By Deanne Jeffers
THE Australian National Piano Award returns to Shepparton in October 2026, bringing the nation’s most gifted emerging classical pianists to Riverlinks Eastbank.
Preparations for the acclaimed biennial event were officially launched with a special A Seat at the Keys luncheon, where more than 100 guests gathered to celebrate the award.
Winning the Australian National Piano Award in 2006, acclaimed pianist Amir Farid is returning to Shepparton 20 years later, this time as an adjudicator. Now based in New York, Mr Farid said winning the prestigious award had been a defining moment in his career.
“It gave me the confidence to inject some belief into myself that I had what it takes to pursue a career in music,” he said.
Mr Farid said one of the competition’s defining features was its focus on pianists aged 21 to 35, allowing artists to compete once they had developed greater maturity and musical identity.
“I think artistically it takes time to mature, and you can’t really show your true artistic colours until you’re a little bit older in most cases. I like that this competition focuses on that,” he said. “It feels more like you’re giving recitals rather than competing.”
Having listened to over 14 hours of audition recordings to help select the 14 finalists, Mr Farid said the standard this year would be exceptional.
“I know first-hand it’s going to be an incredibly high standard,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to hearing the finalists, although ranking them is the part I’m nervous about.”
He said what continued to make the Australian National Piano Award unique was not only its format, but the fact it was held in regional Victoria.
“Every time I come here, it just feels like a community. It feels like a family,” Mr Farid said.
“I’ve met so many people and made friends for life, and it feels like I’m coming back to a family every time I come to Shepparton. I have the award to thank for that.”
Mr Farid believes hosting a competition of this calibre in Shepparton is something the entire region should celebrate.
“So many things go to the capital cities, but there’s so much more happening in the big centres outside the capitals,” he said. “To have more focus on those centres, I think is great for the country.”
He encouraged people, regardless of their musical background, to experience the event.
“We have 14 of the greatest talents in the country all coming to Shepparton over one week in October. That’s a very unique experience,” he said.
“Even if you have no background in classical music, you’re in for a treat. It’s the best of the best.”
As an adjudicator, Mr Farid said he would be looking beyond flawless technique.
“I want to get to know the person as an artist through their piano playing,” he said. “The most important thing for me is to communicate and to express.”
The Australian National Piano Award will be held in Shepparton from October 19 to 24, bringing Australia’s finest emerging pianists together to compete for one of the country’s richest and most respected piano prizes.
