Piano & Composition Competition Awards
The Piano and Composition Competitions are judged separately. Each competition offers its own complete set of awards, including a separate Grand Prix and awards in each of the four age divisions.
Grand Prix
The Stella Unica Grand Prix, the highest honor of each competition, may be awarded to the most outstanding participant in each of the following:
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the Piano Competition
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the Composition Competition
Each Grand Prix recipient will receive:
🏆 $500 Cash Prize
🏆Grand Prix Crystal Star Trophy
🏆 Commemorative Gold Medal
🏆 Grand Prix Diploma
The Grand Prix may be withheld in either competition if the Jury determines that the required level of artistic excellence has not been achieved.
Age Division Awards
A separate set of age-division awards will be presented in both the Piano and Composition Competitions. Awards will be determined independently by the Jury appointed for each competition across the four age divisions.
Junior Division (Ages 5–8)
🥇 First Prize: $150, Crystal Award, Gold Medal, and Winner's Diploma
🥈 Second Prize: $100, Silver Medal, and Diploma
🥉 Third Prize: $75, Bronze Medal, and Diploma
🏅 Honorable Mentions: Diplomas
Pre-Intermediate Division (Ages 9–11)
🥇 First Prize: $150, Crystal Award, Gold Medal, and Winner's Diploma
🥈 Second Prize: $100, Silver Medal, and Diploma
🥉 Third Prize: $75, Bronze Medal, and Diploma
🏅 Honorable Mentions: Diplomas
Intermediate Division (Ages 12–14)
🥇 First Prize: $200, Crystal Award, Gold Medal, and Winner's Diploma
🥈 Second Prize: $150, Silver Medal, and Diploma
🥉 Third Prize: $100, Bronze Medal, and Diploma
🏅 Honorable Mentions: Diploma
Senior Division (Ages 15–18)
🥇 First Prize: $200, Crystal Award, Gold Medal, and Winner's Diploma
🥈 Second Prize: $150, Silver Medal, and Diploma
🥉 Third Prize: $100, Bronze Medal, and Diploma
🏅 Honorable Mentions: Diplomas
Additional Awards & Recognition
Youngest Participant Award
This special recognition may be presented to the youngest participant in each competition.
Each recipient will receive a special award commemorating their participation and achievement.
Additional Jury Awards
In addition to the main prizes, the Jury may present additional awards in both the Piano and Composition Competitions in recognition of exceptional talent, creativity, musicianship, or artistic achievement.
These awards may include trophies, medals, special diplomas, and other distinctions determined by the Jury.
Teacher Recognition
Every teacher with a student participating in either competition will receive a Teacher Recognition Certificate.
Piano Competition Awards
The following awards are available exclusively to participants in the Stella Unica International Young Artist Piano Competition.
Piano Ensemble & Piano Concerto Awards
In each age division, the Jury may select winners in the following categories:
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Piano Ensemble: Duet or Trio
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Piano Concerto
Winners will receive trophies, exclusive Stella Unica Gold Medals, and Winner’s Diplomas.
Special Composer Awards for Pianists
Special Composer Awards may be presented for outstanding performances of published piano works by:
Recipients may receive one or more of the following:
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Special Composer Award Diploma
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Exclusive Stella Unica Medal
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Autographed or complimentary sheet music provided by participating composers and publishers
Cultural Heritage Awards for Pianists
These awards recognize outstanding performances of piano works representing diverse cultural traditions.
Armenian Heritage Award - $200 Cash Prize
Presented for an outstanding performance celebrating the rich traditions of Armenian musical heritage.
Jewish Heritage Award - $200 Cash Prize
Presented for an outstanding performance celebrating the rich traditions of Jewish musical heritage.
Russian Heritage Award - $200 Cash Prize
Presented for an outstanding performance celebrating the rich traditions of Russian musical heritage.
Ukrainian Heritage Award - $200 Cash Prize
Presented for an outstanding performance celebrating the rich traditions of Ukrainian musical heritage.
Recipients will be selected by the Piano Competition Jury based on artistic excellence, stylistic understanding, and the overall quality of the performance.
If you wish to be considered for the Cultural Heritage Awards for Pianists, please use the Additional Comments section of your application to briefly explain why your submitted piece is eligible for the award.
Winners’ Concerts
Selected winners may be invited to perform at the Stella Unica Winners’ Gala Concerts on November 14, 2026, at Tracy Powers Concert Hall in Belmont, Massachusetts, USA.
Winners who are unable to attend in person may be featured in the prerecorded Stella Unica Online Winners’ Concert on December 1, 2026, using their previously submitted competition videos. The online concert may also include selected recordings from the live Winners’ Gala Concerts.
All winners remain eligible to receive the prizes awarded to them. Physical awards may be shipped upon prior arrangement with the Competition Director. Shipping and related delivery costs, including insurance and customs fees where applicable, are the responsibility of the recipient.
Additional details will be announced at a later date.
General Award Provisions
A participant may receive only one cash prize. If a participant qualifies for more than one cash award, only the highest-value cash prize will be awarded. Non-cash awards and special distinctions may still be granted.
Stella Unica reserves the right to request a birth certificate or other official proof of age to verify a participant’s eligibility.
The Jury reserves the right to withhold any competitive award if the required artistic standard is not achieved.
All decisions of the Jury appointed for each competition are final.
Special Jury Awards
At the Jury’s discretion, Special Diplomas may be awarded for:
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️ Best Baroque Performance
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️ Best Classical Performance
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️ Best Romantic Performance
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️ Best Contemporary Performance
Additional Special Awards may be presented for exceptional artistic achievement.
Winners' Gala Concerts
Selected winners may be invited to perform at the Stella Unica Winners’ Gala Concerts on November 14, 2026, at Tracy Powers Concert Hall in Belmont, Massachusetts, USA.
Winners who are unable to attend in person remain eligible to receive all awarded prizes. At the discretion of the Competition Director, awards may be shipped following prior arrangement. Shipping and any related delivery costs, including insurance and customs fees where applicable, are the responsibility of the recipient.
Teacher Recognition
Every teacher represented in the Competition will receive a Teacher Recognition Certificate.
General Award Provisions
A participant may receive only one major cash prize. Cash prizes are not cumulative.
The Competition reserves the right to request a birth certificate or other official proof of age to verify a participant’s eligibility.
The Jury reserves the right to withhold any award if the required artistic standard is not achieved.
All decisions of the Jury are final.