This year’s competition brought together exceptional young pianists from around the world in the heart of “Music City,” continuing NICPC’s mission to elevate emerging classical artists and celebrate the legacy of Frédéric Chopin.
The 2025 competition featured 40 finalists ages 6-28, representing 15 countries. Participants performed a range of Chopin works in front of an international jury of distinguished pianists and educators. A complete list of winners is available here. The overall first prize was awarded to Guangbin Wang, a blind pianist from China, who said, “Music allows me to see the world in my own way, beyond limits and beyond boundaries. On this stage, I felt not judged by what I cannot see, but heard for what I have to say.”
This was the first year NICPC partnered with Lipscomb University and CGA. “Partnering with Crimson Global Academy allows us to provide our young pianists with a unique opportunity to balance music and educational excellence, ensuring they thrive on stage and in the classroom,” said Graciella Kowalczyk, president and artistic director of NICPC.
Brittanie Bates, principal of the US Diploma Pathway at CGA, concluded, “CGA heartily congratulates Wilson Liu and all the NICPC winners. We look forward to supporting more young artists through our flexible, globally accessible learning model, which empowers students to dedicate more time to refining their artistry while pursuing a rigorous education.”
