MoCA\CT announces finalists for the 50th Annual Heida Hermanns International Music Competition

(L) Matthew Figel (United States), Juhee Lim (Korea), Daria Podorozhnova (Russia) are the finalists in the 2026 Heida Hermanns International Music Competition.

The Museum of Contemporary Art \ Connecticut has selected three finalists to compete in the 50th annual Heida Hermanns International Music Competition. The final round will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 19 Newtown Turnpike in Westport.

Matthew Figel of the United States, Juhee Lim of Korea, and Daria Podorozhnova of Russia will compete in the event. In addition to their chosen repertoire, each pianist will debut a new piece commissioned from composer Samuel Adams.

The scheduled program runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning with individual 45-minute performances by each finalist. A refreshment break and judicial deliberation will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., followed by the official awards ceremony.

A panel of judges led by pianist Frederic Chiu, along with Steven Spooner and Milana Strezeva, will evaluate the final performances. The first-place winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize and a solo recital engagement, while second and third place will receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.

The initial selection process was managed by first-round judges Amy E. Gustafson, David Kaplan, and Adam Tendler. Information regarding event attendance and tickets is available through the museum website.

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MoCA\CT announces finalists for the 50th Annual Heida Hermanns International Music Competition