Michelle Naughton performing with MSO in 2006 Finals. Photography: Sylke Vonk-Storck	Lee Dougherty giving a session to contestants on stage presence as training for semifinalists. Photography: Jennifer Kersten

PianoArts Mission
The mission of PianoArts is to develop innovative ways to foster appreciation and performance of classical music by identifying and training a new generation of pianists with exceptional musical and verbal communication skills and by presenting them to diverse audiences.

A Competition with a Difference
The keys to a successful career as a pianist go beyond the piano. That’s the philosophy of PianoArts. Based in Milwaukee, PianoArts is a performing and educational organization that presents a national competition and music festival for some of the nation’s most talented musicians, ages 15 through 19. The competition offers prizes, scholarships, and future performances, but the winners – in fact, all of the contestants – receive training and advice on all aspects of performance.

Participants have private conferences with well-known judges and participate in classes with professional musicians to hone their skills in playing with an ensemble and in speaking effectively about music. All contestants rehearse and perform a duo for violin/piano or cello/piano with a musician from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and finalists have the opportunity to perform a full concerto with the MSO during the prize round.

Further Opportunities
And for the winners, PianoArts is a source of support well after the contest is over. The organization stays in touch with the young musicians, providing contacts and opportunities to perform, give master classes, or present talks about music. Many return to Milwaukee as PianoArtists-in-Residence to perform in concert halls, at PianoArts Soirees, present Student-to-Student programs, and perform on Wisconsin tours, as well as other locations throughout the United States. In keeping with the PianoArts philosophy of the importance of staying in touch with present day audiences and future professionals, many PianoArts winners continue to serve as advisors to the organization even as their training advances and careers grow.