2024 Competition Dates
Applications and dates for the 2024 A. Ramón Rivera Piano Competition coming soon.
Senior Division
The Open Division is open to any pianists in grades 9 through 12.
First place: $500
Second place: $250
All other finalists: $100
The Rivers Division is open only to grade 9 through 12 pianists studying piano at The Rivers School Conservatory; these students 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.
First place: $500
Second place: $250
All other finalists: $100
Teachers of prize winners receive $100
All finalists are eligible for the Bach Prize: $500
Competitors are only eligible to compete in one division and first prize winners are not eligible to compete in the same division for two consecutive years.
Junior Division
The Open Division is open to any pianists in grades 7 and 8.
First place: $350
Second place: $225
All other finalists: $100
The Rivers Division is open only to pianists studying piano at The Rivers School Conservatory; these students 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.
First place: $350
Second place: $225
All other finalists: $100
Teachers of prize winners receive $100.
Competitors are only eligible to compete in one division and first prize winners are not eligible to compete in the same division for two consecutive years.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
Requirements for Senior Division Application:
- Prelude & Fugue from J.S. Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier I or II, plus contrasting piece, not to exceed 15 minutes in total
- PDF of clean scores **unmarked, but with measure numbers**
- Link to Unlisted YouTube Videos (requirements below)
Requirements for Junior Division Application:
- Invention or Sinfonia by JS Bach, plus contrasting piece, not to exceed 12 minutes in total.
- PDF of clean scores **unmarked, but with measure numbers**
- Link to Unlisted YouTube Videos (requirements below)
Video Requirements:
- at least 720p, preferably 1080p or higher
- One continuous take, unedited, Bach Prelude & Fugue and contrasting work
- Pianist’s face, hands, and feet must be visible and fill most of the screen
- Ensure the video has good quality audio and image
- Do not use special effects, dissolves, etc.
- Please announce the date at the beginning of the recording before playing. Submission of pre-recorded performances or pre-recorded live performances prior to 1/1/23 will NOT be accepted
- Please wear concert attire
- 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:
- Log into YouTube or create a free account.
- Click the camera+ icon (top right corner) to upload a new video
- Title your video: Last Name, First Name, Open or Rivers Category,
- Description: Composer, Title, Key, Opus# or BWV
- “Is this video made for kids?” select, “No, it’s not made for kids”.
- Click “Unlisted” under the “Visibility” section and copy the link for your video to include in your application.
- Click “Save”. Your video may take a while to process if it is a large, high-def file.
About the Competition
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 2023 Winners
Congratulations to the 2023 Winners:
Senior Competition
Joyce Do, 1st Prize, Rivers Division (student of Jeanie Lee)
Sarah Kisin*, 1st Prize, Open Division (student of John Adams)
Christopher Tillen, 2nd Prize, Rivers Division (student of Erin Lindsey)
Adalia Wen, 2nd Prize, Open Division (student of Paola Plano)
*Bach Prize Recipient
Junior Competition
Gaiyatri Mathew, 1st Prize, Rivers Division (student of Jeanie Lee)
Katherine Chen, 1st Prize, Open Division (student of Eleanor McLaughlin)
Cole Delgado, 2nd Prize, Rivers Division (student of Ian Lindsey)
Alexander Liu, 2nd Prize, Open Division (student of Helena Vesterman)
Previous First Prize Winners
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)