A Celebration of Music, Talent & Community
The Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a week-long celebration of music that welcomes pianists of all ages—from Hawaii and around the world—to learn, perform, and grow together.
Alongside the Festival, the Keʻalohi International Piano Competition shines a spotlight on extraordinary young pianists, inspiring audiences and connecting Hawai‘i to a global network of music lovers.
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Founded in 2006 by pianist Lisa Nakamichi, the Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a non-profit organization committed to educating Hawaii’s students and teachers. AIPF addresses three main needs: the need for music teacher training, the need for low-cost music concerts and music education opportunities, and the need for high-caliber classes and lessons for piano students.
The mission of the AIPF is to promote musical enrichment, innovation and diversity through a nationally-recognized education program, music festival, concerts, teacher enrichment workshops, and competition. AIPF strives to elevate the standards of music education in Hawaii while offering the rare opportunity for Hawaii’s students to be able to study with the most revered concert pianists and teachers from around the world. As a result of volunteer efforts and work to minimize administrative costs, AIPF has consistently offered programs at low and affordable rates for more than a decade.
Over the past two decades, AIPF has welcomed internationally renowned artists and teachers--such as Jon Nakamatsu (Cliburn Gold Medalist), Fabio Bidini (Busoni top prize), Kevin Kenner (Chopin top prize), and Sara Davis Buechner (Tchaikovsky bronze medalist)— nurtured hundreds of students, and inspired audiences across the islands. Yet at its heart, the Festival has always been about people — the relationships, stories, and memories that have shaped us. Our alumni now perform and teach around the world, carrying with them the spirit of aloha wherever they go. This legacy belongs not just to the Festival, but to the entire community that has supported us from the beginning.
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2026 Festival
2026 Festival
Each summer, the Aloha International Piano Festival brings together pianists, teachers, and audiences in a shared celebration of music and aloha. From inspiring young local performers to world-class masterclasses, concerts, and community programs, the 2026 Festival will honor our traditions while opening new doors for learning, connection, and creativity across Hawaii and beyond.
2026 International Piano Academy
Ages 9 and Up
At the heart of AIPF is the Aloha International Piano Academy — a weeklong program of masterclasses, workshops, and lessons with world-renowned faculty. Designed to be accessible, the Academy offers reduced tuition and scholarships, ensuring every eligible young pianist can take part. Learn more here.
2026 Local Solo Competition
Up to Age 18
To launch the 2026 Aloha International Piano Festival, will host an in-person solo competition for Hawaii's young pianists ages up to age 18. Participants will perform a short solo work for Festival judges, with top winners earning cash prizes and the opportunity to perform in masterclasses and at the honor’s concert as part of the 2026 Festival. Learn more here.
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2026 International Amateur
Solo Competition
Ages 30+
AIPF also welcomes adult musicians through its in-person Amateur Competition, open to pianists age 30 and above. This division celebrates non-professional pianists—those whose primary income lies outside of music—by giving them a supportive space to share their artistry and passion on stage. Learn more here.
2026 International Virtual
Solo Competition
Up to Age 25
AIPF also offers a Virtual International Competition for pianists up to age 25, providing young artists from around the world the opportunity to participate regardless of location. This division invites developing pianists to showcase their technique, musicality, and personal voice through a high-quality video submission evaluated by distinguished judges. Learn more here.
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2026 Grand Piano Extravaganza
Each year, the Festival culminates in an All-Star Concert, a celebration of artistry, collaboration, and aloha. The program features local guest artists and faculty, sharing the stage in an evening that showcases the very best AIPF’s musical community. More than a concert, it’s a reflection of the talent, mentorship, and shared spirit that define the Festival.
2026 Festival Events
June 6 @ 9am
Orvis Auditorium
Aloha International Piano Festival
Local Piano Solo Competition
FREE-No tickets required!
Experience the excitement of the Aloha International Piano Festival Local Solo Competition — a dynamic showcase of Hawaiʻi’s rising young pianists
Presented as part of the 2026 Aloha International Piano Festival, this free public event invites audiences to experience the passion, artistry, and dedication of talented local pianists up to age 18 as they perform before an esteemed panel of Festival judges, including Robert Koenig, Jon Nakamatsu, Lisa Nakamichi, Noriko Uenaka, T.J. Keanu Tario & Nicholas Keone Lee.
More than a competition, this FREE event is a celebration of Hawaiʻi’s vibrant musical community and the next generation of artists. Top winners will earn cash prizes and the opportunity to perform in Festival masterclasses and the Honors Recital later in the week.
June 6 @ 4pm
Orvis Auditorim
Aloha International Piano Festival
International Amateur
Piano Solo Competition
FREE-No tickets required!
Experience the joy and artistry of the Aloha International Piano Festival's International Amateur Solo Competition — a unique celebration of passionate adult pianists from around the world
Presented as part of the 2026 Aloha International Piano Festival, this free public event welcomes non-professional musicians age 30 and above to share their music on stage in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi before an esteemed panel of Festival artists and judges, including Robert Koenig, Jon Nakamatsu, Lisa Nakamichi, T.J. Keanu Tario & Nicholas Keone Lee.
More than a competition, this special event celebrates lifelong musicianship, personal artistry, and the vibrant community that music creates. Audiences are invited to experience a diverse range of performances from dedicated pianists whose love of music continues alongside careers and lives beyond the concert stage.
June 9 @ 1pm
Mission Memorial Auditorium
Aloha International Piano Festival
Aloha Piano Lab
Private Event
Aloha Piano Lab is an exclusive educational opportunity within the Aloha International Piano Festival, offering local young pianists the chance to work directly with internationally acclaimed Festival Artists Jon Nakamatsu and Robert Koenig.
Available only to selected participants in the Festival’s Local Solo Competition, this private event provides a rare opportunity to receive personalized artistic guidance in an intimate and supportive setting. Through live coaching and musical exploration, students will deepen their understanding of performance, musicianship, and artistic expression while working closely with two distinguished Festival artists.
More than a masterclass, Aloha Piano Lab reflects the Festival’s commitment to nurturing Hawaiʻi’s next generation of musicians. Reserved exclusively for participating students, their families, and teachers, this special event celebrates artistic growth, mentorship, and the transformative power of music education.
June 10 @ 1pm
Atherton Studio in the
Hawaii Public Radio Station
Aloha International Piano Festival
Aloha Festival Masterclass
FREE-No tickets required!
Experience the artistry, insight, and inspiration of the Aloha International Piano Festival Masterclass — a special opportunity to observe the Festival’s Academy students working directly with internationally acclaimed pianists and educators Jon Nakamatsu and Robert Koenig.
Presented as part of the 2026 Aloha International Piano Festival, this FREE public masterclass offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process as talented young pianists refine their performances through live coaching, musical exploration, and expert guidance. Audiences will gain a deeper appreciation for the craft of piano performance while witnessing the transformation that occurs when exceptional teaching meets dedicated preparation.
More than a lesson, this enriching event celebrates the spirit of mentorship, discovery, and artistic growth that lies at the heart of the Festival experience.
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June 13 @ 4pm
The Cathedral of St. Andrew
Aloha International Piano Festival
Honors Concert
FREE-No tickets required!
The Aloha International Piano Festival Honors Recital celebrates the remarkable young pianists of the 2026 Festival in an inspiring evening of performance at the historic Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Presented near the culmination of the Festival week, the Honors Recital showcases Festival participants who have spent the week studying independently with internationally acclaimed Festival Artists through intensive private lessons, musical exploration, and artistic collaboration. The program will feature a vibrant selection of solo piano works performed by rising musicians whose artistry, individuality, and dedication have defined the spirit of this year’s Festival.
June 14 @ 4pm
Orvis Auditorium
Aloha International Piano Festival
Grand Piano Extravaganza
Five Artists. Two Pianos. One Grand Finale
The Grand Piano Extravaganza brings together Festival Artists Jon Nakamatsu, Robert Koenig, Noriko Uenaka, and Hawaiʻi’s own T.J. Tario (Laritza), alongside Founder & Artistic Director Lisa Nakamichi, in a rare, high-energy celebration of the piano in all its brilliance.
Program: Mozart’s Sonata for Piano Four Hands in D Major; Faure’s Dolly Suite; Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite (Two Pianos); Milhaud’s Scaramouche Suite (Two Pianos); Khachaturian's Sabre Dance (Two Pianos, Eight Hands); and Gounod’s Faust Waltz (Two Pianos, Eight Hands).
AIPF In the Community
Music for All
At AIPF, we believe great music should be accessible to everyone. Our programs combine world-class artistry with meaningful community engagement. We bring international artists to Hawaii to connect local students with global mentors, and provide free public events that invite audiences to experience the joy of live performance. Each program strengthens Hawaii's cultural landscape and creates opportunities for collaboration across education, tourism, and the arts.
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Kanikapila - Music & Talkstory
AIPF has explored new ways to connect with the community through one of the newest initiatives—Kanikapila - Music & Talkstory. Festival faculty and student artists share talk-stories and mini concerts, blending culture, creativity, and music in a spirit of aloha.
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