AYA International Youth Competition 2026
Recognizing Excellence in the Next Generation of Musicians
Competition Overview
The AYA International Youth Competition is an annual international competition presented by the American Young Artists Association.
The Competition seeks to recognize outstanding young musicians who demonstrate artistic depth, technical refinement, and musical maturity at an early stage of development.
This is not a high-volume commercial contest.
It is a structured recognition platform grounded in artistic integrity and professional evaluation standards.
Categories
• Piano
• Voice
Age Divisions
Piano
Junior Division: Ages 7–11
Intermediate Division: Ages 12–14
Senior Division: Ages 15–18
Voice
Junior Division: Ages 7–11
Intermediate Division: Ages 12–14
Senior Division: Ages 15–18
Age eligibility is determined by the applicant’s age on the competition deadline date.
Competition Format
The AYA International Youth Competition is conducted through a structured multi-stage evaluation process.
Preliminary Round
Online video submission.
Final Round
Finalists may be invited to a live or virtual final round, depending on the annual format.
All submissions are reviewed by an artistic panel appointed by AYA.
Competition Timeline
Preliminary Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
Finalist Notification: April 10, 2026
Final Round: Late April 2026 (Exact date to be confirmed)
Repertoire Requirements
Piano
• One or more works of contrasting style
• Total performance time:
Junior: 5–8 minutes
Intermediate: 8–12 minutes
Senior: 12–18 minutes
Repertoire should reflect appropriate technical and musical development for the applicant’s division.
Voice
• One or more contrasting works
• Total performance time:
Junior: 4–6 minutes
Intermediate: 6–10 minutes
Senior: 8–15 minutes
Age-appropriate repertoire is required.
Operatic repertoire must be suitable for the singer’s developmental stage.
Awards
Each division may present:
• First Prize
• Second Prize
• Third Prize
• Distinction Award
The jury reserves the right not to award a prize if artistic standards are not met.
Select laureates may receive:
• Invitation to perform in an AYA Youth Showcase
• Certificate of Recognition
• Feature presentation across AYA platforms
Awards are based on artistic merit and jury consensus.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on:
• Technical proficiency
• Musical interpretation
• Stylistic understanding
• Stage presence and presentation
• Overall artistic maturity
The jury’s decision is final.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
• Completed online application form
• Video performance recording (unedited, single-take preferred)
• Short biography
• Repertoire list
• Proof of age
Application fees (if applicable) are non-refundable.
Applications may be submitted via our official website or by contacting us at info@americanyoungartists.org.
Artistic Standards
AYA maintains high artistic expectations.
The Competition prioritizes musical integrity over spectacle, and artistic maturity over technical display alone.
Participation in the Competition does not automatically imply admission into the AYA International Youth Program; however, select laureates may be considered for future artistic initiatives.