Why should parents make the effort to bring their young musicians to hear exceptional pianists compete? Why devote part of a weekend—and yes, perhaps even brave the Seattle traffic?
The answer is simple: lessons alone are not enough.
A good music education happens in the lesson room, but it cannot live there exclusively. Students need inspiration. They need to hear what is possible. They need moments that make them return to the piano, violin, cello, flute, or another instrument with renewed curiosity and energy.
That is why we strongly encourage Chopin Academy of Music students and families to attend the 2026 Sonare International Piano Competition, taking place September 26–27 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. The two-day Final Round brings together outstanding young pianists, collegiate musicians, and professional artists selected through an international preliminary round.
Inspiration Is Part of a Musical Education
Week after week, students practice scales, learn repertoire, work through technical challenges, and receive guidance from their teachers. All of this is essential. But there comes a point when a student needs to step outside the practice room and simply listen.
Hearing an exceptional musician live can accomplish something that even the best lesson cannot quite duplicate.
A student may suddenly hear what beautiful tone really means. A difficult passage they have struggled with may sound completely different in the hands of an accomplished performer. They may notice how a pianist walks onto the stage, communicates with an audience, handles pressure, or creates an entire world from a familiar piece of music.
Most importantly, they may think:
“I want to be able to do that.”
That moment of inspiration can be enormously powerful.
Hear What Is Possible—Live at Benaroya Hall
Sonare offers a particularly unusual opportunity because students can hear musicians at many different stages of development.
Saturday features young prizewinners and finalists in the 9 and Under, 10–13, and 14–18 age groups. Sunday continues with the Collegiate and Professional Artist divisions, followed later in the day by the announcement of the 2026 winners and a special performance by internationally acclaimed guest artist Jialin Yao. All events take place in the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall.
For a young musician, hearing someone close to their own age perform at an extraordinary level can be especially motivating. Then, by hearing collegiate and professional pianists the following day, students can see where years of serious study may lead.
This is music education happening beyond the weekly lesson.
A Special Opportunity for CAM Students
We want our own students to take advantage of this experience.
Chopin Academy of Music students receive one FREE ticket per event. Please check the most recent CAM newsletter you should have received for details about obtaining your complimentary student ticket.
We hope families will use this opportunity. Attend one event—or make a weekend of it and hear several divisions. Listen together, talk afterward about favorite performers and pieces, and ask your student what surprised or inspired them.
For schedules, competitors, jury information, and complete event details, visit the 2026 Sonare International Piano Competition event page.
Tickets for the public are available through Benaroya Hall ticketing. Benaroya Hall currently lists five Sonare events across Saturday and Sunday.
Support Live Music in Our Community
There is another reason to attend.
Events of this caliber do not simply happen. The Seattle International Piano Festival & Competition, a nonprofit arts organization, and the many people working behind the scenes devote tremendous effort to bringing musicians, judges, audiences, and educational opportunities together.
By attending, you are not only supporting the competitors on stage. You are supporting live classical music and the organizations and individuals who work to keep these opportunities available in our community.
For students, that participation also teaches an important lesson: being a musician means being part of a musical community. We perform—but we also listen. We learn from one another. We applaud the achievements of others. We show up.
Come, Listen—and Return to the Practice Room Inspired
So why give up part of your weekend? Why make the drive into Seattle?
Because sometimes a student needs more than another reminder to practice.
Sometimes they need to hear something extraordinary.
Come to Benaroya Hall. Hear remarkable young pianists, collegiate musicians, and professional artists. Support live music. Talk about what you heard on the way home.
And then see what happens at the next practice session.
A little inspiration can go a very long way.