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6th Cafetalk Online Piano Competition
We want to create a borderless space to present and compete,
for children who take piano lessons online.
The Cafetalk Online Piano Competition is an online contest for those who enjoy and learn piano through Cafetalk's online piano lessons.
Three renowned pianists active in Japan and around the world will participate as judges. They will review video clips of the participants' performances and send their comments, so this piano competition is open to participants from anywhere in the world.
The top winners will receive a certificate and a commemorative gift and will be announced in a press release.
This event is held every May (results are announced in August) and November (results are announced in February).
Click here to see the results from our previous competition.
Send in a video
renowned tutors review it
and the winners are announced!
Dear parents ♪
We'll support your child's motivation!
They can feel the joy of working toward their goals and the pleasure of receiving recognition from renowned tutors, who are active as professionals in Japan and abroad.
To all participants of the general division:
All ages are welcome!
We look forward to your performance. The detailed critiques from the jury tutors will help you improve your piano skills and take them to the next level.
Children who have not taken lessons on Cafetalk yet can also participate. ♪
Children who normally study in a classroom can still participate in Cafetalk's Children's Piano Competition. This is a chance to have a well-known pianist critique their work.
You are required to register a free student account in order to enter.
(You do not have to take lessons to enter)
We are looking forward to your applications!
Introduction of Judges (in alphabetical order)
6th Cafetalk Online Piano Competition
Rina Sudo Cafetalk name: Riny
若干6歳にして、東京藝術劇場にて山本直純指揮・東京フィルハーモニー交響楽団とモーツァルトの協奏曲を共演、好評を博す。幼少の頃より、国内外のコンクールにおいて優秀な成績を収め、第6回エトリンゲン青少年国際コンクールAカテゴリー第1位、第26回ピティナ・ピアノコンペティション全国決勝大会G級銀賞・王子賞他受賞、「第２回福田靖子賞選考会」福田靖子賞（第１位）、第5回浜松国際ピアノコンクール第4位、第７回ダブリン国際ピアノコンクール（アイルランド）日本人最高位かつ最年少第5位入賞、ヒルトンヘッド国際ピアノコンクール（アメリカ）第３位、I Krystian Tkaczewski国際ピアノコンクール（ポーランド）第３位、また2010年,2015年ショパン国際ピアノコンクール出場(ポーランド)等、多数のコンクールにて上位入賞を果たす。オーケストラとの共演も数多く、NHK交響楽団、読売日本交響楽団、新日本フィルハーモニー交響楽団、日本センチュリー交響楽団、セントラル愛知交響楽団、仙台フィルハーモニー管弦楽団、神奈川フィルハーモニー管弦楽団、クラクフ室内管弦楽団（ポーランド）等、国内外の主要オーケストラよりソリストとして度々招かれている。イタリア、ニュージーランド、ポーランド、フランス、イタリア等および日本国内の各地にて数々のソロリサイタルおよび演奏会に出演、好評を博す。宇都宮市市民賞、宇都宮市長特別賞、川崎市アゼリア輝賞を受賞。
Nao Mieno Cafetalk name: Mieno Nao
過去の受賞者コメント
渡辺 友美 様第5回 一般部門1位 演奏曲：幻想即興曲 (遺作) 嬰ハ短調 Op.66 ショパン
これまで独学で練習してきて、行き詰まることが多くありました。今回はカフェトークのオンラインレッスンを受けたことで、自分では気づけなかった視点が開け、迷いが一つずつ解消されていく喜びを得ることができました。
先生に指摘いただいた箇所を改善して録音しましたが、聴いてみると、改善できていない箇所が散見されます。演奏しながら聞いている（と思い込んでいる）音と、実際に出ている音とが違う、という気づきが勉強になりました。今後に生かしていきたいです。
ハイド ローレンス理貴 様第5回 小学生部門1位 演奏曲：スロヴァキア民謡による変奏曲 カバレフスキー
カバレフスキーの「スロバキアの民謡による変奏曲」を練習する中で、特に難しかったのは、変奏ごとにリズムやタッチを変えるところと、速い部分でした。これまで指を止める練習や、タッチを強くしたり軽くしたりする練習をして、毎日スケールとアルペジオを弾くのにも取り組んできました。サッカーの練習で疲れていても、必ず毎日ピアノに向かうことを続け、その努力が今回の結果につながったことを本当に嬉しく思います。スロバキア民謡のきれいで悲しいメロディーを表現できたことが一番の喜びです。審査員の先生方、ありがとうございました。
島田 知加子 様第4回 一般部門1位 演奏曲：Chopin Op27-1
第3回の結果発表からほどなくして人生の喜びも悲しみもともに過ごした愛猫が虹の橋を渡りました。深い喪失感の中で音楽に向き合うことが難しい時期もありましたが、今はぬいぐるみとなった愛猫に見守られながら想いを音に託すことで少しずつ前を向くことができるようになりました。
音楽は時に悲しみを癒し、勇気を与えてくれると感じています。今は彼女との想い出を描いているかのようなリストの献呈に挑戦中です。これからも愛猫への想いを胸に、ぬいぐるみの姿で見守ってもらいながら誰かの心に寄り添えるような表現を探し研鑽を重ねたいと思います。
Entry Method
Please fill out the form below to enter and we will send you the link for the application within 24 hours.
After submitting your application (and payment), please take a video of your performance, upload it to Youtube under the "unlisted" setting and send us the video link by the method instructed in the application.
Judging Method
The jury consists of three pianists who offer lessons at Cafetalk
Technical aspect: Scored on a 50-point scale based on the skills acquired, taking into account age and length of practice.
Artistic aspect: Scored on a 50-point scale based on passion for performance, expressiveness, musicality, interpretation of the piece, future potential, and degree of perfection.
Between the three judges, the highest and lowest scores will be removed
and the medium score will be used.
You will definitely get a review from the judges ♫
The renowned tutors will prepare a review for each and every participant.
We hope this will be a message that becomes an encouragement for future piano practice.
Announcements and Awards
The results will be announced on August 20, 2026 (THU) in a special Cafetalk page.
Overview
6th Cafetalk Online Piano Competition| Entry Period | - June 30, 2026 |
| Video Submission Period | - July 31, 2026 |
| Judging Period | - August 12, 2026 |
| Announcement | August 20, 2026 (THU) |
| Announcement Method | On the Cafetalk website, various social media, press releases. |
| Eligibility criteria |
Kids division: children who are learning the piano (age range equivalent to Japanese primary school students) General category: any age. Those who have not taken a course at Cafetalk are also welcome to participate. |
| Participation fee | 5,000 points (equivalent to ¥5,500 tax included) Payment can be made in various currencies. |
| Number of participants | Up to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis |
Guide to creating your video submission
Upload YouTube videos
Official Help(opens a page outside Cafetalk)
Please create your video with the "unlisted" visibility setting and send the video URL to Cafetalk.
More information will be sent to you after your entry.
Prizes
⚫︎ Lesson tickets （3000pt×12)
⚫︎ A participation ticket to the 2027 Cafetalk Music Competition（¥22,000 Full amount）
⚫︎ Certificate
⚫︎ Lesson tickets （3000pt×4)
⚫︎ A participation ticket to the 2027 Cafetalk Music Competition（¥11,000 Half price）
⚫︎ Certificate
⚫︎ Certificate
⚫︎ 500 yen "NEXT" library card
Application Guidelines
6th Cafetalk Online Piano Competition*Please be sure to read this before entering.
About the Entry
A name (nicknames are acceptable) and a portrait photo must be submitted. Participants' names and portraits will be published on the website.
You just started learning how to play the piano and are wondering if you can participate as well?
Children who have just started piano, and adults who are beginners are welcome to join us! All level of experience are welcome. We also welcome advanced players who are aiming for the top prizes. Three tutor judges with excellent careers will send you a critique of your performance, summarizing the best parts of your performance and offer advice for the future.
About Payment
After submitting the entry form, we will send payment instructions to your Cafetalk registered e-mail address.
Please follow the instructions and pay 5,000 points (5,500 yen tax included). Cafetalk points can be purchased by credit card, bank transfer, Paypal, or Rakuten Pay.
Please be aware that in case of a cancellation after payment, the points will not be refunded. Thank you for understanding.
About the Video Submission
Please film the video after the date of your entry. Videos recorded in the past cannot be submitted.
*You may only submit your recording once. Re-submission is not allowed.
2m00s to 6m00s in length, classical music only, any piece can be performed. Performances that significantly exceed the length of the piece or are different from the piece declared at the time of entry are not allowed.
*Excerpts from songs, movements, suites, and variations, as well as combinations of multiple songs are possible.
*Non-published music, compositions of your own, and special techniques (placing something on the piano strings, hitting the body of the piano, etc.) are not allowed.
Any type of piano can be used, including electronic, upright, and grand pianos.
In addition to your home, you may also submit footage shot in a studio or other location.
You do not have to memorize the music score. It does not affect your score during judging.
The video can be taken with a smart phone. Please make sure that the screen is facing sideways and is fixed so that the hands, face, and entire body (down to the feet) can be clearly seen.
About the Judges
The jury consists of three pianists who offer lessons at Cafetalk.
About the Judging Method
Score out of 100 (technical + artistic).The highest and lowest scores are removed and the medium score will be used.
Certificate of Commendation, Prizes, etc.
The 1st and 2nd place winners will receive a certificate, lesson tickets and a participation ticket to the 2027 Cafetalk Music Competition. The 3rd place winner will receive a certificate by mail. (*International shipping available)
All contest participants will receive the judges' comments in PDF format by e-mail. In addition, a "NEXT" library card worth 500 yen will be given as a participation prize.
Lessons that can prepare you for the piano competition.
Take preparatory lessons before participating in the competition to gain confidence!
Cafetalk sponsors music recitals.
今年度の参加者募集中です。
2025年8月銀座ヤマハホールで開催いたしました。
Mai Sakamoto Cafetalk name: mai.piano
ピティナ・ピアノコンペティション2024新人指導者賞受賞。
第18回ベーテン音楽コンクール優秀指導者賞受賞。
ブルグミュラーコンクール2025レッスン賞受賞。
【講師プロフィール】
東京藝術大学音楽学部器楽科ピアノ専攻、同大学院修士課程卒業。その後オーストリアへ渡り、ザルツブルク・モーツァルテウム大学修士課程を満場一致の最高得点で卒業。ミュンヘンピアノコンクール 2023（ドイツ）プロフェッショナル部門第2位。ラフマニノフピアノコンクール 2023（アメリカ）優勝。
さかもとピアノ教室主宰。福山学芸園演奏特別コース講師。全日本ジュニアクラシック音楽コンクール審査員。