MA Competition

In 2026, the next edi­tion of MA Competition for Harpsichord takes place.
Applications closed. The first round will be streamed online on 15, 16 and 17 May 2026.
Watch the first round?
Stream the first round of the competition here:
Video MA competition
If you have any ques­tions, do not hes­i­tate to con­tact us on 

competition@​mafestival.​be.

About MA Competition

The MA Competition, founded in 1964, has grown into an unrivalled talent pool and a prestigious international music competition. Each year, talented young musicians from around the world get the chance to connect with leading professionals in early music and refine their artistic performance.

Over the past decades, the MA Competition has launched the international careers of renowned musicians such as Christophe Rousset (°1961), Kristian Bezuidenhout (°1979), Dmitry Sinkovsky (°1980), Jean Rondeau (°1991) and Justin Taylor (°1992)

MA Competition is a unique platform for the training and professional integration of young artists. Its mission: discover new talent and spark meaningful artistic encounters. This distinct position is strengthened by its close connection to the MA Festival.

The first round takes place digitally, ahead of the festival. Candidates are introduced to both the jury and the public via an online streaming platform. These online pre-selections in May have become an important moment for participants to present themselves to a wider audience.

The winner receives a cash prize, a series of concert invitations in Belgium and abroad, a place in the next edition of MA Festival, and the opportunity to record a CD with the internationally renowned Ricercar label.

In 2027 the MA Competition will be for Pianoforte.

Jury MA Competition 2026

During MA Competition 2026, the jury will be:

Korneel Bernolet (president)
Jean Rondeau
Béatrice Martin
Richard Egarr
Mitzi Meyerson

Applications

Find the timeline of MA Competition 2026 here.

rules & regulations
Applications open
23.02.2026, 00:01 — 08.03.2026, 23:59
First round
15 — 17.05.2026
Online
Rehearsals semi-final
03.08.2026
in Bruges
Semi-final
04.08.2026
in Bruges
Rehearsals final
05.08.2026
in Bruges
Final
06.08.2026
in Bruges

Hall of fame

Ontdek de winnaars van MA Competition door de jaren heen.
2012 | Harpsichord
Laureates
Mark Edwards
First prize
Jean Rondeau
First prize
Olga Pashchenko
Second prize
Mark Edwards
Prijs van de Provincie West-Vlaandere
Jean Rondeau
Prijs van de Provincie West-Vlaandere
Jean Rondeau
EUBO Trust Development Award
Olga Pashchenko
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Christine Schornsheim
Skip Sempé
Menno van Delft
Kenneth Weiss
2011 | Melodic instruments
Laureates
Anne Freitag (traverso)
First prize
Myriam Rignol (viola da gamba)
Second prize
Lucile Boulanger (viola da gamba)
Third prize
Anne Freitag (traverso)
EUBO Trust Development Award
Myriam Rignol (viola da gamba)
Audience Award
Toru Yamamoto (baroque cello)
Laureate
Members of the jury
Jan De Winne
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Philippe Pierlot
Anton Steck
Rainer Zipperling
2010 | Harpsichord
Laureates
Kazua Gunji
Second prize
Maim Emelyanychev
Second prize
Paolo Zanzu
Third prize
Stanislav Gres
Third prize
Maxim Emelyanychev
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Frédérick Haas
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Béatrice Martin
Kris Verhelst
2010 | Pianoforte
Laureates
Petra Somlai
First prize
Olga Pashchenko
Second prize
Ksenia Semenova
Third prize
Anthony Romaniuk
Laureate
Petra Somlai
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Claire Chevallier
Alexei Lubimov
Linda Nicholson
Ludger Rémy
Bart van Oort
2009 | Organ
Laureates
Ben Van Nespen
First prize
Jean-Philippe Merckaert
Second prize
Simone Vebber
Third prize
Jean-Philippe erckaert
Audience Award
Litz Aoki
Laureate
Members of the jury
Nicolau De Figuiredo
Johannes Geffert
Lorenzo Ghielmi
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Theo Jellema

Partners

MA Festival Brugge can count on the sup­port of these artis­tic part­ners for the organ­i­sa­tion of MA Competition:

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