The 27th HHIPC takes place from March 10 through 17, 2025 for pianists ages 18-30. Twenty competitors will be invited to Hilton Head to perform two preliminary recital rounds, with six semifinalists selected by the jury for the third recital round. After that, three finalists are chosen to perform a full concerto with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and Maestro John Morris Russell. These talented pianists from all over the world will compete for a total cash prize pool of $43,000, with First Prize winner receiving $20,000, plus a solo performance for the HHIPC Mona Huff Recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in fall 2025, along with the following additional prizes: a return engagement with the HHSO in the 2025-26 season; a professional CD recording on the Steinway label; numerous performance opportunities (both in the Lowcountry and across the country); and professional career management services from HHIPC Director, Steven Shaiman.

Our prestigious jury is comprised of ten internationally acclaimed pianists from across the globe, including three artists on the competitor selection jury, and seven on the finals jury panel (please click HERE for a list of the HHIPC 2025 jurors). Special events during competition week–all of which are open to the public–include Master Classes by six finals judges working with competitors from the earlier rounds, and a special Lecture/Recital by our 2025 Jury Chair, Simone Dinnerstein.