American Pianists Association

The American Pianists Association 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 Pianists 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. 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 recital series called Grand Encounters,[3] and from 2003 through 2008, the association produced Indy Jazz Fest.[4]

American Pianists Association
Formation1979 (1979)
by Victor Borge, Tony Habig, and Julius Bloom
PurposeDiscover, promote and advance the careers of young, American, world-class jazz and classical pianists
Headquarters4603 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
Websiteamericanpianists.org
Formerly called
The Beethoven Foundation

History

The association was "born" in New York City in 1979 as the Beethoven Foundation, conceived by the Victor Borge, a Danish pianist; 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 groom 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] It changed its name to The American Pianists Association in 1989 and added a jazz competition in 1992.

In 1982, The Beethoven Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, partly because of geographical ties by two of its founders, Habig and Borge. Now the executive offices are a part of the Arts Collaborative housed in Lilly Hall at Butler University. In 1989, the name was changed to the American Pianists Association to reflect a broader scope that included jazz pianists, and the mission also has broadened beyond the original purpose.[5]

Competitions

Finalists for the American Pianists Awards compete through a series of adjudicated public recitals. The classical competition includes solo piano, chamber music, collaborative vocal, 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]

Award recipients

The American Pianists Association website lists these winners:[7]

YearWinnerWinnerWinner
2023 Jazz Isaiah J. Thompson
2021 ClassicalKenneth Broberg[8]
2019 Jazz Emmet Cohen
2017 ClassicalDrew Petersen
2015 JazzSullivan Fortner
2013 ClassicalSean Chen
2011 JazzAaron Diehl
2009 ClassicalGrace FongAdam Golka
2007 JazzDan Tepfer
2006 ClassicalStephen BeusSpencer Myer
2004 JazzAdam Birnbaum
2003 ClassicalThomas RosenkranzMichael Sheppard
2001 JazzAaron Parks
2000 ClassicalChristopher TaylorNing An
1998 JazzJesse Green
1997 ClassicalDerison DuarteHiroko KunitakePeter Miyamoto
1996 JazzRick Germanson
1995 ClassicalJames GilesAnthony MolinaroJ.Y. Song
1994 JazzKevin Bales
1993 ClassicalAdam KentNicholas RothLori Sims
1992 JazzJim Pryor
1991 ClassicalTimothy BozarthAnthony PadillaDaniel Shapiro
1989 ClassicalJonathan BassBrian GanzStephen Prutsman
1987 ClassicalDiane HidyPhilip HosfordNelson Padgett
1985 ClassicalFrederic ChiuR. Clipper EricksonDmitry Rachmanov
1983 ClassicalPhillip BushJohn SalmonMichael Lewin
1981 ClassicalDavid BuechnerGlenn SalesJonathan Shames

References
  1. "These young star pianists will perform in Indianapolis starting this fall". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  2. Chinen, Nate; Smith, Trevor (13 July 2023). "Relive the 2023 American Pianists Awards from Indianapolis". NPR Music.
  3. Harvey, Jay. "Florida native Sean Chen named DeHaan Classical Fellow". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  4. "History". American Pianists Association. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  5. "Fellows of the American Pianists Association". American Music Teacher. 54 (4): 39–42. 2005.
  6. "Competitions". American Pianists Association. Archived from the original on 2013-04-28. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  7. "Former Fellows Page". American Pianists Association. Archived from the original on 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2013-08-15.
  8. Kenny Broberg wins 2021 American Pianists Awards in Indianapolis by Domenico Bongiovanni. Indianapolis Star, 27 Jun 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
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