Our Mission

The mission of the Piano International Association of Northern Ohio (PIANO) is to honor pianistic excellence, to support the best musical qualities of young artists, to encourage the performance of and an acquaintance with the great repertoire for the piano, and to promote international friendship and good will through music. This is done through the presentation the Cleveland International Piano Competition and PIANO/OHIO, a smaller competition for area high school students.

The Competition provides an atmosphere where excellence and beauty reign supreme for almost two weeks -- a source of inspiration for everyone involved. The differences between cultures disappear when artists and the public share in the common language of music. The many international friendships which are formed during the Competition continue to bring a higher level of cultural understanding for many persons long after the Competition ends.

The Competition is searching for an artist who may be helped to launch a career by winning our competition. For a piano soloist, the competition route is the main avenue towards building a noteworthy professional resume. In today's music world, the winning of a major competition has become extremely important in beginning a successful concert career. Competitions afford aspiring young musicians an opportunity to be heard by critics and concert presenters from around the world.

The Competition is also an end in itself -- i.e., an event which can be a highlight of a young person's growth and experience. It is a time when excellence and beauty are the raison d'être for almost two weeks -- a model for achievement throughout life.

The presence of the Competition is a great cultural asset to the city of Cleveland. Only a very few cities host international musical events of this magnitude. The people of Cleveland are fortunate to be the host city for an event of great international importance for young pianists worldwide, and for the image of Cleveland as a world-renowned cultural center.