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Meadows is celebrating a major milestone for one of its rising young artists. First-year piano student Matthew Scott has been selected as one of just 32 competitors in the 2026 Gina Bachauer International Young Artists Piano Competition, widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for teenage pianists.

Chosen from a global pool of applicants representing 28 countries, Scott advanced through the preliminary round in New York City and will travel to Salt Lake City this June to compete. Finalists will perform with the Utah Symphony in Abravanel Hall, marking a significant opportunity on an international stage.

“Each stage of this competition has been a great experience, and I was so excited to proceed to the live preliminary round in New York City,” says Scott, who was also recently named a Young Steinway Artist. “That was an unbelievable opportunity and I was grateful just to have made it that far, so when I found out I made it to the next round, I was proud be able to represent the Meadows School of the Arts and my professor.”

At Meadows, Scott studies under Carol Leone, Chair of Piano Studies and Professor of Piano. Leone recognized his exceptional talent early on, long before he arrived on campus. Leone first heard Scott perform four years ago when she served on the jury of an international competition and though he was only 14 at the time, his talent was immediately evident.

Before beginning his undergraduate studies, Scott spent the 2024–25 academic year in the Meadows Young Artist Program, where he further refined his artistry. Since arriving as a full-time student, he has quickly established himself as a standout performer.

“At 18, Matthew remains remarkably precocious—a pianist who can learn large-scale repertoire quickly and perform the most demanding virtuosic works,” says Leone. “He possesses a highly agile mind and technique, and his sensitivity and beauty of tone are striking.”

That combination of technical command and musical sensitivity was on full display during the Bachauer preliminary round, where Scott performed works by Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók. Now, as he prepares for the next stage of the competition, he will present two solo programs totaling 60 minutes, with the possibility of advancing to a final concerto round.



Since arriving on campus, Meadows has provided Scott a wide range of opportunities to perform and present his hard work, including rehearsing with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra which is an experience that could prove invaluable if he advances to perform a concerto with the Utah Symphony.

As the only competitor from Texas and one of just ten Americans selected, Scott’s achievement also reflects the strength of the Meadows program on an international level.

“Matthew represents the excellence of Meadows,” Leone says. “His presence brings international visibility not only to himself, but to the school. He is also an inspiration to other students and has already made a meaningful impact as a collaborative musician.”

Competitions like the Gina Bachauer are transformative milestones in a young musician’s development and require the mastery of an extensive body of repertoire. These opportunities also offer invaluable exposure to leading professionals in the industry and experiences that help lay the groundwork for a global artistic career.

This June, Scott will represent both his studio and his school on an international stage as one of the world’s elite young artists. And as he prepares for the competition, he carries not only his own ambitions but also the support of the Meadows community.