The World's Biggest Stage

05/02/2026

Congratulations to our four Finalists! Come to the Finals on May 26 at Merkin Hall to help choose the winner:) Some FREE tickets remain-
Maria Elli Petridou, Juliet Wolff, Francesco Stefanelli, Cheyoon Lee

04/17/2026

Meet our 2026 Finalists:

Cheyoon Lee (S. Korea)
Maria Elli Petridou (Greece)
Francesco Stefanelli (San Marino)
Juliet Wolff (Germany)

This year we had amazing applicants from all around the world and the decision was incredibly difficult. Please come and hear the Final Round on May 26 at Merkin Hall, and help choose the winner yourself. May the games begin!
https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/the-worlds-biggest-stage-concert-competition/

The World's Biggest Stage@followers

03/18/2026

Attention cellists!

The winner of this year's competition will receive $5,000 USD and the opportunity to be the featured cellist at the 22nd Water Island Music Festival.

10/23/2025

Our 2021 winner just wins two Gramophone awards! Brava María Dueñas!!

María Dueñas · violinist was recognised as Young Artist of the Year and also triumphed in the Instrumental category 🎻link in comments

📷Jamie Hodgskin

10/18/2025

Our 2021 winner continues to win big! Bravissima and congratulations dear María Dueñas · violinist!

09/18/2025

Watch our wonderful laureate María Dueñas · violinist as she makes magic!

08/26/2025

If you’re in Chicago, don’t miss our amazing laureate Zach Brandon!

Zachary Brandon is acclaimed for his poetic interpretation and boldly personal sound. A laureate of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition, the International Stradivarius Violin Competition, and the Cooper International Violin Competition, he has performed at venues such as Severance Ha...

02/08/2025

So proud of our laureate Zach Brandon who just performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in Cleveland. Listen ti hus brilliant performance here!

01/01/2025

Wishing all our previous winners a 2025 filled with health, music, and continued success! Please let us know where you are and what you’re doing (below) A big hug from NYC:) María Dueñas · violinistMasha LakisovaNathan Meltzer, ViolinStephanie HongRachel Hanlin SiuBrianna RobinsonJohannes GrayAnastasia SidorovaSage AliciaEmily HelenbrookHaejiKim

06/25/2024

The incredible María Dueñas · violinist, winner of our 2021 Competition is really rocking the classical music world, brava Maria!