California Young Artist Competition

Discovering the next generation of soloist artists.

CYAS presents the California Young Artists Competition, a 3-round competition seeking to discover the next generation of soloist artists, held at Cal Lutheran University in beautiful Thousand Oaks, California.

CYAC Prize Purse

Artists compete for over $3,500 in cash prizes, a recording contract, and a soloist engagement with CYAS in the upcoming season.

Preliminary Round Distinctions

CYAC recognize over 20 artists for Preliminary Round Artist Distinction Awards, which are invaluable for scholarship and audition applications.

2026 Violin| Woodwinds
2027 Piano| Brass
2028 Cello | Viola | Contrabass

Competition Schedule

2026 Competition

March 15th Preliminary Round Deadline
March 22nd Advancing Candidates Announced
April 11th Semi-Finals
April 12th Finals

Violin | Woodwinds

Rules and Registration

Discovering the next generation of soloist artists.

2026 Violin| Woodwinds
2027 Piano| Brass
2028 Cello | Viola | Contrabass

CYAS presents the California Young Artists Competition, a 3-round competition seeking to discover the next generation of soloist artists. 

Artists compete for over $4,000 in cash prizes, a recording contract, and a soloist engagement with CYAS in the upcoming season.

Competition Schedule

2026 Competition

March 29th Preliminary Round Deadline
April 6th Advancing Candidates Announced
April 24th Semi-Finals
April 25th Finals

Violin | Woodwinds

Rules and Registration

2026 Competition Schedule

Preliminary Round

Sun March 15th 2026
Application and Recording Submission

The preliminary round consists of a submission of the artist’s Bio, CV, and a video recording of a single movement of the artist’s concerto selection and two compulsory works.

Advancing candidates are announced April 6th. 

Sun March 22nd 2026

Advancing Candidates Announced
Candidates that advance to the semi-final round are announced and receive travel, accompanist, and scheduling information.

Artist Distinction Awards Announced
Artist Distinction awards are announced, and signed certificates and recommendation letters are delivered within 30 days.

Semi-Final Round

April 11th 2026
Concerto Audition
8 to 10 semi-finalists

The semi-final round consists of a 20-minute audition performance of the artist’s concerto movement selected from the preliminary round, as well as a brief pre-selected excerpt of the remaining movements.

Candidates advancing to the final round are announced shortly after each division concludes.

Final Round

April 12th 2026
Finalist Recital and
Awards Ceremony
4 to 5 finalists

The final round consists of a 35-45 minute live recital, the program consisting of the artist’s concerto movement selected from the preliminary round, one of the preliminary round compulsory pieces, and additional repertoire of the artist’s choosing. 

Winners are announced in the evening at the closing awards ceremony.

Competition Prizes

Awards

Over $3,500 in prizes…

Rules and Registration

First Prize

CYAS Soloist Engagement

$ 1,000

Second Prize

$ 500

Third Prize

$ 250

Recording Engagement
A recording engagement may be presented to up to 2 finalists. The engagement includes a commercial recording release of an EP-Length album, including one filmed movement or work with distribution on all major streaming platforms. 

Rising Artist Awards
Candidates who do not advance to the semi-final round are eligible for recognition for outstanding recording submissions by grade category. Laureates are guaranteed a letter of recommendation from CYAC towards any college application of their choice.

Official Rules and Registration

Rules and Registration