The NextGen International Piano Competition was founded in 2020. Originally created to overcome the physical limitations posed by COVID-19 restrictions, the NextGen Competition was held virtually, accepting applications from around the globe.
Joshua Schiller, Founder
Hailing from the Bay Area in California, Joshua Schiller founded the NextGen International Piano Competition in 2020. As COVID-19 restrictions tightened, pianists were drastically affected by the limitations imposed on the music world: in-person recitals, festivals, and competitions could not be held as usual. To overcome these limitations, Joshua decided to frame the competition within a virtual landscape, allowing pianists from a diverse array of countries and musical backgrounds to participate.