MTNA Competitions
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
MTNA State Competitions
Deadline: September 10, 2025, 3:00 PM Eastern
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.
The three-tiered Junior, Senior and Young Artist Performance Competitions begin with State Competitions. (Note: Brass and Voice, Senior and Young Artist, please see below) 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. The State Competitions are considered the primary educational level with the division and national levels showcasing outstanding performance and honoring significant pedagogical achievement. Competitions include Piano, Piano Duet (Senior only), String, and Woodwind.
**Brass and Voice (Senior and Young Artist only) Performance Competitions are two-tiered competitions: the Preliminary Round, by video submission only; and the Final Round, live at the MTNA National Conference. Entrants will compete without regard to the state or division in which they live or take lessons. Seven finalists will be selected in both the Brass and Voice categories from a nationwide pool of applicants to compete in the final round.**
Composition Competitions, for Elementary, Junior, Senior and Young Artist levels, are also three tiers. The winners/representatives of each state’s competition advance to the Division Competition. Division winners compete in the National Finals. The national winners have their compositions performed at the annual MTNA National Conference.
The Chamber Music Competitions are two-tiered competitions: the preliminary round, by video submission only; and the final round, live at the MTNA National Conference. Ensembles will compete without regard to the state or division in which they live or take lessons, and seven ensembles will be selected in both the String and Wind categories from a nationwide pool of applicants to compete in the final round.
MTNA Performance Competition
The purposes of the Music Teachers National Association Performance competitions are to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. The state competitions are considered the primary educational level with the division and national levels showcasing outstanding performance and honoring significant pedagogical achievement.
Categories have specific times requirements: NEW MTNA PERFORMANCE TIMES!!!- READ CAREFULLY
2025-2026 MTNA Competitions Performance Times
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
MTNA Composition Competition
Registration Deadline: 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, September 10, 2025
The purpose of the Music Teachers National Association composition competition is to encourage creativity and self-expression in student musicians through the art of composing and to recognize their achievements, as well as the significant work of their teachers.
LEVELS:
Elementary: ages 5–10
Junior: ages 11–14
Senior: ages 15–18
Young Artist: ages 19–29
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.
