MTNA Competitions

The MTNA National Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country. The three-tiered Junior, Senior and Young Artist Performance Competitions begin with State Competitions. The winners/representatives of each state’s competitions advance to a video-only Division Competition. Division winners compete in the National Finals at the annual MTNA National Conference. 

2025 MTNA Competition Winner

MTNA Eastern Division Finalists and National Winners from New York State

We are proud to recognize the following student musicians from New York State who advanced to the national level of the 2025 MTNA Competitions, held at the National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 15–19.

MTNA Young Artist Performance Competition

  • Vivienne Lucier, viola – Second Place National Winner
    Teacher: Masumi Per Rostad, Eastman School of Music
  • Austin Shilling, saxophone – First Place National Winner
    Teacher: Chien-Kwan Lin, Eastman School of Music

MTNA Chamber Music Competition

  • Locus Trio (Leona Liu, violin; Harrison Kim, clarinet; Christopher Yao, piano) – Second Place National Winner
    Teacher: Elinor Freer, Eastman School of Music
  • Luxe Trio (Rumeng Liao, violin; Zhiwei Ni, clarinet; Hanxiao Lai, piano) – Finalist
    Teacher: Alan Chow, Eastman School of Music
  • Matcha Trio (Ellie Loya, violin; Joseph Yang, cello; Son Duong, piano) – Finalist
    Teacher: Sylvie Beaudette, Eastman School of Music

Performance Competitions (Piano, Piano Duet, Strings and Woodwinds)
Registration Deadline: 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, September 10, 2025

Video Submission Deadline: 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time, October 12, 2025

Online application and information regarding preparation and submission of videos are posted below.

LEVELS:
Junior: ages 11–14 (Piano, String, Woodwind)
Senior: ages 15–18 (Brass, Piano, Piano Duet, String, Voice, Woodwind)
Young Artist: ages 19–26 (Brass, Piano, String, Voice, Woodwind)
Chamber Music: average age 18–26 (String and Wind)

Brass and Voice (Senior and Young Artist only) Performance Competitions

Registration and Video Submission Deadline: 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, December 3, 2025 

Chamber Music Performance Competitions
Registration and Video Submission Deadline: 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, Wednesday, December 3, 2025 via Acceptd. Applications will be available November 1, 2025

Please note the following:

  • All repertoire listed on the application must be prepared at each level of the competition. Click here for a list of repertoire requirements. 
  • State Winners will be required to submit online a photo, 75-word bio and other PR information immediately following the State Competitions.  (Follow instructions in the email you will receive following the state competitions.)
  • The winners/representatives of each state’s competitions advance to a video-only division competition.
  • A student may not enter both the MTNA and Heddy Kilian Empire State Competition in the same performance medium in the same year.
  • Click here for video preparation guidelines.
  • Click here video submission instructions.   

The entrant will be contacted with a link to submit videos

Composition Competition

Registration Deadline: 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, September 10, 2025

LEVELS:

Elementary: ages 5–10
Junior: ages 11–14
Senior: ages 15–18
Young Artist: ages 19–26

​Teacher Requirements

  • Teachers must be aware of the entrant requirements.
  • The teacher listed on the application is the teacher of record and shall remain so during the competition year. In the event the entrant changes teachers during the competition year, both teachers, past and present, will be listed as the teachers of record. Any exception is at the sole discretion of the MTNA Director of Competitions in consultation with the Competitions Committee, but in no event will the entrant be disqualified as a result of a teacher change.
  • The teacher and the entrant may not be the same individual.
  • Teachers must reside in the U.S. during the competition year.
  • MTNA Member Teachers
  • Current active membership dues for MTNA must be paid prior to accessing the competition application. MTNA members are not required to be members in the state of entry.
  • An MTNA collegiate member must pay active membership dues to enter students.
     

Nonmember Teachers

  • Nonmembers teachers entering students are encouraged to pay current active membership dues for MTNA or entrants will be assessed the $150 Nonmember Teacher fee at the time of application.