2026 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians

​1. General Information and Regulations

The Bella Music Foundation (BMF) International Music Competition is open to blind and visually impaired solo classical and jazz musicians of any nationality.

Applicants must meet the following age requirements as of the application deadline:

• Division I – Junior Division (Classical only): Ages 10–14
• Division II – Young Artist Division (Classical and Jazz): Ages 15–20
• Division III – Emerging Artist Division (Classical and Jazz): Ages 21–30

The competition is open to instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers.

• Classical Division: Ages 10–30
• Jazz Division: Ages 15–30

First Prize winners from the previous BMF International Music Competition may not compete in the same division at the next competition. They may return to the same division in the following competition. Winners advancing to a higher division are eligible to compete in the next competition.

Applicants must meet the legal definition of blindness or visual impairment in their country of residence or citizenship and submit official medical documentation verifying their eligibility.

Any documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation. All deadlines are based on U.S. Eastern Time (ET).

2. Application Procedure

Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
Application Fee: USD 90 (non-refundable)

Applicants must submit the following:

• Completed application form (https://forms.gle/vkrd11uhaXzrP9c99)​
• Official government-issued identification
• Proof of legal blindness or visual impairment
• PDF copy of the score (where applicable)
• Artistic résumé
• Recent headshot
• A YouTube or other video-sharing platform link to the audition video

All submitted materials become the property of Bella Music Foundation and will not be returned. 

3. Competition Procedure

Preliminary Round – Recorded Video Audition

• Applicants must submit one continuous, unedited video (3–15 minutes in length) recorded within six months of the application date.
• The contestant’s face and hands must remain visible throughout the performance.
• Finalists will be notified by email and announced on the Bella Music Foundation website on October 12, 2026.

Final Round – Live Zoom Audition

• Finalists will be invited to participate in a live Zoom audition between October 15–19, 2026.
• Audition times will be assigned by Bella Music Foundation and scheduled according to U.S. Eastern Time (ET).
• Finalists are responsible for providing a stable internet connection and must join the Zoom session at least 10 minutes before their scheduled audition.
• If accompaniment is required, a live accompanist must be used.
• Bella Music Foundation may record the audition for judging and archival purposes. Unauthorized recording or broadcasting is prohibited.
• Failure to appear for the scheduled audition may result in disqualification.
• Competition winners will be notified by email and announced on the Bella Music Foundation website on October 22, 2026.

4. Awards and Prizes

Total Cash Awards: USD 10,000

Division I – Junior (Classical, Ages 10–14)
First Prize: USD 500
Second Prize: USD 300

Division II – Young Artist (Classical, Ages 15–20)
First Prize: USD 1,000
Second Prize: USD 600

Division II – Young Artist (Jazz, Ages 15–20)
First Prize: USD 1,000
Second Prize: USD 600

Division III – Emerging Artist (Classical, Ages 21–30)
First Prize: USD 2,000
Second Prize: USD 1,000

Division III – Emerging Artist (Jazz, Ages 21–30)
First Prize: USD 2,000
Second Prize: USD 1,000

Additional First Prize Award
Dancing Dots will provide each First Prize winner in the five competition categories with either the GoodFeel suite (currently valued at $1,895) or Lime Lighter Liberty (currently valued at $1,849), depending on which best meets the winner’s individual needs.

Note: The Jury reserves the right to withhold prizes if the required artistic standard is not achieved. All decisions of the Jury are final.

5. Winner Performance Opportunities

First Prize Winners: All First Prize winners will be invited and must be available to perform at the Finale Concert of the 2026 Bella Music Foundation National Concert Tour Series on December 6, 2026, at Carnegie Hall – Weill Recital Hall in New York City. This invitation includes the opportunity to make a Carnegie Hall debut as part of the official concert program.

Second Prize Winners: Second Prize winners may also be invited to perform at the Finale Concert at the discretion of the Jury and Bella Music Foundation, based on artistic merit and programming needs. Such invitations are not guaranteed.

Participation Information

• Participation in the Finale Concert is optional for Second Prize winners. Second Prize winners who choose not to participate will retain all prizes and honors awarded through the competition.
• Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals, visa expenses (if applicable), and other personal expenses.
• If funding becomes available, Bella Music Foundation may, at its sole discretion, provide partial travel assistance. Such assistance is not guaranteed.
• Bella Music Foundation reserves the right to determine the final concert program, repertoire, and performer selection.

6. Audition Repertoire
No repertoire changes will be permitted after the application has been accepted.
Repeat performances of works previously submitted to a BMF competition are not permitted. 

Performance length: minimum 3 minutes, maximum 15 minutes.

Classical Division

• Perform one work from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary repertoire.
• A single movement is acceptable if it constitutes a complete musical statement.
• Arrangements, simplified editions, popular music, and non-classical selections from instructional or method books are not permitted.

Jazz Division

• Perform one jazz standard or one original jazz composition.
• Appropriate repertoire includes jazz standards, bebop, swing, Latin jazz, blues, ballads, and contemporary jazz.
• Only one work may be submitted.

Composition Applicants must submit: 

• A video or audio recording (maximum 15 minutes)
• A PDF score
• A brief program note
• An acoustic recording is preferred. A high-quality MIDI realization is also acceptable.

7. Additional Regulations

• The Jury will be appointed by Bella Music Foundation.
• All judging is confidential, and all decisions of the Jury are final.
• Bella Music Foundation Inc. reserves the right to photograph, audio record, and video record participants for educational, archival, and promotional purposes.
• Bella Music Foundation Inc. also reserves the right to interpret these regulations and to amend them when necessary. 

8. Contact
Bella Music Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (551) 255-0570 (USA)
Website: www.bellamf.org