Bader and Overton National Piano Competition 2026, Canada

Kingston ( Toronto), Canada

Deadline: December 8th, 2025

The 2026 Bader-Overton National Piano Competition is inspired by the Isabel’s 2025-2026 season theme of “Extending the Rafters.” The competition will focus on ways Indigenization – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Black Racism, and Accessibility – can be included within various aspects of the competition.

Schedule:

Semi-Finalist Round: Kingston (6 pianists): May 6th to May 7th, 2026

Finalist Round: Kingston (3 pianists): May 9th, 2026/ Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall

Prizes:

1st PRIZE: The Isabel Overton Bader, Clifford Overton, and Francoise Landry Prize for $20,000 CAD, a future engagement to perform a concerto with the Kingston Symphony, and a future engagement to perform a recital at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts that will be recorded by CBC Music for national broadcast.

2nd PRIZE: The Margaret Foster and Katherine Foster Prize for $10,000 CAD.

3rd PRIZE: The Marion Dick Memorial Prize for $5,000 CAD.

THE BADER FAMILY AUDIENCE PRIZE: $1,000 CAD.