Yi-Yang ChenClassical Music Along the St. Lawrence

Cape Vincent, N.Y. – Fourteen young pianists from the U.S., Canada, and Thailand will bring their remarkable talents to Cape Vincent when the 2026 Thousand Islands International Piano Competition for Young People takes place September 11-13 on the grounds of Maple Grove Estate, 596 W. Broadway St., Cape Vincent.

Now in its 23rd year, the event is open to the public and admission is free. The competition begins each day at 9:00 a.m. and ends in late afternoon. Sunday's portion ends at noon, followed by an awards ceremony. Audience members can come and go as they please throughout the event. They can also vote for their favorite performer in each division, with the winner receiving the Audience Prize.

Participants will compete for cash prizes in two divisions: Junior, featuring seven pianists ages 12-17, and Senior, featuring seven pianists ages 17-26. They hail from Thailand, Canada, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Texas. All are currently studying in the U.S. or Canada.

“The Cape Vincent Arts Council is proud to once again provide a venue for young pianists to perform and bring the joy of classical music to the Thousand Islands,” said Liz Brennan, CVAC president. “We invite the public to come out and experience these amazing performances against the gorgeous backdrop of the St. Lawrence River.”

Past participants have gone on to compete and place in such prestigious events as the world-renowned Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Texas and the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland.

About the Competition

In three rounds of competition, the pianists will perform music by Chopin, J.S. Bach, and other classical composers. Audiences can follow the repertoire of each competitor over three consecutive days.

Artistic Director for the competition since 2010 is award-winning pianist and acclaimed music educator Brian Preston. A leader in the Rochester NY music community and a concert pianist who has performed around the world, Mr. Preston has been on the music faculty of Nazareth College since 1991.

Past Competitor Returns as Judge

Judges for the event are acclaimed pianists Yi-Yang Chen, Associate Professor of Piano, DePaul University School of Music, Chicago, who was the senior division first-prize winner in the Thousand Islands International Piano Competition in 2012; Elier Suarez, founder and teacher, Suarez Piano Studio, and former faculty member, Eastman School of Music, Rochester; and Irenus Zuk, Professor, Dan School of Drama and Music, Queen’s University, Kingston.

Sponsoring the event are North Country Public Radio and Artist Pianos of East Syracuse. Funding is also provided through generous donations from members of the community and supporters of the Cape Vincent Arts Council.

The competition is staffed by volunteers, and residents of Cape Vincent serve as hosts for many of the participants.

Supporting Young Artists

The Thousand Islands International Piano Competition was founded by the late Dr. William Grant in cooperation with the Cape Vincent Arts Council. A pianist and a lover of Chopin, Dr. Grant's goal was to encourage young pianists and to bring the joy of classical music to the Thousand Islands region. Thanks to his vision, it continues to be a successful annual event and the signature program of the Cape Vincent Arts Council.

In 2024, the Dr. William James Grant Fund was established by the Dr. William James Grant Trust to support the long-term viability of the competition. To learn more about the fund or to donate, contact the Northern New York Community Foundation at 315-782-7110 or visit nnycf.org.

The Cape Vincent Arts Council (CVAC) is dedicated to increasing opportunities for the public to enjoy and participate in cultural activities in and around Cape Vincent. Among the events it sponsors are the Concerts on the Green series, Riverside Music Festival, Stroll on Broadway, summer art classes, artist and author presentations, and its premiere event, the Thousand Islands International Piano Competition for Young People.

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Image: Yi-Yang Chen