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American Piano Awards is a non-profit performing arts organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization's goal is to "discover, promote, and advance" the careers of young American pianists. The organization hosts a biennial competition called the American Piano Awards, which switches focus from classical piano to jazz piano every two years.[1] Valued at over $200,000, the awards of the competition are among the most lucrative piano prizes in the world.[citation needed] The Cole Porter Fellowship, awarded to the winner of the jazz competitions, is one of the greatest honors young American jazz musicians can receive.[2] In non-competition years, the organization hosts a piano recital series,[3] and from 2003 through 2008, the organization produced Indy Jazz Fest.[4]
| Formation | 1979 by Victor Borge, Tony Habig, and Julius Bloom |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Discover, promote and advance the careers of young, American, world-class jazz and classical pianists |
| Headquarters | 4603 Clarendon Road, Suite 030, Indianapolis, IN 46208 |
| Location |
|
Region served | United States |
President & CEO | Chris Williams |
Current Classical Winner | Kenny Broberg |
Current Jazz Winner | Isaiah J. Thompson |
Main organ | Board of Directors |
| Website | pianoawards |
Formerly called | The Beethoven Foundation (1979-1989), American Pianists Association (1989-2024) |
The organization was "born" in New York City in 1979 as the Beethoven Foundation, conceived by Danish pianist Victor Borge, Tony Habig of the piano manufacturer Kimball International, and Julius Bloom, former general manager of Carnegie Hall. Their original intent was to help identify and develop young American pianists to compete in international piano competitions by offering fellowships over a three-year period that included cash awards, concerts and media coverage.[5] In 1982, The Beethoven Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, Indiana due to its central location and Habig & Borge's geographical ties to the area.
In 1989 the organization was renamed as The American Pianists Association to reflect a broader mission and scope that included jazz pianists.[5] The jazz competition was added in 1992.[citation needed]
The organization was rebranded as American Piano Awards in 2024 to better reflect its most significant programs and aid in the public's understanding of its mission and purpose. The executive offices are a part of the Arts Collaborative housed in Lilly Hall at Butler University.
Finalists for the American Piano Awards compete through a series of adjudicated public recitals. The classical competition includes solo piano, chamber music, and concerto performances and ends with each finalist performing a piano concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The jazz competition includes repertoire for solo piano, jazz trio, vocal jazz, and jazz orchestra.[6]
The American Piano Awards website lists these winners:[7]
| Year | Winner | Winner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Jazz | Isaiah J. Thompson | ||
| 2021 Classical | Kenneth Broberg[8] | ||
| 2019 Jazz | Emmet Cohen | ||
| 2017 Classical | Drew Petersen | ||
| 2015 Jazz | Sullivan Fortner | ||
| 2013 Classical | Sean Chen | ||
| 2011 Jazz | Aaron Diehl | ||
| 2009 Classical | Grace Fong | Adam Golka | |
| 2007 Jazz | Dan Tepfer | ||
| 2006 Classical | Stephen Beus | Spencer Myer | |
| 2004 Jazz | Adam Birnbaum | ||
| 2003 Classical | Thomas Rosenkranz | Michael Sheppard | |
| 2001 Jazz | Aaron Parks | ||
| 2000 Classical | Christopher Taylor | Ning An | |
| 1998 Jazz | Jesse Green | ||
| 1997 Classical | Derison Duarte | Hiroko Kunitake | Peter Miyamoto |
| 1996 Jazz | Rick Germanson | ||
| 1995 Classical | James Giles | Anthony Molinaro | J.Y. Song |
| 1994 Jazz | Kevin Bales | ||
| 1993 Classical | Adam Kent | Nicholas Roth | Lori Sims |
| 1992 Jazz | Jim Pryor | ||
| 1991 Classical | Timothy Bozarth | Anthony Padilla | Daniel Shapiro |
| 1989 Classical | Jonathan Bass | Brian Ganz | Stephen Prutsman |
| 1987 Classical | Diane Hidy | Philip Hosford | Nelson Padgett |
| 1985 Classical | Frederic Chiu | R. Clipper Erickson | Dmitry Rachmanov |
| 1983 Classical | Phillip Bush | John Salmon | Michael Lewin |
| 1981 Classical | David Buechner | Glenn Sales | Jonathan Shames |
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