Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) is a professional organization for music teachers that administers the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the United States. The MTNA National Student Competitions offer cash prizes ranging from $300 to $5,000 across performance and composition categories. The 2026-2027 competition cycle includes Junior (ages 11-14), Senior (ages 15-18), and Young Artist (ages 19-29) divisions. The MTNA Foundation Fund also provides grants, career awards, and teacher fellowships. Registration deadline for the 2026-2027 cycle is September 9, 2026.

How MTNA Scholarships and Competitions Work

MTNA administers two main competition tracks: Performance Competitions and Composition Competitions. Both follow a three-tier structure (State, Division, National) for most categories.

Performance Competitions

The three-tiered Junior, Senior, and Young Artist Performance Competitions begin with State Competitions (live or video, depending on the state). State winners advance to a video-only Division Competition. Division winners compete in person at the National Finals during the MTNA National Conference, April 2 to 6, 2027 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Junior Performance (Ages 11-14 on January 1, 2027)

• Entry fee: $95
• Categories: Piano, String, Woodwind
• National Winner: $1,000 (Piano sponsored by Kawai America; String and Woodwind by MTNA Foundation Fund)
• National Second Place: $500
• National Third Place: $300
• Additional prizes: $500 Ebony Music Prize for best performance of a work by a Black composer; $500 Chopin Foundation Prize for best Chopin performance (Piano)

Senior Performance (Ages 15-18 on January 1, 2027)

• Entry fee: $110
• Categories: Piano, Piano Duet, String, Woodwind
• National Winner: $2,000 (String and Woodwind by MTNA Foundation Fund; Piano by Yamaha Corporation of America)
• National Second Place: $1,000
• National Third Place: $500
• Piano Duet National Winning Duo: $2,000 (sponsored by Weekley and Arganbright)

Young Artist Performance (Ages 19-29 on January 1, 2027)

• Entry fee: $135
• Categories: Piano, String, Woodwind, Brass, Voice
• String and Woodwind National Winner: $3,000 (MTNA Foundation Fund)
• Piano National Winner: $5,000 (Steinway and Sons)
• National Second Place: $1,500
• National Third Place: $750
• Brass and Voice are two-tiered (preliminary video round plus live finals at the National Conference)
• Additional prizes: $1,000 Ebony Music Prize

Composition Competitions

Composition Competitions are also three-tiered (State, Division, National) with four age levels: Elementary (ages 5-10), Junior (ages 11-14), Senior (ages 15-18), and Young Artist (ages 19-29). National winners have their compositions performed at the MTNA National Conference.

• Elementary Winner: $500 (sponsored by Alfred Music)
• Junior Winner: $1,000 (sponsored by Alfred Music)
• Senior Winner: $2,000 (MTNA Foundation Fund)
• Young Artist Winner: $3,000 (MTNA Foundation Fund)
• Entry fees: $50 (Elementary), $70 (Junior), $100 (Senior and Young Artist)

Chamber Music Competitions

Two-tiered competitions (preliminary video round plus live finals at the National Conference) for String and Wind ensembles. Seven ensembles are selected in each category from a nationwide pool.

MTNA Foundation Fund Awards

The MTNA Foundation Fund provides additional awards and grants:

• Studio Teacher Fellowship: Recognizes an outstanding independent music teacher
• Power of Innovation Award: Recognizes creative approaches to music teaching
• Gateway Prize: Awarded to a young artist
• Joyce B. Cowin Career Grant: Supports career development
• Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant: Supports career development
• Foundation Fund Grants: Support MTNA's mission to advance music study and music making

Membership Requirements

MTNA active membership dues must be paid before submission of the competition registration. A $200 nonmember teacher fee is assessed if the entrant's teacher has not paid active membership dues for the 2026-2027 membership year.

Real-World Example

A 22-year-old violinist studying at a university in Ohio could enter the 2026-2027 Young Artist String Performance Competition. They would register by September 9, 2026, paying the $135 entry fee. Their teacher must be an MTNA active member. They would first compete at the Ohio State Competition (live or video, depending on the state). If they win, they advance to the Division Competition (video-only). If they win at the division level, they travel to St. Louis for the National Finals during the MTNA National Conference, April 2 to 6, 2027. The national winner receives $3,000 from the MTNA Foundation Fund and performs on the Young Artist Winners Concert.

A 16-year-old pianist could enter the Senior Piano Performance Competition. The national winner receives $2,000 from Yamaha Corporation of America. They could also compete in the Senior Composition Competition if they write original music, potentially winning an additional $2,000 from the MTNA Foundation Fund.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

MTNA competitions are the most established and prestigious student music competitions in the country. They offer several advantages over other scholarship programs.

First, the three-tier structure means you get three performance opportunities with feedback at each level. Even if you do not win at the national level, you gain valuable performance experience and written comments from judges at the state and division levels.

Second, the competitions are open to a wide age range (5 to 29). Whether you are an elementary school student just starting out or a young adult in a graduate program, there is a category for you.

Third, the composition competitions allow you to submit original works. National winners have their compositions performed at the MTNA National Conference, which is a significant career milestone for any composer.

Fourth, MTNA membership provides benefits beyond competitions, including access to the American Music Teacher journal, business resources, insurance programs, and professional development webinars. Student membership is affordable and grants access to both national and state-level opportunities.

To maximize your chances, join MTNA early, find out whether your state holds live or video competitions, prepare your repertoire carefully (no changes are allowed after registration), and attend the annual conference if you advance to nationals.

Related Opportunities

• ASCAP Foundation Scholarships for composers and songwriters
• ACDA Scholarships for choral students and conductors
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Music Awards Directory for performance and composition prizes
• Visit the MTNA Competitions page for official guidelines and registration
• Visit the MTNA Foundation Fund for grants and career awards