The Piano League® team is happy to announce Dr. Oliver Jia will be joining the team as executive director of the 2026 Piano Star International Competition to lead planning and operations for the upcoming season. He will be working closely with contestants, families, judges, partners, and our team to ensure this fall’s competition runs smoothly.
Dr. Jia, a past Piano Star judge and currently the Chair of Piano and Klipsch Artist-In-Residence at the University of Central Arkansas, is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Yale University, and The Juilliard School. His wide-ranging performance career – which includes solo, chamber, and concerti – has spanned across the world and includes appearances at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, and the Manhattan Center.
“I am excited and honored to step into my new role as Executive Director of the Piano Star International Competition,” said Dr. Jia. “I would like to thank Brian and Sherry for their tireless work in making the competition the success it is today. In addition, I look forward to working with the Piano League® team, as we collectively strive to serve the interests and needs of our young pianists and the worldwide piano community as a whole.”
As Piano League® continues to grow and expand its work across multiple initiatives, appointing Dr. Jia will streamline and focus our energy on strengthening our broader platform, including Pianist Express™, to better support pianists, music professionals, and our global community. Having dedicated leadership for the upcoming competition allows us to focus on long-term growth while still delivering an artistic, successful 2026 season.
“Piano Star began as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when concert halls around the world were forced to close,” said Brian Lin, founder and CEO of Piano League®. “Since then, it has grown into a global competition that has served thousands of young pianists and brought together a worldwide piano community through both online and in-person events. As we look ahead, I am excited to welcome Oliver, who brings the experience and leadership needed to guide the 2026 competition.”
The Piano League® team wants to give Oliver a warm welcome, and we can’t wait for you to get to know him better in the coming year. We also want to thank our broader community for supporting our mission to expand accessibility for pianists globally through performance opportunities, resources, and industry support.
We’re looking forward to expanding our impact and can’t wait to share more about what we’ve been working on – and, as always, let the music begin!
About Piano League®
Piano League is a comprehensive platform that provides a centralized and professional space for pianists and artists of all ages, levels, and backgrounds to connect. The goal of Piano League is to create a community where individuals, both seasoned pianists and those who appreciate music casually, can come together to share their love of music – without the barriers that define the traditional landscape. Piano League offers the annual global Piano Star International Competition, Pianist Express™, and more at thepianoleague.com.
About the Piano Star International Competition
The Piano Star International Competition, currently in its sixth season, is an annual competition that draws together hundreds of applicants from around the globe. It is an accessible opportunity for young artists to gain exposure and experience in professional, competitive environments, receive valuable feedback from industry-leading judges, and compete for cash prizes, scholarships, titles, and more. Need more information or have any questions? Email us at pi*******@************ue.com.
