katherine Peterson (2006)
Erli Veizaj & Yundu Wang (2005)
Sean Martinez, Luis F. Ortiz & Jessica Yam (2004)
Larry Weng & Yang Yang (2003)
Sang-Eun Hwang, Aaron Marcus &
Emi Okumura (2002)
Alexander Kossey (2001)
Eben Lichtman & Olga Parsegova (2000)
Ingrid Phoebe Keller & Alexander Kossey (1999)
Jessica Tai (1998)
Katherine Fisher (1996)
David Greco (1995)
Jocelyn Chapman (1994)
Drew Baker (1993)
Jonathan Jao (1992)
Kimberly Hamill (1991)