Our Mission
The World Harmonies Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to fostering the growth and well-being of young musicians and music enthusiasts as they pursue their passion for musical learning and performance. Our foundation seeks to create a supportive environment for aspiring musicians to thrive, encourage artistic development, creativity, and technical excellence. In addition to promoting the growth of individual performers, we also place significant emphasis on the role of music educators, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping the future of classical music. By providing structured opportunities and positive engagement, we aim to enhance the quality of music education and ensure that educators feel supported and valued in their mission.
Through our efforts, we aim to build a vibrant and inclusive musical community where individuals from all backgrounds can explore, express, and expand their musical talents.
For detailed information on the competition, including eligibility criteria, specific rules, and the application process, please click here to learn more. Submissions should include a high-quality recording of your performance along with the necessary application materials. We look forward to hearing your wonderful performances!
Organized by Seattle World Harmonies Foundation
The World Harmonies Competition is an international music event committed to showcasing young talent, promoting musical diversity, and encouraging artistic excellence. Open to all instrumentalists, this year's competition invites applicants to submit a video performance starting November 15, 2025, with a submission deadline of January 19, 2026.
Winners will be announced in March 2nd, and selected performers will be invited to Seattle in April 2026 for the Winners Recital. Multiple winners will be selected across divisions, and the Top Honor recipients will receive CASH prize and recital invitation.
This year’s adjudication panel includes distinguished professors and professional performers from across the country.
The 2026 Competition Organizing Committee has invited six distinguished local and international musicians and adjudicators to ensure fairness and the highest professional standards. The jury is divided into three divisions — Winds, Piano, and Strings — with two judges in each category. The panel includes tenured professors from world-renowned conservatories, winners of prestigious international competitions, and professional orchestra musicians, bringing together a wealth of experience and artistic excellence.
2025/2026 Judges Panel：
• Professor Elizabeth Buck (Wind) — Flute Professor at Arizona State University
• Chen Wang (Wind) — 2024/2025 Adjudicator for WMEA All-State & Washington State Solo & Ensemble. Former Seattle Wind Symphony Principal Saxophonist.
Piano Division Judges
• Dr. Kay Zavislak (Piano) — Senior Piano Instructor at Western Washington University
• Dr. Xin Chang (Piano) — Former full - time Collaborative Pianist at the University of Wyoming School of Music
String Division Judges
• Yuan Fang (String) — Former Professor & Founding and head of Orchestral Instruments Department of China at China Conservatory; Visiting Professor at Oberlin Conservatory
• Dr. Yang Lu (String) — Faculty at Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Conservatory of Music
2024 - 2025 Seattle World Harmonies Music Competition Winner Recital at Bellevue, WA
The 2024-2025 Seattle World Harmonies Music Competition announced its results in January 2025 and successfully hosted the Winners Recital in March. (Click the link to watch the concert recording!)
During the event, we awarded $2,000 in live cash prizes to the Top Honor recipients. Esteemed guests, including Dr. Brockman, Professor Jeffrey Gilliam , and Dr. Miao Liu, attended the recital, presented awards, and highly praised the performers.
The 2025 competition is set to open for applications in August–September—stay tuned for updates!
2024 Winner Recital
2024 Winner Recital Program
2024 Winner Recital Poster
