ABOUT US
The San Jose International Piano Competition is a California 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization with a mission of providing excellence and education through competition and performance
Our Beginnings
Founded in the Spring of 2000, the Russian Music Competition was created by Dr. Irina Morgan, and her husband Dan Morgan. The very first Competition was held at Foothill College’s Appreciation Hall, with 35 contestants, three jury members, and $500 in total prize money.
Since Then
We’ve changed quite a bit. Becoming incorporated as a nonprofit organization, our organization grew into international status with contestants coming from several countries throughout the world. With the increased profile and stature, the competition was able to attract distinguished jury members consisting of internationally acclaimed concert pianists and professors, who give master classes and lectures during the ten days of competition. In addition, our organization has developed a highly proficient all volunteer board of directors, increasing the prize money to more than $12,000, plus adding special prizes including concert engagements, summer music academies, and introductions to prestigious conservatories. Today, the Competition takes place in the Concert Hall of the Music Department at San Jose State University. All of the competition rounds are free of charge and open to the public.
To better reflect who we are and the community that we’re proud to represent as well as to create a global awareness, we’ve changed our name to the “San Jose International Piano Competition” (SJIPC). Everyone, not only in San Jose, but in the entire Bay Area, can take pride in our competition, which has put the place we call home on the map of the international piano competition circuit and has attracted some of the most talented young pianists from both here and around the world.
OUR MISSION
Since 2001, our mission has been to provide excellence and education through competition and performance. Today, the main event of the Competition is the annual gathering pianists in San Jose to compete before a panel of world class jury members for prizes and notoriety. In odd years, Advanced pianists from around the world gather in San Jose to Compete while in even years, we invite younger pianists to come and compete.
TESTIMONIALS
Since 2000, San Jose has had the good fortune of hosting the International Russian Music Piano Competition. The annual age-group competitions that are organized and carried out so beautifully attract the very best young pianistic talent nationally and internationally, and a number of my own students have benefited enormously from preparing and participating in them.
The Competition is truly an entertaining and rewarding experience … and is free to the public! I highly recommend experiencing these engaging performances at this enjoyable annual event.
We are so fortunate to have the San Jose International Piano Competition right here in the Bay Area. An organization of the highest caliber, this annual event showcases some of the world’s most talented young pianists.
Compared with the numerous piano competitions our daughter attended locally, statewide and internationally, San Jose International Piano Competition was our favorite one!