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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Isaiah J. Thompson wins the jazz competition.

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