The 7th Nanyang International Music Competition 2026

Onsite Finals

The 7th Nanyang International Music Competition 2026 Onsite Finals will be held at the Lee Foundation Theatre, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Singapore.

Organised by the NAFA School of Music, the Nanyang International Music Competition has always valued more than rankings alone. It is equally about the growth, exchange, and broadened horizons that young musicians gain along their artistic journey. While the online round offers a platform for performance, the Onsite Finals bring contestants into the real setting of a stage: facing a live jury, feeling the presence of an audience, and experiencing a moment that can never be replicated on screen. It is a musical experience that video simply cannot capture.

The Finals are held at NAFA not only for its professional theatre facilities, but for the institution's long-standing dedication to artistic education, cultural exchange, and rigorous musical training. For young performers, competing in such an environment offers a rare glimpse into the world of professional arts education, and a stage of growth worth remembering for years to come.

All of this unfolds in Singapore, a city where cultures meet and coexist. Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian traditions intertwine here, shaping a musical landscape that resists a single narrative. Tradition meets innovation, East meets West, and even a familiar piece can be heard anew, opening space for fresh interpretation and understanding.

On the stage of the Finals, contestants take part in more than a competition. It is a real test within an international artistic environment. Judges and fellow performers from around the world come together to form an open and dynamic musical space. Here, you will discover that musical expression never has just one right answer, and that what matters most is not only the award you may receive, but how this experience helps you rediscover your own voice.

We warmly invite every eligible contestant to come to Singapore, to step onto the stage of the Lee Foundation Theatre at NAFA, and to complete a performance that is truly their own. What you take away may be something more enduring than any prize: a genuine sense of the stage, a renewed understanding of music, and the courage to keep moving forward through cross-cultural exchange.