AYM
General Youth Group (Non-Professional)
For students not currently enrolled in a professional piano performance program.
Entrants will be placed into an age-based group. Please enter the correct group name in the submission form.
Preschool Group: Born on or after Jan 1, 2019
(Performance limit: 3 minutes)
Children A Group: Born Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2018
(Performance limit: 4 minutes)
Children B Group: Born Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2016
(Performance limit: 5 minutes)
Junior A Group: Born Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2014
(Performance limit: 6 minutes)
Junior B Group: Born Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2011
(Performance limit: 8 minutes)
Professional Group
For students enrolled in a pre-college or undergraduate piano performance program, or students who have achieved Grade 8 or higher through recognized external exams.
Professional Junior:
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Open to pianists after Jan 1st, 2008.
Professional Youth
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Open to pianists born in 2007 or earlier
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Performance limit: 12 minutes
Four-Hands (Duet) Category
Open to non-professional or professional student duos.
Participants may choose any piano duet (four-hands) works — any style or genre.
Age Groups & Time Limits
(Based on the older participant’s birth year)
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Children’s Group (2015–2019): 3 minutes
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Junior Group (2008–2014): 6 minutes
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Youth Group (2000–2007): 12 minutes
Repertoire Requirements
General Group (Two Rounds)
The General Group includes a First Round (Online Qualifier) and a Second Round (Regional Live Competition).
Repertoire requirements are the same for both rounds. Performance time limits vary by age group.
Solo Piano:
Participants may perform one or more self-selected solo piano pieces.
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No restrictions on genre, style, or composer
Performance Time Limits by Age Group:
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Preschool Group: up to 3 minutes
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Children A Group: up to 4 minutes
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Children B Group: up to 5 minutes
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Junior A Group: up to 6 minutes
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Junior B Group: up to 8 minutes
Piano Duet (Four Hands)
Participants may perform one or more self-selected duet piano pieces.
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No restrictions on genre, style, or composer
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Open to all duos (non-professional and professional students)
Performance Time Limits by Age Group (based on older participant):
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Children’s Group: up to 3 minutes
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Junior Group: up to 6 minutes
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Youth Group: up to 12 minutes
Professional Division – Two Rounds
1. Junior Professional Group
First Round (Online Qualifier)
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Video Submission: Up to 12 minutes
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One etude (from Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Debussy, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, or Ligeti)
Second Round (Live Regional Round): 20–25 minutes
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One or more works of your choice
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Must include at least one Romantic-period piece
2. Youth Professional Group
First Round (Online Qualifier)
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Video Submission: Up to 15 minutes
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One etude (from Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Debussy, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, or Ligeti)
Second Round (Live Regional Round): 20–25 minutes
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One or more works of your choice
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Must include at least one Romantic-period piece
College Group Repertoire Requirements
First Round (Online Qualifier): Up to 8 minutes
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One etude, composer unrestricted
Second Round: Up to 15 minutes
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One or more etudes, composers unrestricted
📤 Video Submission Guidelines
All participants must submit a performance video via YouTube:
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Upload as an Unlisted YouTube video
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Title format: Full Name – Group – Repertoire – Composer
(e.g., Jane Doe – Junior A Group – Arabesque No. 1 – Debussy)
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Submit the video link in your registration form （If you're not ready to submit it during registration, you may register first and email the video link to info@albertayoungmusician.ca by May 28, 2025.）
Video Requirements:
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Fixed camera from a side angle showing:
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Full body
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Hands on the keyboard
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Side profile of the face
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Feet position
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One continuous take (no edits, cuts, or post-production syncing)
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Video must be recorded within the last 6 months
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Must include a thumbnail image with the performer visible
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Submit the YouTube link in your registration form. If you're not ready to submit it during registration,
you may email the video link to info@albertayoungmusician.ca by May 28, 2025.
Live Competition Rules
The repertoire must differ between rounds.
Performance Duration
Professional Group:
Performances under the minimum time will be disqualified.
Over-time performances may be stopped, but will not affect scoring.
General & Duet Group:
Maximum time limits apply; no minimum.
Judges may stop over-time performances without penalty.
Memory Requirement:
All performances must be played from memory (no sheet music allowed).
Arrival Time:
Contestants must arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled time.
Late arrivals exceeding 10 minutes will result in disqualification.