The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the best places in the country for young pianists to grow through competition. The region’s strong tradition of classical music education, combined with active local branches of national music organizations, means students have access to a wide range of competitive opportunities — from local festivals to national-level events.

Here’s a guide to the most important piano competitions available to students in the Bay Area.

MTAC Competitions (Music Teachers’ Association of California)

MTAC is the largest organization for music teachers in California, and its competition program is a cornerstone of piano education in the state. The Bay Area has several active branches, including Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Santa Clara.

Key MTAC Events:

MTAC Concerto Competition: Students perform a concerto movement with orchestral reduction. Winners perform with a local orchestra.
MTAC Solo Competition: Multi-round solo competition progressing from branch to state level.
MTAC Ensemble Competition: Duets and chamber music.
Convention Recitals: Performance opportunities at the annual MTAC state convention.

Who it’s for: Students at all levels, from early intermediate through advanced. The multi-round format rewards consistent preparation and stage presence.

Why it matters: MTAC competitions are well-regarded by college admissions committees and conservatory audition panels. State-level winners receive significant recognition.

CAPMT (California Association of Professional Music Teachers)

CAPMT hosts its own competition and festival circuit, which runs parallel to MTAC. Many serious students participate in both.

Key CAPMT Events:

CAPMT Honors Auditions: Solo repertoire adjudicated by a panel. Honors, High Honors, and Highest Honors are awarded.
CAPMT Solo Competition: Regional and state levels, with winners invited to perform at the annual conference.

Who it’s for: Intermediate through advanced students. CAPMT tends to attract students who are already performing at a high level.

Why it matters: CAPMT adjudicators provide detailed written feedback, making it a valuable learning experience even for students who don’t advance to the highest level.

Junior Bach Festival

The Junior Bach Festival is a Bay Area institution, held annually in the spring. It focuses exclusively on the music of J.S. Bach — a requirement that makes it both a niche and deeply educational competition.

Format:

Students perform one or more works by Bach
Adjudicated by professional pianists and pedagogues
Winners perform at a public recital

Who it’s for: Students of all levels who have prepared Bach repertoire. It’s an excellent entry point for younger students.

Why it matters: Bach is foundational to piano technique and musicianship. Students who prepare for this festival develop skills in counterpoint, articulation, and stylistic awareness that benefit all their playing.

US Open Music Competition

The US Open is a national competition with regional rounds held in the Bay Area. It’s open to all instruments and has divisions by age and level.

Format:

Video or live audition rounds
Regional winners advance to national finals
Cash prizes and performance opportunities for winners

Who it’s for: Intermediate through pre-professional students. The competition level is high, especially in the advanced divisions.

Why it matters: This is a nationally recognized competition. Placing well provides a strong credential for conservatory applications and scholarship auditions.

Certificate of Merit (CM)

While not a competition in the traditional sense, CM is California’s largest music evaluation program, administered by MTAC. Students prepare repertoire, technique, theory, and ear training for a panel evaluation.

Levels:

Preparatory through Level 10, plus Panel (the highest level)
Students receive ratings: Pass, Pass with Honors, Pass with High Honors, or Command Performance

Who it’s for: All levels. Many students begin CM in their first or second year of lessons and continue through advanced study.

Why it matters: CM provides a structured annual benchmark for progress. Students who earn Command Performance at higher levels demonstrate a serious commitment to piano study.

ABRSM and RCM Exams

These are international examination boards based in the UK (ABRSM — Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and Canada (RCM — Royal Conservatory of Music). Both have examination centers in the Bay Area.

Who it’s for: Students seeking internationally recognized certification, especially those considering study abroad or conservatory programs outside the US.

How to Choose the Right Competition

Not every competition is right for every student. Consider:

Student’s level: Start with festivals and evaluations (CM, Junior Bach) before entering competitive solo competitions.
Goals: Is the goal feedback and growth, or competitive achievement? Both are valid, but they lead to different event choices.
Repertoire readiness: A good teacher will know when a student’s repertoire is competition-ready versus still in development.
Emotional readiness: Competitions involve pressure and, sometimes, disappointment. Make sure the student is developmentally ready for that experience.

At Choupak Piano Studio, competition and exam preparation is integrated into our curriculum. Our students regularly participate in MTAC, CAPMT, Junior Bach Festival, CM, ABRSM, and US Open Music Competition — and they have the awards to show for it. Browse our student achievements to see recent results, or contact us to discuss how we can prepare your student.