Honens International Piano Competition Announces 2025 Semifinalists

Ten pianists will perform recitals in Calgary starting October 16, to be streamed LIVE on The Violin Channel

The 2025 Honens International Piano Competition will continue from October 16 - 24, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta. Open to pianists aged 24 to 30, the 10 semifinalists have been announced. Under the guidance of Honens' Official Mathematician Moshe Renert, the first jury, composed of Sara Davis Buechner, Nicolas Namoradze, Marianne Perron, and Robert Roux, chose the following pianists:

• Ádám Balogh, 28
• Elia Cecino, 24
• Carter Johnson, 29
• Giorgio Lazzari, 25
• Sandro Nebieridze, 24
• Chaeyoung Park, 28
• Élisabeth Pion, 29
• Anastasia Vorotnaya, 30
• Derek Wang, 27
• Yuanfan Yang, 28

Each Semifinalist will perform two recitals: a self-programmed solo recital, including a newly commissioned work by the Iranian-Canadian composer Iman Habibi; and another that features solo repertoire and collaborative pieces with cellist Rachel Mercer.

Tune in to The Violin Channel to watch the Semifinal and Final rounds of this year's competition!

“Congratulations to these pianists for making it to the Semifinals round,” says Honens Artistic Director Jon Kimura Parker. “The Jury has narrowed down the participants from 51 Quarterfinalists to an exceptionally talented group of 10. It is always a difficult task for our Jurors, and the level of proficiency this year was truly remarkable. Our jurors brought extraordinary care and insight, as well as deep listening and dedication to the process. We are now a step closer to naming the 2025 Honens Gold Laureate, that one truly special pianist who embodies what we call the Complete Artist. The performances in October will be thrilling.”

The three selected Finalists go on to perform a piano quintet with the Isidore String Quartet on October 23, including a solo encore announced from the stage.

In the second Finals round, the following day, each participant will perform a concerto composed after 1791 with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Elias Grandy.

The members of the Second Jury, who will evaluate the Semifinalists and Finalists, are Philippe Bianconi, Jenny Bilfield, Janina Fialkowska, Leila Getz, Anne-Marie McDermott, Roberto Plano, and Awadagin Pratt.

The competition’s Gold Laureate will receive a $100,000 CAD cash award; the Silver Laureate will be awarded $40,000 CAD; and the Bronze Laureate will win $20,000 CAD. All seven Semifinalists will receive $2,500 CAD each. Other prizes include the Audience Award and the Best Performance of Commissioned Work — both valued at $2,500 CAD.

Additionally, the competition will provide Laureates with the Artist Development Program, involving a comprehensive, three-year artistic development and career accelerator program tailored to the Laureates’ goals.

The Honens Lab, an innovative program for emerging pianists led by 2018 Honens Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze, will run simultaneously with the Competition in Calgary. Six participants will receive personalized feedback in masterclasses and take part in seminars based on Honens’ philosophy of the Complete Artist — including performance psychology, mental training, practice optimization, and mindfulness. Applications open June 17 to pianists residing in Canada.