Ralph Votapek International
Young Artist Piano Competition

Dates

The semifinal and final rounds of competition will be held live onsite August 14-17, 2025.

Location

The Michigan State University College of Music, Music Building, 333 West Circle Drive, East Lansing Michigan. Competitor performances will be open to the public and held in Cook Recital Hall.

Learn more about the City of East Lansing, Michigan State University, Michigan’s capital city, and the greater Lansing community.

Application deadline: April 15, 2025

Candidates must submit a video recording of their performance. All completed candidate submissions will be reviewed by jurors, and candidates will receive notification of their status by approximately May 15.

Eligibility

The Ralph Votapek International Young Artist Piano Competition welcomes pianists of all nationalities and backgrounds. In consultation with your teacher, we encourage artists who are seeking to elevate their profile and gain professional and competitive experience in classical piano to apply.

Competitors are eligible to apply if they are aged 14 through and including 18 as of the competition dates.
Applicants must not be enrolled in a college music program at the time of the competition.

Adjudication and awards

The panel of jurors will consist of piano faculty from the Keyboard Area of the MSU College of Music for all three rounds. Final competition prizes totaling $11,500 will be awarded.

• First Prize: $5,000
• Second Prize: $3,000
• Third Prize: $2,000
• Best Performance of a Classical Work: $500
  (Sponsored by Michael and Paula Koppisch)
• Best Performance of a Romantic Work: $500
  (Sponsored by Michael and Paula Koppisch)
• Audience Prize: $500
  (Sponsored by Michael and Paula Koppisch)
• All invited participants will be considered for a scholarship to Michigan State University pending acceptance from the MSU College of Music Admissions.
• Jury decisions are final and are not open to appeal.

Competition performance and practice

Preliminary competition round: Held via video recording submitted with supplemental application materials (see the repertoire requirements listed on the Application Procedures page). 10 semifinalists will be chosen from the preliminary submissions.
Semifinal and final competition rounds: Live and onsite at the MSU College of Music. The semifinal will be held on August 15th, and the final will be held on August 17th (times to be announced). See the competition repertoire on the Selected Finalists drawer for details about what will be judged for the performances.
Competition piano: Competitors will perform on a concert-quality Steinway Model D instrument.
Piano tryout and final competitor order: Each competitor will get 15 minutes to familiarize themselves with the Steinway Model D piano in Cook Recital Hall on Aug. 14th. Drawing for performance order will take place the evening of Aug. 14.
Masterclasses: Jury members will conduct masterclasses on Aug. 16th for competitors that do not advance to the final round.
Practice facilities: Competitors will have access to practice rooms in the new state-of-the-art facilities of the Billman Music Pavilion of the MSU College of Music.

Travel and accommodations

Competitor arrival and departure dates: Competitors must arrive by Aug. 14th. The competition concludes on Aug. 17th.
Travel: Competitors are recommended to fly into Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). The Michigan Flyer (coach-quality bus) to East Lansing or a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft are recommended to get from Detroit to East Lansing. Detroit International Airport is approximately a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from East Lansing. Limited connector flights to Lansing’s Capital Region airport are also available. Competitors are responsible for their travel costs and are responsible for acquiring a visa for travel to the United States if necessary.
Accommodations: Competitors are responsible for any cost associated with their accommodations. Several hotels are within walking distance of the College of Music, such as the Marriott and the Graduate Hotel.

Transportation within East Lansing: East Lansing is a very walkable community and given the proximity to campus, it is recommended that competitors choose the Marriott or Graduate Hotels. Alternatively, Uber, Lyft, and the CATA bus transportation system are convenient modes of transportation within the East Lansing community.

Ready to apply?

Application Submission

A fee of $150.00 USD is required for submission. Follow the steps in your online application to submit your payment.
The application form can be updated as needed, but ALL FINAL MATERIALS must be submitted by April 15.
Only fully complete applications will be considered.

Required application materials

Video: The preliminary video should consist of at least three works not to exceed 30 minutes.
Repertoire: Applicants must include at least one movement of a Classical sonata (Clementi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven) and a significant work or group of works from the Romantic period. Other work/s are free choice. Only solo repertoire will be accepted, no concerti or chamber performances.
Performance: Applicants are required to perform from memory.
Recording Instructions: Video should be shot by a fixed camera with hands clearly visible at all times. Recording individual pieces and movements separately is acceptable, but the editing of individual takes is not allowed.

Other required documentation

• Current biography (250 words maximum).
• One professional high-resolution color photograph (headshot).
• Proof of citizenship and age (a clear scan of the passport or other official documentation).
• Recommendation letter from a current teacher.

Questions?
Please email Dr. Eric Zuber at zubereri@msu.edu if you have questions about the application process.

Competitors

• 10 semi-finalists from the preliminary submissions will be selected by an anticipated date of May 15.
• The MSU College of Music will be in contact with chosen alternates about their potential participation.
• All competitors must prepare for a total program length of 60 minutes.

Semi-final round repertoire

• Held on Aug. 15 in Cook Recital Hall
• Prepare a recital not to exceed 30 minutes.
• At least one Classical sonata movement and a significant work or works from the Romantic era MUST be included.
• Any remaining recital time allotted can be repertoire chosen by the competitor.
• Repertoire from the candidate’s application for the preliminary round may be repeated.

Final round repertoire

• Held on Aug. 17th, Cook Recital Hall
• A recital program not to exceed 60 minutes must be prepared.
• Repertoire from the candidate’s semifinal round may be repeated.
• Any remaining recital time allotted can be repertoire chosen by the competitor.

Adjudication

The panel of jurors will consist of faculty from the Keyboard Area of the MSU College of Music.