The Simon-Fiset Suite of Competitions
The Simon-Fiset Competitions were established to encourage young students to continue the serious study of music by acknowledging their exceptional ability, application, and meritorious accomplishment by awarding monetary prizes in the areas of composition, piano, and strings. The legacy of these outstanding opportunities represents one of SMTA’s premier offerings for young musicians in the Seattle area. We hope to see you and your students at next season’s Simon-Fiset!
Click here to read about the history of these competitions.
Piano Division
The Simon-Fiset Piano Division is supported by a generous gift from Willard Schultz.
Chair: Thom Stuart
Event Dates: February 8 - 9, 2025
Location: Seattle Chamber Music Society
2024 Results: Click here to view
Guidelines: Click to download 2023 Guidelines
SMTA is happy and proud to present the annual Simon-Fiset Piano Competition, which is scheduled for February 8 and 9, 2025. We are also thrilled that last year’s host, Seattle Chamber Music Society (“SCMS”) will again welcome us to their beautiful, state-of-the-art center in downtown Seattle at Union Square.
We are also excited to announce our 2025 Simon-Fiset Piano adjudicators, Dr. Donna Lee, Coordinator of Piano Studies at Kent State University and Dr. Stephen Pierce of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Please visit the SMTA web site to read their bios.
Also, please check Staccato Notes and the website for registration and other details. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to Thom Stuart, SMTA VP of Competitions or Dr. Leann Osterkamp He, SMTA’s new Administrative Coordinator and interim co-chair of the Simon-Fiset Piano event for 2025. You can reach either contact at: simonfisetpiano@gmail.com.
Registration will be open mid-December 2024 through mid-January 2025. Please watch for exact dates, fees, and details.
Calling all volunteers!! We need you to help with the 2025 Simon-Fiset Piano event! If you are interested and able to help volunteer on-site during the competition, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to simonfisetpiano@gmail.comfor more info and to join Team Simon-Fiset at our 2025 event!
Performance space at Chamber Music Society
Venue: Seattle Chamber Music Society
2025 Adjudicators:
Dr. Donna Lee, Coordinator of Piano Studies at Kent State University
Dr. Stephen Pierce, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
Dr. Stephen Pierce
South African born pianist, Stephen Pierce enjoys a varied career as a teacher, presenter, performer, adjudicator, clinician, and scholar. At the University of Southern California, he oversees the secondary piano and keyboard pedagogy programs and teaches applied piano and piano pedagogy. Stephen also teaches piano privately in Pasadena, and at Interlochen Arts Camp each summer.
A regular presenter throughout the US and South Africa, Stephen has given presentations, masterclasses and workshops in South Africa and the United States at conferences such as the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP), and for arts entities such as The Gilmore. His written contributions have appeared in journals such as Piano Pedagogy Forum, and The South African Music Teacher, as well on the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Online Teacher Portal, and the Yamaha Educator Suite.
Stephen has performed in the USA, Canada, Czech Republic, and throughout South Africa, and won prizes and awards for his playing including second prize and two special prizes at the UNISA National Piano Competition in South Africa. He has also received awards for his teaching including the D.J. Rhoode Overseas Scholarship for Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Africa (UNISA). In addition, his performances have been broadcast on South African television and radio.
Stephen is an MTNA Foundation Fellow, as well as an RCM Academic Ambassador, Examiner and Certified Teacher. He is currently CAPMT Collegiate Chapter state chair and formerly served as the CAPMT Vice President for Conferences, District 9 Director and as editor of CAPMT Connect. Stephen holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and two licentiates of music from the University of South Africa. His mentors include Joseph Stanford, Frank Weinstock, and Michelle Conda. For more information, visit his website: stephenpiercepiano.com
Strings Division
Chair: Jan Coleman
Registration will be late February through early March. Please watch future Staccato Notes and the website for details and information on the dates, fees, and strings adjudicator or contact Jan Coleman at jan.coleman.violin@gmail.com.
2024 Results: Click for results of this year’s competition
Event Date: TBD
Location: TBD
2025 Adjudicator: TBD
The Simon-Fiset Strings Competition is open to students ages 5-18 who have not graduated from high school.
Questions? Contact the SMTA office at smtaoffice@gmail.com.
Composition Division
Chair: Dr. Leann Osterkamp He
Registration Period: March 1, 2025 - March 24, 2025
Winners Announced: April 30, 2025
Location: Online submissions
Updated Rules/Guidelines/Application Coming Soon -
Click here to view the 2023 Rules & Guidelines
Simon-Fiset Composition accepts submissions from students in first through twelfth grade grouped into four divisions. New composers are encouraged to enter! All submissions require a complete score and audio recording of the composition (live instruments or digital instrumentation). Students may submit more than one composition but must submit a separate application and fee with each submission. See the rules & guidelines linked above for more information.
All entrants receive age-appropriate positive and constructive written feedback from the adjudicator. Submissions receiving first through third places will receive Visa gift cards. All students will receive a certificate for participation.
Contact the SMTA office for more information.
Dr. Jared Miller
Described as a “rising star” by MusicWorks magazine, JUNO-Nominated composer Jared Miller has collaborated with the American Composers Orchestra, the Nashville Symphony, the symphony orchestras of Vancouver, Toronto, Detroit and New Jersey, The Attacca Quartet, Latitude 49, the New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and Standing Wave. His music has been presented in the New York Philharmonic Biennial, the ISCM World Music Days, Vancouver’s Queer Arts Festival and the Festival Internacional de Jóvenes Orquestas.