Eight teenage pianists from across the U.S., including an 18-year-old from Almond, NY, will participate in the 2026 Young Pianist Competition hosted by Alfred University’s MostArts Festival, celebrating its 10th season at the university.
The weeklong classical music festival will begin Sunday, July 12 with performances through Saturday, July 18. The Sunday 7:30 pm concert will welcome Evelina Kleczek, winner of the 2025 Young Pianist Competition.
Throughout the week, Alfred audiences will have the pleasure of listening and watching the MostArts Festival Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Yuval Zaliouk. A schedule of the week’s events may be found here.
Eight pianists have qualified to participate in the Young Pianist Competition, including 18-year-old Bethany Rech of Almond, who began taking piano lessons at the age of six. She currently studies with William John Newbrough, director of the Newbrough Piano Academy, Rochester NY, and professor of piano and director of piano studies at Houghton University, NY.
In addition to Rech, the following finalists will compete for the Young Pianists Competition grand prize of $10,000; a second prize of $5,000; a third prize of $2,500; and two Audience Favorite Awards of $500.
Maggie Bai, 15 of Newton, MA, and a student of Kanako Nishikawa.
Daniel Beal, 18, of Moscow, ID, and a student of with Roger McVey
Stephen Chen, 13, of Glenn Allen, VA, and a student of Yinfei Wang
William Feng, 14, of Sammamish, WA, and a student of Peter Mack
Alexander Liu, 15, of Short Hills, NJ, and a student of Orli Shaham
Jeremy Liu, 14, of Naperville, IL, and a student of Sueanne Metz
Rei Yamazono, 13, of Bellevue, WA, and a student of Peter Mack.
The MostArts Grand Prize Winner is invited back to Alfred University for a solo performance during the MostArts Festival the following season. The winner is also eligible to become a Young Steinway Artist.
This year’s finalists will give solo performances at 2 pm and 4 pm. Wednesday, July 15, in the Miller Theater. These recitals offer the opportunity for the soloists to show off their pyrotechnics as well as the poetic side of their artistry. The recital is free of charge and open to the public; however, children under eight are not permitted.
The 2026 Young Pianist Competition concerto round will be held Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17 and will feature the second and third movements of a Mozart concerto of the competitors’ choice. The competitors will perform their Mozart concerti with the International Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Steven Thomas, and the 2026 winner will be announced at the July 18 Grand Finale Concert.
