About Us

Central Florida is renowned as an entertainment capital around the world.  It is the goal of the Florida International Piano Competition (formerly the Orlando International Piano Competition) to add to the worldwide recognition of our community to become a top international cultural destination as well.  With the early and continued support of our community and its corporate citizens, Central Floridians and visitors continue to enjoy performances and events on a world-class level.

As Founder of the Florida International Piano Competition, the 1st Florida International Piano Competition was a passion that became a reality.  Presented in 2008, twenty-two competitors were invited to participate in the weeklong competition.  Seventeen countries from around the world were represented with a distinguished international jury panel of judges hailing from six different countries.  Cash prizes totaling $40,000 along with performance engagements were awarded to the Finalists.  With an ideal destination, a substantial purse, and the highest of standards, the Florida International Piano Competition attracted pianists of the highest caliber from as far away as China and Australia.

Throughout the year, FIPC presents ongoing performances and events designed to enrich the cultural community of Central Florida.  Raising awareness of pianistic excellence, the Piano Concert Series brings world-class pianists to our community during the spring and fall seasons; educationally, the monthly Lunch and Learn series presents a lunchtime class on a variety of musical topics designed to stimulate and enrich.  The annual benefit, Symphony of the Arts, ends the season with a review and sneak-peak of what is to come.  Here, a featured artist displays works; Silent Auction items that involve so many in our community are on display; local boutiques provide an artistic fashion show during a fine dining experience.  Then, the finale of the evening culminates with a musical performance - a perfect ending to an evening of the arts.

Since 2008, the Competition’s three finalists have returned to Central Florida for performances in our annual Piano Concert Series and all three made their Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall presented by the Florida International Piano Competition.  The First Prize Winner, Yekwon Sunwoo, continues to excel in international piano competitions around with world with an intense international performance schedule.  In January of 2011, Yekwon returned to Central Florida receiving high accolades for his performance of Chopin’s piano concerto with our very own Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

The highly anticipated 2nd Florida International Piano Competition (September 4-11, 2011), held over a one-week period, begins with the Opening Ceremony on September 4 where the international candidates and judges arrive and are introduced and welcomed by FIPC and VIP guests in an elegant setting. Then the week begins on Monday with the First Rounds followed by the Semi-Final Rounds of the competition that encompasses competitors performing solo recitals for the audience and panel of international judges until the votes of the jury panel eliminates candidates to the point of three finalists remaining.  The Finals on September 10, take place with concerto performances by all three Finalists with the accompaniment of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The audience will enjoy all three performances as the Jury panel determines the winners with announcements made during the Closing Ceremony the same evening.  The competition ends with the Winners’ Encore Recital on September 11, given by the Finalists, as they showcase favorite pieces from their competition repertoire.

Thank you for considering the Florida International Piano Competition and the value it brings to our community culturally and economically, attracting audiences from our local community and the national and international community.   Few cities host international musical events of this magnitude and the international significance are of great importance to all who wish to make central Florida a world-renowned cultural destination.   With sincere appreciation…

Musically yours,

Ellen Hamilton
Founder / CEO