PRESS RELEASE: 15 MAY 2026
Congratulations to all the student participants of the 2026 Piano Inspires Kids composition contest! It was our pleasure to review all of the video game scores and designs received—we were excited by the large number submitted in all age categories.
Winning compositions will be published in the Piano Inspires Kids Summer issue, Video Game Music, and available for download on our website kids.pianoinspires.com. Visit our YouTube channel @pianoinspireskids to hear performances by the winning, runner-up, and honorable mention composers along with a picture of their video game character.
Age 7-9:
- Winner: Adam, Mr. Awesome
- Runner-Up: Eden, The Lazy Cat
- Runner-Up: Elle, The Wandering Door
- Honorable Mentions: Charlie, Ella L, Mayka
Age 10-12:
- Winner: Cassia, Revenge of the Eyecat
- Runner-Up: Grace, Action Cat!
- Runner-Up: Jay, Ziziphus
- Runner-Up: Marco Antonio, Gaia
- Honorable Mentions: Iris, Wynne, Charlotte, Emma, Khoa
Age 13-15:
- Winner: Janelle, Kawaii Cat Cafe
- Runner-Up: Victoria, Eitan’s Theme
- Honorable Mentions: Logan, Lucy
Age 16-18:
- Winner: Kendall, Catch Me If You Can!
- Winner: Tallon, Moon Moth
- Runner-Up: Jaalah, Witching Hour at the Old Castle
- Honorable Mentions: Seth, Lane
A special thanks to all the teachers who supported their students in this contest:
- Amanda Koskoletos
- Angela Michael
- Anna Johnson
- Anne Smith
- Ashley Wilson
- Azusa Higotani
- Beth Larsen
- Bridget Butt
- Chirapa Wungkaom
- Christina Tio
- Dan McCurry
- Dianna Anderson
- Elizabeth Davis
- Elizabeth Swift
- Emily Barr
- Emmanuel Cabrera Lagunas
- Fiona Christiano & Carla Salas-Ruiz
- Hanna Lim Murphy
- Ingrid Clarfield
- Janet Tschida
- Jodie Jensen
- Joseph Harkins
- Kirstie Chen
- Laurel Nolin
- Malissa Chapin
- Marissa Leonino Lange
- Mary Reese
- Matthew Fuerst
- Megan Emberton
- Megan Hall
- Meganne Woronchak
- Micah Rosenstein
- Minoo Dixon
- Molly Sanford
- Nathaniel Maxwell
- Sara Ernst
- Sarah Bryan
- Sarah Lappin
- Saša Malek
- Shane Lamb
- Stephanie Wang
- Stephen Hughes
- Susie Fong
- Svetlana Martin
- Wanda Kuntz
- Yu Han
Look for more submission opportunities at kids.pianoinspires.com/submit.