NINA SIMONE PIANO COMPETITION

Official Rules

The information and regulations in this section apply to the competition as a whole.

For division-specific information about application and performance requirements, scroll down or jump to:

ARTISTS DIVISION | SENIOR DIVISION | JUNIOR DIVISION

  • Junior Division: Ages 13 and under  (born on or after June 20, 2012)

    Senior Division: Ages 16 and under (born on or after June 20, 2009)

    Artist Division: Ages 17 and up (born on or before June 15, 2009)

  • Artist Division Prizes (17 and up)

    1st prize: $12,000 | presented by Opus 3 in recital at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music

    2nd prize: $4,000 

    3rd prize: $2,000

    Senior Division (ages 16 and under)

    1st prize: $3,000 

    2nd prize: $2,000

    3rd prize: $1,000

    Junior Division (ages 13 and under)

    1st prize: $1,500

    2nd prize: $750

    3rd prize: $500

  • March 21, 2026: Application Submission Deadline

    April 1, 2026: Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance

    June 16, 2026: Junior + Senior Arrivals

    June 17, 2026: Artist Arrivals

    June 17, 2026: Junior + Senior First Rounds

    June 18, 2026: Artist First + Second Rounds // Senior Masterclasses

    June 19, 2026: Junior & Senior Finals // Artist Semifinals // African American Composer Competition

    June 20, 2026: Departure of Competitors

    Early October 2026, TBA: Concerto Finals with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

    1. The Nina Simone Piano Competition will be held from June 17-19, 2026

    2. Applications must be submitted via: app.getacceptd.com

    3. Applicants to this competition may ALSO apply for the Nina Simone Transcription Competition AND/OR the African American Composer Competition at no additional cost.

    4. This competition is for U.S. citizens.

    5. This competition is for those who identify as Black or African-American.

    6. The Nina Simone Competition reserves the right to adjust its participation requirements, including vaccinations, based on the evolving circumstances of any possible pandemic and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and/or the California Department of Public Health, and/or the Ohio Department of Health.

    7. Artist and Senior Competitors should arrive no later than June 15, 2026.  Junior Competitors should arrive no later than June 16, 2026. Masterclasses will take place for eliminated seniors on June 18, 2026.  

    8. Accommodations will be provided for all competitors who do not live in the San Francisco area.  If spouses, relatives, or friends wish to accompany the competitor, they must provide lodging and transportation for themselves. Accommodations are provided until the morning of June 20, 2026.  Competitors are responsible for all lodging beyond this date.

    9. Competitors may not have any other commitments during the competition.  All competitors must remain in San Francisco during the competition.  

    10. Competitors are strongly encouraged to remain for the entirety of the competition.

    11. Senior Competitors who are eliminated will participate in a masterclass on June 18, 2026.

    12. Attendance at competition events and announcements is mandatory.  Failure to appear without prior approval of the Nina Simone Piano Competition may result in disqualification.

    13. All information provided in this document is correct at the time of publication. However, the Nina Simone Piano Competition reserves the right to make changes if circumstances dictate. Check our website ninasimonepianocompetition.org for changes and updates. In differences between translations of texts and rules, the English language is definitive.

    14. Competitors agree to be financially responsible for any and all medical needs and expenses during their visit as competitor of the Nina Simone Piano Competition, Inc.

  • (1) The screening jury, composed of three members, will evaluate all audition material and will select competitors according to the following procedures:

    a. Competitors are identified to the jury by number only. No other information is given, nor is the jury allowed to view any applications, recommendation letters, or photographs.

    b. The recordings are evaluated by each member of the jury based on commonly accepted musical criteria, without discussion.

    c. The following number of competitors will be invited to participate in the competition:

    i. Junior Division: 6 will be invited to participate.

    ii. Senior Division: 6 competitors will be invited to participate

    iii. Artists Division: 8 competitors will be invited to participate

    iv. the Jury reserves the right to select finalists who will perform with the Cincinnati Symphony 

    (2) The order of competitor performances will be determined by random drawing. The Competition will follow this order except for reasons of accident, illness, or other unusual circumstances, at the discretion of the artistic director of the Nina Simone Piano Competition. The order of appearance in the Artist Finals will depend on rehearsal scheduling, program content, and administrative requirements, and may vary from that of the previous rounds.

    (3) All works must be performed from memory. Any exceptions to this rule must be approved by the NSPC.  Royalty rights for all performances of 20th or 21st century repertoire are the full and exclusive responsibility of the competitor.

    (4) Competitors are required to be ready and willing to perform earlier or later than their assigned time.


    (5) No competitor will be admitted who has:

    Ever studied in any capacity with a jury member

    OR

    Has been coached by a jury member in preparation for the competition.

    OR

    Is a relative of a jury member

    (6) Once accepted to the competition, competitors are forbidden to play for members of the jury in master classes or privately. Any such violation will result in disqualification.


    (7) There shall be no contact or conversation between any competitor and any juror prior to the competitor’s elimination.  Any such willful violation will disqualify the competitor.


    (8) Cash awards are subject to applicable U.S. income tax laws.


    (9) Any and all repertoire changes must be approved by the Artistic Director.  No repertoire changes may be made after April 15, 2026. Please note that after the application is submitted, the concerto requirement CANNOT be changed.

    (10) Works cannot be repeated during the competition.


    (11) All rounds of the Competition may be broadcast live or may be recorded and videotaped for subsequent broadcast, video, internet, or audio recording use. Camera crews may document all Competition events. Neither the Nina Simone Piano Competition, Inc. nor its assignees or licensees may be held liable for any payments to competitors arising out of materials derived from Competition performances. Applicants are required to sign a release form yielding all rights on such materials to the Nina Simone Piano Competition, Inc., its assignees, or its licensees.


    (12) All performances are property of the Nina Simone Piano Competition and may only be reproduced and disseminated with the Nina Simone Piano Competition’s express and written permission.


    (13) While we intend to award all announced prizes, final decisions in this regard will be at the discretion of the jury.


    (14) The jury for the Finals with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra may differ from the jury(ies) of the initial rounds of the competition.


    (15) All decisions made by the jury/ies are final.

Artist Division

Application & Performance Requirements

    1. The Artist Division is open to applicants 17 and up, born on or before June 15, 2009. Applications must be received by March 21, 11:59pm EST. All applicants will be notified by April 1, 2026. The Nina Simone Piano Competition reserves the right to request additional information from applicants.

    2. The following must be included in the online application form via getacceptd.com/artofthepiano. No physical application will be accepted by the NSPC office.

      a. A non-refundable charge, in the amount of one hundred U.S. dollars ($100.00).  After February 28, 2026, the application fee is $120.00.

      b. A digital, high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) photograph of the applicant.

      c. A copy of an official birth certificate or passport.

      d. An electronic copy of the applicant’s biography of at least 100 words, but no more than 200 words, suitable for publication in the program and/or publicity.

      e. Information about the applicant’s prior musical activities: details of competitions entered, awards received, press releases, reviews, recordings released, and management agencies.

      f. Details of the applicant’s musical studies. Names of the applicant’s present and most recent teachers, and institutions where studies took place, if applicable. Please include details of any master classes in which the applicant has participated.

      g. A video upload is required. This shall consist of:

      i. Up to 30 minutes of music of your choice 

      ii. The recording is to be performed entirely by the applicant with no alterations (edits) and recorded within one year prior to the date of submission. The recording of must be in one (1) take and the hands must be visible at all times on camera.  TO PRESERVE ANONYMITY, DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME AS PART OF THE FILE NAME.  DO NOT ADD TITLES WITH YOUR NAME TO THE VIDEO.

      iii. The recording must be properly marked with the compositions recorded, and the PRECISE timing of each piece.

      h. A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current teacher including an assurance that the applicant has already learned or performed the concerto chosen for the final round, should the competitor advance to this portion of the competition.  Please see Performance Requirements for additional information about this round. 

      i. Your programs for each round of the competition.

  • Performance Time Limits - Artists Division

    If a competitor's program is over the allotted time (see below for requirements by round), the jury reserves the right to stop the performance. 

    || Repertoire ||

    Notes: 

    • Each competitor will play in the first two rounds.

    • Repertoire for any of the first two rounds must contain: at least one work written by a composer from the African diaspora. Whichever piece you choose must be at least 10 minutes in length.

    • Improvisation and/or arranging, whether in the classical or any other genre, are welcome and encouraged, for any round.

    1. First Round

    An up to fifteen (15) minute recital of the competitor’s choice.

    2. Second Round

    An up to fifteen (15) minute recital of the competitor’s choice.  

    3. Semi-Finals

    An up to thirty (30) minute recital of the competitor’s choice. 

    5. Final Round 

    Any concerto, in consultation and as approved by the Artistic Director and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra AND 15-30 minutes of solo (recital/non-orchestral) repertoire as selected from any of the previous rounds of the competition. 

    The winner of the Nina Simone Transcription Competition may also perform on the program. Should a concerto finalist also be a Transcription winner, the transcription must be part of the solo portion, and no additional performance time will be granted.

    NOTE: In the event that a competitor advances to the Finals and it becomes apparent that the competitor is unable to perform their concerto with the CSO, the Competition reserves the right to disallow performance in the Final Round.  

    If a competitor is unable to perform their concerto for any reason, no prize money will be awarded to the competitor.

Senior Division

Application & Performance Requirements

    1. The Senior Division is open to applicants born on or after June 20, 2009.

    2. Applications must be received by March 21, 11:59pm EST. All applicants will be notified by April 1, 2026. The Nina Simone Piano Competition reserves the right to request additional information from applicants.

    3. The following must be included in the online application form via getacceptd.com/artofthepiano. No physical application will be accepted by the NSPC office.

    a.    A non-refundable charge, in the amount of one hundred U.S. dollars ($100.00). After February 28, 2026, the application fee is $120.00.

    b.    A digital, high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) photograph of the applicant.

    c.    A copy of an official birth certificate or passport.

    d.    An electronic copy of the applicant’s biography of at least 100 words, but no more than 200 words, suitable for publication in the program and/or publicity.

    e.    Information about the applicant’s prior musical activities: details of competitions entered, awards received, press releases, reviews, recordings released, and management agencies.

    f.      Details of the applicant’s musical studies. Names of the applicant’s present and most recent teachers, and institutions where studies took place, if applicable. Please include details of any master classes in which the applicant has participated.

    g.    A video upload is required. This shall consist of:

    i. Up to 15 minutes of music of your choice.

    ii. The recording is to be performed entirely by the applicant with no alterations (edits) and recorded within one year prior to the date of submission. The recording of must be in one (1) take and the hands must be visible at all times on camera.  TO PRESERVE ANONYMITY, DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME AS PART OF THE FILE NAME.  DO NOT ADD TITLES WITH YOUR NAME TO THE VIDEO.

    iii. The recording must be properly marked with the compositions recorded, and the PRECISE timing of each piece.

    h. Your programs for each round of the competition.

  • Rounds and Performance Time Limits

    If a competitor's program is over the allotted time (see below for requirements by round), the jury reserves the right to stop the performance.

    || Repertoire ||

    Notes: 

    • Improvisation and/or arranging, whether in the classical or any other genre, are welcome and encouraged, for any round.

    First Round

    1. A seventeen to twenty (17-20) minute recital of the competitor’s choice, which must include one work or set of works from the following composers:

    J.S. Bach

    François Couperin

    G.F. Handel

    J.P. Rameau

    Domenico Scarlatti

    Antonio Soler

    2. at least one work written by a composer from the African diaspora.  

    Second Round

    An eighteen to twenty (18-20) minute recital of the competitor’s choice, which must include one FIRST movement of a Classical sonata.

Junior Division

Application & Performance Requirements

  • (1) The Junior Division is open to applicants born on or after June 20, 2012.

    (2) Applications must be received by March 21, 11:59pm EST. All applicants will be notified by April 1, 2026. The Nina Simone Piano Competition reserves the right to request additional information from applicants.

    (3) The following must be included in the online application form via getacceptd.com/artofthepiano (this needs to be confirmed) No physical application will be accepted by the NSPC office.

    a.  A non-refundable charge, in the amount of one hundred U.S. dollars ($100.00). After February 28, 2026, the application fee is $120.00.

    b.    A digital, high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) photograph of the applicant.

    c.    A copy of an official birth certificate or passport.

    d.    An electronic copy of the applicant’s biography of at least 100 words, but no more than 200 words, suitable for publication in the program and/or publicity.

    e.    Information about the applicant’s prior musical activities: details of competitions entered, awards received, press releases, reviews, recordings released, and management agencies.

    f.      Details of the applicant’s musical studies. Names of the applicant’s present and most recent teachers, and institutions where studies took place, if applicable. Please include details of any master classes in which the applicant has participated.

    g.    A video upload is required. This shall consist of:

    i. Up to 15 minutes of music of your choice 

    ii. The recording is to be performed entirely by the applicant with no alterations (edits) and recorded within one year prior to the date of submission. The recording of must be in one (1) take and the hands must be visible at all times on camera.  TO PRESERVE ANONYMITY, DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME AS PART OF THE FILE NAME.  DO NOT ADD TITLES WITH YOUR NAME TO THE VIDEO.

    iii. The recording must be properly marked with the compositions recorded, and the PRECISE timing of each piece.

    h. A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current teacher.

    i. Your programs for each round of the competition.

  • If a competitor's program is over the allotted time (see below for requirements by round), the jury reserves the right to stop the performance.

    || Repertoire ||

    Note: improvisation and/or arranging, whether in the classical or any other genre, are welcome and encouraged, for any round.

    1. First Round

    A ten to fifteen (10-15) minute recital of the competitor’s choice. At least one work written by a composer from the African diaspora must be programmed. Whichever piece you choose must be memorized.

    2. Second (Final) Round

    A ten to fifteen (10-15) minute recital of the competitor’s choice.