Australia’s best young pianists will be peforming at Riverlinks this October.
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Fourteen of Australia's best emerging pianists will travel to Shepparton for the 2026 Australian National Piano Award, performing at Riverlinks Eastbank from October 5 to 10.
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Selected from a record number of applications, the finalists are aged between 22 and 33 and come from across the country.
Over four days, from October 5 to 8, each finalist will perform two 45-minute solo recitals.
Five finalists will progress to the semi-final on October 9, with three advancing to the grand final on October 10.
The programs span centuries of piano repertoire, from Bach and Beethoven to contemporary works.
Australian National Piano Award 2026 finalists.
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With more than $75,000 in prize money at stake, the finalists will be assessed by three internationally respected adjudicators, including previous winner Amir Farid.
Audiences can also vote for their favourite pianist for the Rotary Club of Shepparton People's Choice Prize.
Award president Darryl Coote said the event was considered Australia’s premier award for emerging concert pianists.
“The award proves that artistic excellence is not confined to our capital cities,” he said.
“Every two years, young artists from across Australia travel to the Goulburn Valley knowing that the Riverlinks Eastbank stage matters.”
Riverlinks manager Matthew Schroeders said the event offered audiences “a rare opportunity to hear some of Australia's most talented emerging pianists across a week of live performances”.
The solo recital schedule will be announced on October 4.
Tickets are available through the Riverlinks box office via tinyurl.com/2an7n45por by calling 03 5832 9511.
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