American Piano Awards

We promote and advance the careers of world-class young American pianists.

The American Piano Awards with Angie Zhang performing at The Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana History Center on February 23, 2025.
The American Piano Awards with Angie Zhang performing at The Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana History Center on February 23, 2025.

The Awards.

The American Piano Awards are a biennial concert series of the country’s premier jazz and classical pianists.

Learn more about the Awards

Join us for the 2027 Jazz Awards Season

Our History

Our organization was founded in 1979 in New York City and has proudly called Indianapolis home since 1982.

1979

The American Piano Awards were born in New York City as the Beethoven Foundation. The founders, Carnegie Hall director Julius Bloom, pianist Victor Borge and businessman Tony Habig, intended to identify and develop young pianists for international competitions, which were thought to be the entrée to significant international careers.

1981

The first National Piano Fellowship Auditions were held in New York City to identify the nation’s outstanding young pianists. Three pianists were declared winners of the competition.

1982

The Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, due to its central geography, reasonable cost structure and ties to the city of two of its founders, Tony Habig and Victor Borge. Throughout the rest of the 1980s, the Auditions were held every two years with three Beethoven Foundation Fellows named each running.

1992

The first Biennial American Jazz Piano Competition was held. That competition returned four times in the 1990s, alternating with the Classical Fellowship Awards.

2001

Dr. Joel Harrison joined the organization as Artistic Director. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Harrison and fellowship winners toured under the auspices of the Cultural Programs Division of the U.S. Department of State and played at a variety of venues across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

2003

The American Piano Awards produced Indy Jazz Fest annually through 2008. A family-oriented, three-day event with multiple stages, the festival featured top performers in jazz, blues, roots, rhythm & blues.

2011

The American Piano Awards launched the unique completion schedule that is still followed today. The Awards are held every two years, alternating between jazz and classical competition, and 2011 also witnessed the first webcast of the American Piano Awards finals.

2017

Drew Petersen became the first Awards winner named Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. All Awards winners since have gained that position.

2021

Kenny Broberg won the 2021 American Piano Awards. In a year with an unprecedented pandemic, each of the five finalists were awarded a cash prize of $50,000.

2023

With a return to in-person performances for all events, all adjudicated concerts were also live streamed to audiences around the world.

2023

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

2025

Michelle Cann is named the inaugural American Piano Awards Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner.

2025

The 50th winner of the American Piano Awards is Michael Davidman for the classical competition.

1979

The American Piano Awards were born in New York City as the Beethoven Foundation. The founders, Carnegie Hall director Julius Bloom, pianist Victor Borge and businessman Tony Habig, intended to identify and develop young pianists for international competitions, which were thought to be the entrée to significant international careers.

1981

The first National Piano Fellowship Auditions were held in New York City to identify the nation’s outstanding young pianists. Three pianists were declared winners of the competition.

1982

The Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, due to its central geography, reasonable cost structure and ties to the city of two of its founders, Tony Habig and Victor Borge. Throughout the rest of the 1980s, the Auditions were held every two years with three Beethoven Foundation Fellows named each running.

1992

The first Biennial American Jazz Piano Competition was held. That competition returned four times in the 1990s, alternating with the Classical Fellowship Awards.

2001

Dr. Joel Harrison joined the organization as Artistic Director. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Harrison and fellowship winners toured under the auspices of the Cultural Programs Division of the U.S. Department of State and played at a variety of venues across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

2003

The American Piano Awards produced Indy Jazz Fest annually through 2008. A family-oriented, three-day event with multiple stages, the festival featured top performers in jazz, blues, roots, rhythm & blues.

2011

The American Piano Awards launched the unique completion schedule that is still followed today. The Awards are held every two years, alternating between jazz and classical competition, and 2011 also witnessed the first webcast of the American Piano Awards finals.

2017

Drew Petersen became the first Awards winner named Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. All Awards winners since have gained that position.

2021

Kenny Broberg won the 2021 American Piano Awards. In a year with an unprecedented pandemic, each of the five finalists were awarded a cash prize of $50,000.

2023

With a return to in-person performances for all events, all adjudicated concerts were also live streamed to audiences around the world.

2023

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

2025

Michelle Cann is named the inaugural American Piano Awards Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner.

2025

The 50th winner of the American Piano Awards is Michael Davidman for the classical competition.

1979

The American Piano Awards were born in New York City as the Beethoven Foundation. The founders, Carnegie Hall director Julius Bloom, pianist Victor Borge and businessman Tony Habig, intended to identify and develop young pianists for international competitions, which were thought to be the entrée to significant international careers.

1981

The first National Piano Fellowship Auditions were held in New York City to identify the nation’s outstanding young pianists. Three pianists were declared winners of the competition.

1982

The Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, due to its central geography, reasonable cost structure and ties to the city of two of its founders, Tony Habig and Victor Borge. Throughout the rest of the 1980s, the Auditions were held every two years with three Beethoven Foundation Fellows named each running.

1992

The first Biennial American Jazz Piano Competition was held. That competition returned four times in the 1990s, alternating with the Classical Fellowship Awards.

2001

Dr. Joel Harrison joined the organization as Artistic Director. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Harrison and fellowship winners toured under the auspices of the Cultural Programs Division of the U.S. Department of State and played at a variety of venues across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

2003

The American Piano Awards produced Indy Jazz Fest annually through 2008. A family-oriented, three-day event with multiple stages, the festival featured top performers in jazz, blues, roots, rhythm & blues.

2011

The American Piano Awards launched the unique completion schedule that is still followed today. The Awards are held every two years, alternating between jazz and classical competition, and 2011 also witnessed the first webcast of the American Piano Awards finals.

2017

Drew Petersen became the first Awards winner named Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. All Awards winners since have gained that position.

2021

Kenny Broberg won the 2021 American Piano Awards. In a year with an unprecedented pandemic, each of the five finalists were awarded a cash prize of $50,000.

2023

With a return to in-person performances for all events, all adjudicated concerts were also live streamed to audiences around the world.

2023

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

2025

Michelle Cann is named the inaugural American Piano Awards Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner.

2025

The 50th winner of the American Piano Awards is Michael Davidman for the classical competition.

1979

The American Piano Awards were born in New York City as the Beethoven Foundation. The founders, Carnegie Hall director Julius Bloom, pianist Victor Borge and businessman Tony Habig, intended to identify and develop young pianists for international competitions, which were thought to be the entrée to significant international careers.

1981

The first National Piano Fellowship Auditions were held in New York City to identify the nation’s outstanding young pianists. Three pianists were declared winners of the competition.

1982

The Foundation moved its national headquarters to Indianapolis, due to its central geography, reasonable cost structure and ties to the city of two of its founders, Tony Habig and Victor Borge. Throughout the rest of the 1980s, the Auditions were held every two years with three Beethoven Foundation Fellows named each running.

1992

The first Biennial American Jazz Piano Competition was held. That competition returned four times in the 1990s, alternating with the Classical Fellowship Awards.

2001

Dr. Joel Harrison joined the organization as Artistic Director. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Harrison and fellowship winners toured under the auspices of the Cultural Programs Division of the U.S. Department of State and played at a variety of venues across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

2003

The American Piano Awards produced Indy Jazz Fest annually through 2008. A family-oriented, three-day event with multiple stages, the festival featured top performers in jazz, blues, roots, rhythm & blues.

2011

The American Piano Awards launched the unique completion schedule that is still followed today. The Awards are held every two years, alternating between jazz and classical competition, and 2011 also witnessed the first webcast of the American Piano Awards finals.

2017

Drew Petersen became the first Awards winner named Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. All Awards winners since have gained that position.

2021

Kenny Broberg won the 2021 American Piano Awards. In a year with an unprecedented pandemic, each of the five finalists were awarded a cash prize of $50,000.

2023

With a return to in-person performances for all events, all adjudicated concerts were also live streamed to audiences around the world.

2023

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

2025

Michelle Cann is named the inaugural American Piano Awards Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner.

2025

The 50th winner of the American Piano Awards is Michael Davidman for the classical competition.

Community events
Community events

Our Community

During each competition, finalists embed themselves in the Indianapolis community through concerts, educational partnerships, and their host families.

All five finalists complete a residency with a high school orchestra or jazz band – bringing music to new audiences and non-traditional venues and inspiring new generations of young musicians.

Meet Our Staff

Unforgettable piano experiences

Board of Directors

Leadership

View Leadership
  • Gregory W. Goelzer

    Chair
    CEO, Goelzer Investment Management, Inc.

  • Brian S. Williams

    Vice Chair
    Managing Director, Accenture

  • Tom Buckley

    Treasurer
    Co-Founder, Qumulex

  • Rebecca O'Connor

    Secretary
    Owner and Teacher, O’Connor Piano Studio

  • David Pentzien, MS

    Immediate Past Chair
    Owner, Tap Ventures, LLC.

Members

View Members
  • Ezra Burdix

    President and Owner, DTM Real Estate

  • Katasha S. Butler, PharmD, MBA

    Medication Use/Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, Eskenazi Health

  • Robert P. Chan, VMD

    Veterinarian (retired) and Community Leader

  • Alexandra R. French

    Partner and Toxic Torts Co-Chair, Barnes & Thornburg

  • Chris Harrison

    Registered Architect, Corgan Associates, Inc.

  • Christia Hicks

    Chief Human Resources Officer, Eskenazi Health

  • Michael Huber

    President, Indy Eleven

  • William B. Kleinman, MD

    MD Physician and Founder, The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center

  • Eugene P. Kroeff, PhD

    Founder, Managing Member, Gen Kro LLC

  • Debra Luffer-Atlas, PhD

    Senior Vice President of Research, Eli Lilly and Company

  • Alicia McMahon

    Music Educator and Content Creator

  • Brandon Smetana, MD

    Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center

  • Deborah Hearn Smith

    CEO (retired), Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

  • Brian Steensland, PhD

    Chair and Professor of Sociology, Indiana University

  • Carly J. Tebelman

    Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Courts

  • Michael R. Tirman, JD

    Partner, Honigman LLP

  • Stephen B. Towns, DDS

    Periodontist, Sonrisa, A Periodontal Spa

  • Michael Wells

    President, REI Investments, Inc.

Emeriti

View Emeriti
  • Craig Gigax

    President/Owner, Meridian Music

  • Carolyn S. Hardman

    Community Leader

  • Janet Nine

    Community Leader

  • Margaret Watanabe, MD, PhD

    Physician and professor (retired), Indiana University School of Medicine

Meet our institutional and corporate partners

Partners

Interested in supporting
the work we do?

Learn More