Jim Chou wins top prize at 2026 Washington International Piano Competition

Dr. Jim Chou of New York City won the Grand Prize at the 2026 Washington International Piano Competition in Washington, D.C., after four days of performances by 21 pianists from around the world. Ivan Wong and Phil Hosford took second and third place as the event capped its finals and gala at the Mexican Cultural Institute.

Why it matters: - The Washington International Piano Competition remains a major showcase for adult non-professional pianists, pairing cash prizes with performance opportunities in the nation’s capital. - The 2026 edition drew 21 pianists from countries around the world and highlighted the depth of talent in a niche but long-running competition. - The event also connected music with international cultural diplomacy, with support from the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Mexican embassy.

What happened: - Dr. Jim Chou, a cardiologist from New York City, won the Grand Prize of $3,000 and an invitation to perform at the WIPAC Winners Grand Prix Concert in Washington, D.C., traditionally held the following April. - Ivan Wong, an engineering manager from Richmond, B.C., Canada, won Second Prize and $2,000. - Phil Hosford, an arts academy director from Gaithersburg, Maryland, won Third Prize and $1,000. - The competition unfolded over three stages and four days at four locations in Washington, D.C. - The finals, awards ceremony and gala dinner were held at the Mexican Cultural Institute.

The details: - Chou also won the Audience Prize and the award for Best Performance of a Chopin Work. - Chou’s program included Ravel’s "Gaspard de la Nuit," Prokofiev’s Third Piano Sonata, a Bach Prelude and Fugue, Rachmaninoff’s Etude-Tableaux Op. 39 no. 5, Liszt’s Rigoletto Concert Paraphrase and Chopin’s Third Sonata. - The Grand Prize cash award was donated by board members and competition committee chairs Mark Stubis and Qin Sun Stubis. - Wong performed a program of Bach, Liszt, transcriptions of works by Bach and Schubert, and Medtner. - Hosford performed works by Beethoven, Scarlatti, Brahms, Chopin, Ravel, Debussy, Scriabin and Liszt. - Longtime board members Portia and Mike Davidson gave $250 to each of the other three finalists: William Bloomquist of Riva, Maryland; Illya Bunyakyn of Maryland; and Jonathan Shih of Seattle, Washington. - Special awards of $250 went to Jonathan Shih for Best Performance of a Baroque Work, Illya Bunyakyn for Best Performance of a Classical Work, Catherine Doss of Manassas, Virginia, for Best Performance of a Romantic Work, Jonathan Shih for Best Performance of a Contemporary Work, and William Bloomquist for the Most Imaginative Programming Award. - The Audience Award, sponsored by Suzanne Finney, went to Jim Chou. - Composer Awards of $250 each went to Reiko Osawa of Itami, Hyogo, Japan, for Bach; Phil Hosford for Beethoven; Jim Chou for Chopin; Yuchao Zhou of Redwood City, California, for Rachmaninoff; and Yoko Taruki of Yokohama, Japan, for a Latin American composer. - A special Press Award went to Phil Hosford. - WIPAC honored Dr. Raymond Jackson with a special plaque for longtime support. - Gifts for participants were donated by Faye and Mike Rokni, plaques were donated by Diane Merriam, and flowers and bouquets came from Portia Davidson and Jeanne Blackwell.

Between the lines: - The competition’s prize structure and sponsor-supported awards show how WIPAC leans on private donations and volunteer backing to sustain the event. - The broad slate of composer and repertoire awards encourages varied programming, not just technical virtuosity. - The press jury also arranged a global internet TV broadcast of the finals through Virtual Concert Halls™, expanding the audience beyond Washington.

What's next: - Chou is set to perform at the WIPAC Winners Grand Prix Concert in Washington, D.C., next April. - WIPAC will continue its annual concert series and international competition for non-professionals as part of its broader mission to support musical talent. - More information is available at WIPAC.