Celebrating the Winners of the Inaugural WPTA Canada-Composition International Pianist-Composer Competition!

The World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA) Canada-Composition Branch, in partnership with the Alink-Argerich Foundation, proudly announces the results of its inaugural International Pianist-Composer Competition. This unique online event celebrated emerging and established talents who excel as both pianists and composers, highlighting original solo piano works that blend technical mastery with creative vision. 

Open to participants worldwide, the competition offered cash prizes, studio recording opportunities, and a special True North Award for pieces inspired by Canadian themes. It reflects WPTA’s mission to support emerging musicians through performance, composition, and education on the worldwide stage.

Esteemed Jury

The winners were selected through meticulous numerical scores by a distinguished international panel of composers and educators:

• George N. Gianopoulus

• Patrick Holcomb

• Matthew Krell (President, WPTA Canada-Composition)

Their expertise provided a rigorous and inspiring adjudication process. 

The Winners

🥇 1st Place: Miles Swaminathan (USA)

For his solo piano composition “A Night at the Observatory”. 

At 22, Miles is a standout pianist-composer at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he recently graduated with Highest Distinction (B.M. in Piano Performance, minor in Composition). A recipient of numerous scholarships and awards—including the IU Hutton Honors Scholarship, Premier Young Artist Award, and Performer’s Certificate—his achievements include wins in the MTNA Senior Piano Competition (Kansas), Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Collegiate Competition, Florence Price Piano Concerto Competition, and the 2024 Artist Presentation Society Competition. 

Miles has performed extensively across the U.S. and internationally (including Switzerland), broadcast multiple times on Kansas Public Radio, collaborated with renowned artists like François Le Roux, and premiered his own works, such as the piano trio What Lay Beyond the Dark and Desolate Lands. His composition success includes first place in the Tonal Category of the 18th Fidelio Piano Online International Competition. Visit pianomiles.com to explore his remarkable journey. 

Miles Swaminathan

🥈 2nd Place: Mary Katherine Schober (USA)

Mary Katherine enjoys a vibrant career as a teacher, composer, and performer in Houston, Texas. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, her students frequently earn honors in MTNA and other events; she currently serves as President of the Forum Music Teachers Association. 

Mary Katherine Schober

She completed a solo tour featuring Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and her original Vignettes, Op. 2. Her work bridges classical and indie-pop influences, with Vignettes, Op. 2 earning First Prize in the 2024 Debussy International Music Competition. She holds degrees from Louisiana State University (B.M.) and the University of Houston (M.M.), studying with distinguished teachers including Gay Grosz, Willis Delony, Luba Poliak, and Tali Morgulis. Her piano sets Vignettes, Op. 2 (2022) and Journeys, Op. 3 (2025) showcase a rich blend of historical and popular elements.

🥉 3rd Place: Andreas Landstedt (USA)

Andreas is a versatile pianist, collaborator, chamber musician, improviser, jazz pianist, and composer based in Kansas City, Missouri. He has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Lee’s Summit Symphony and UMKC Conservatory Orchestra (winning their concerto competitions in 2022 and 2024) and participated in masterclasses with artists like Konstantin Scherbakov, Marc-André Hamelin, and Joyce Yang. Festival highlights include appearances in Germany, Italy, Quebec, and Spain. 

Andreas Landstedt

As co-founder of the AndEs Piano Duo with his wife Esther Jihye Han, he has won 1st Prize in the 2024 United States International Duo Piano Competition. He is the pianist for the trombone duo Border Bones (debut album Between Borders, with tours planned for Mexico and Brazil). His compositions have earned awards from Mu Phi Epsilon and the MTNA Young Artist Composition Competition. Landstedt holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and UMKC, studying with Falko Steinbach and currently with Sean Chen.

🌲 True North Award: Judah John Williams (Canada)

For his piece “Spearheaded Pines”. 

Born in 2006, Judah is a Canadian pianist-composer blending classicism, impressionism, and contemporary styles. An alumnus of the Vancouver Academy of Music’s Young Artist Collegiate Program, he is pursuing a B.M. at the University of British Columbia, studying piano with Mark Anderson and composition with Patrick Carrabre. 

Judah Williams

His works have been performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony musicians, Standing Wave Ensemble, and others. Notable performances include Midnight Rhapsody with The Valley Symphony and Spearheaded Pines at Carnegie Hall’s Weil Recital Hall. Judah’s accolades include the UBC Robert G. Rogers Piano Prize for Contemporary Music, SOCAN Young Canadian Composer Award, and Canadian Music Centre Barbara Pentland Outstanding Composition Award.

Congratulations to all winners! Their achievements exemplify the historically vibrant intersection of piano performance and composition. We look forward to hearing more from these talented artists and to future editions of this exciting competition.

Stay connected with WPTA Canada-Composition for more opportunities at https://www.wpta.info/canada-composition/ and join the mailing list!