MTNA Performance Competition
The MTNA National Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country. Each year, thousands of students compete for top prizes and national recognition.
The purpose of the MTNA competitions is to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence.
The Massachusetts State Performance Competition is the first level of the MTNA performance competitions.
The three-tiered Junior (11-14), Senior (15-18) and Young Artist (19-29) Performance Competitions begin with state competitions. The winners/representatives of each state's competitions advance to a Division Competition in the winter. Division winners then compete in the National Finals at the annual MTNA National Conference in the spring. The winners of that Competition perform in a winners recital for teachers from all over the country.
The MTNA-Stecher and Horowitz Two Piano Competition is open to pianists between the ages of 18–29 during the time of the competition.
The MTNA Chamber Music Performance Competition is open to string and wind musicians between the ages of 18-29 as of January 1 of the current year. Ensembles must consist of at least three performers and have no more than six performers. Chamber Music Competitions are a two-tier competition: the preliminary round, by video submission only; and the final round, live at the MTNA National Conference.
State Performance Applications (Not Including Brass and Voice) are due September 10, 2025 at 3:00p.m. (EST).
For guidelines, fees and applications for all Performance Competitions, go to:
Competition Date: November 8, 2025.
Venue: Walnut Hill School (12 Highland Street, Natick MA)
Registration for Chamber Music, Brass and Voice Competitions will open November 1, 2025.
Brass and Voice (Senior and Young Artist only) Performance Competitions are two-tiered competitions: the Preliminary Round, by video submission only; and the Final Round, live at the MTNA National Conference. Entrants will compete without regard to the state or division in which they live or take lessons. Seven finalists will be selected in both the Brass and Voice categories from a nationwide pool of applicants to compete in the final round.
MASSACHUSETTS TEACHER REQUIREMENTS:
• Current active membership dues for MTNA, or a non-member teacher fee, must be paid prior to accessing the student competition application.
• All Massachusetts teachers must provide the Participating Teacher’s Fee and Application:
INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR TEACHER’S FEE AND APPLICATION
Step 1: Fill out the Teacher’s Fee Form (Simply click the button below)
Step 2: Submit your Teacher’s Fee (Select the correct amount in the drop down menu, and then click Pay Now)
• The Teachers Fee & Application are due by September 11, 2024.
• A student's application is NOT considered complete until the teacher's fee is received.
2025 COMPETITION RESULTS
STATE COMPETITION WINNERS:
Piano Junior Performance
Winner: Julian Tushman
Alternate: Liam ZeXin Chou
Honorable Mention: Hoichi Cadence Ma
Piano Senior Performance
Winner: Shixun Song
Alternate: Milo Miler
Strings Junior Performance
Winner: Hannah Jane Chen
Alternate: Sora Akahori McCarty
Honorable Mention: Philip Yim
Strings Senior Performance
Winner: Samuel Lee
Alternate: Mari Kang
Honorable Mention: Miyara Tokushige
Judges: Lydia Reed-Guertin, Sivan Etedgee, Zhen, Chen, Jennifer Elowitch, Hsin Lin Tsai, Thomas Barth, Bruce Brubaker, Victor Rosenbaum, Asiya Korepanova
EASTERN DIVISION WINNERS (2023):
Winner: Ethan Kasparian Weisman, student of Armine Karapetian Doaato
NATIONAL WINNERS (2023):
National winners will be announced after the National final rounds, at the MTNA National Conference in March.