The inaugural Steinway Piano Competition GCC is set to take place from April 21-25, 2025, at Steinway Hall in Dubai, in a strategic partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirati Musicians’ Association, and Dubai Opera. The competition aims to establish Dubai and the UAE as a global hub for musical excellence, with a focus on classical and Emirati music within the region. Open to children up to 17 years old from the GCC region, the competition features two distinct categories: Classical Music and Emirati Talents, with scores granted by the Emirati Musicians’ Association.
The competition is designed to provide young talents with a unique opportunity to perform and showcase their skills, rather than just offering monetary rewards. Top competition laureates will be engaged in various projects curated by the organizers and partners, including performances at prestigious venues across the GCC and internationally. The jury for the competition will consist of distinguished Steinway Artists, renowned Emirati musicians and composers, as well as international and local professors and pianists, providing valuable feedback and mentorship to nurture young talents in the GCC region.
To enter the competition, young pianists in the GCC region are invited to submit a video recording and application form through the website www.steinway.ae. Additionally, for Emirati students interested in participating in the competition, a unique six-month intensive piano course has been organized by HOUSE of PIANOS, in collaboration with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, starting in October 2024. This program will provide training on piano skills, classical music history, theory, and performance of both classical and Arabic music pieces, to prepare participants for the 1st Steinway Piano Competition GCC 2025.
In an effort to promote musical excellence and appreciation for classical and Emirati music, the inaugural Steinway Piano Competition GCC is poised to set a new benchmark in musical contests. With a focus on nurturing young talents and providing them with valuable opportunities to perform and showcase their skills, the competition aims to establish Dubai and the UAE as a global hub for musical excellence. The collaboration with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the Emirati Musicians’ Association, and Dubai Opera highlights the importance of supporting and promoting music and culture in the region.
The competition features two distinctive categories, Classical Music and Emirati Talents, catering to children up to 17 years old from the GCC region. The Emirati music category, with scores granted by the Emirati Musicians’ Association, aims to highlight and promote the music and culture of the UAE. Top competition laureates will have the opportunity to participate in various projects curated by the organizers and partners, including performances at prestigious venues internationally, providing young talents with a platform to showcase their skills on a global scale.
With a jury panel consisting of distinguished Steinway Artists, renowned Emirati musicians and composers, as well as international and local professors and pianists, the competition ensures high standards and provides valuable feedback and mentorship to nurture young talents in the GCC region. Young pianists in the GCC region are encouraged to apply for the competition by submitting a video recording and application form via the official website. For Emirati students interested in participating, a six-month intensive piano course has been organized to prepare participants for the competition, emphasizing training on piano skills, classical music history, theory, and performance of both classical and Arabic music pieces.
