Read more reviews from past finalists, teachers, and parents about their experiences with the Charleston International Music Competition. Their testimonials detail how our competitions have helped musicians gain recognition, build confidence, and progress in their musical journeys.
Thank you so much for the certificate of recognition and Musical Achievement Statement—it truly means a lot to me. Placing 3rd in the 2025 Spring Music Competition was such an exciting and encouraging experience. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to perform and be part of a community that values and celebrates music.
This competition has helped me grow not only as a musician, but also as a more confident performer. Preparing for it pushed me to refine my technique and interpret music in more personal and expressive ways. Knowing that my hard work paid off is incredibly motivating, and it inspires me to keep improving and striving for excellence.
I’m especially honored to be invited to the Leaderboard, and I definitely look forward to participating in more of your competitions in the future. Thank you for supporting young musicians like me—we truly appreciate everything you do!
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Charleston International Music Competition, in the piano category. It was a great honor to present my work at such a prestigious artistic and cultural event. Taking part in this competition was an incredible experience that I will carry with pride and joy throughout my musical journey.
This has been a wonderful experience to me and I’m just so grateful to be awarded the 1st place. I can’t wait for what’s ahead for me in the future. I plan to participate on more competitions and building myself a career as a musician.
Diego Elias
I have no words to describe how grateful and honored I feel that my son Evan was awarded 1st place on the 2025 spring piano competition. As a father, I try to give my son the tools and opportunities he’ll need to be successful, especially when I didn’t have those opportunities as a young musician, so this achievement means the world to me. Thank you so much!
First of all, I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in the competition. Through the process of learning the music and practicing in order to collaborate with the piano to create art was just amazing. I am so thankful to my family and my wonderful teacher for introducing me to the Charleston International Music Competition and for helping me come all this way. Overall, my experience was incredible and I can’t wait for my next opportunity to share music with others.
I re-read the letter regarding my performance. I still am in disbelief! I have played the piano since I was old enough to push my sister off the piano bench, as the story goes…I was about 3. My mom said I would change my songs from major to minor, before I was taking lessons. Piano pulled at me like gravity, and I was always at the piano. So much so, that when I went off to college, my parents bought me a Clavinova with weighted keys, so I wouldn’t be without an instrument in my dorm.
I offered this competition to one of my piano students. His mother’s response was, “You should enter!” I had no idea that I would go so far in the competition. It’s an incredible feeling to play the piano and be recognized. Thank you for your kind words and certificate. I can’t wait to frame it!
This experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone. It’s one thing to make a recording, it’s another to share it with the judges…now I’m forwarding the link to my friends and asking for their support in the fan favorite post-competition endeavor. Hearing their praise continues to “fill my jar”…so to speak. Thank you for showing me the benefit of creating musical recordings to share with friends and family both near and far. What a life lesson!
Dear Charleston International Music Competition Organizers and Judges,
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to God and to all of you for the incredible opportunity to participate in the Charleston International Music Competition. For me, songwriting is a deeply personal process, a way to reflect on the emotions, feelings, and aspirations that shape my life experiences and mold my character.
I have a personal story about how I became more actively involved in songwriting, and I’ve found it to be a therapeutic outlet for navigating life’s challenges. To have my work recognized by such talented professionals in the music industry fills me with immense joy and gratitude. I am particularly thankful to all the members who provide a platform for talented individuals, irrespective of age or race. I am truly delighted with the results of the competition.
Thanks to the judges selecting me as a winner of the piano competition! I am so delighted and happy to know this competition and compete in it! It definitely helps me better know my skills and gives me an opportunity to compete internationally along with other musicians around the world. As a finalist, I want to thank the Charleston International Music Competition by providing a great music platform for musicians around the world. My experience is great! I enjoy competing and I am happy to receive my prize!
This was my first experience competing with my music outside of the California Merit program, and it was a very different experience for me. I truly learned how to express my music through personal style and body language rather than just technique or memorization. It was an extremely valuable experience and I’m confident that I will carry these qualities through every aspect of my playing, both competitively and recreationally. I’m so honored to participate in the Charleston music competition and definitely hope to participate again in the future!
Winning third prize in this competition means so much to me. It’s a big encouragement on my musical path. I’ve learned a lot through this experience and feel more inspired than ever to keep improving. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!