🌟 The 7th Stars of Summer Is Here — A New Season Begins

Dear Stars of Summer Family,

With great excitement and heartfelt gratitude, we are delighted to announce the opening of the

7th Annual Stars of Summer International Piano, Vocal, and Dance Competition & Festival.

Each year, this moment feels both familiar and new — familiar because of the friendships and traditions we have built together, and new because every season brings fresh inspiration, new artistic opportunities, and new milestones.

Most importantly, this competition exists because of you — our returning participants, devoted teachers, and supportive families who have helped shape The Stars of Summer into the vibrant international community it has become.

A Tradition That Continues to Grow

Over the past six years, The Stars of Summer has welcomed talented young artists from across the United States and around the world. Many of you remember the excitement of your first performance, your first awards ceremony, or perhaps your first experience performing with orchestra.

Those moments remain at the heart of what we do.

The Laureates Concert with Orchestra continues to be one of the defining experiences of the festival, giving young musicians the rare opportunity to collaborate with professional orchestral musicians — an experience that builds confidence, artistry, and lifelong memories.

We are especially proud that many of our returning participants continue to grow with us year after year, reaching new artistic levels and inspiring the younger generation that follows.

 A Historic New Chapter — Introducing The Seasons

This year marks an especially meaningful milestone in the history of The Stars of Summer.

We are honored to introduce The Seasons — a brand-new cycle for piano and orchestra by composer, pianist, and Chairman of the Jury Alexander Peskanov, created especially for The Stars of Summer and dedicated to our Musical Director and Co-Founder Olga Druzhinina.

This remarkable musical gift represents something rare:a major new work created specifically for the artistic life of our festival.

The cycle includes four movements:

 Winter — Winter Evening

 Spring — Cuckoo Birds

 Summer — Poigini Greine

 Autumn — Autumn Waltz

The premiere performance of The Seasons will take place during the Laureates Concert on August 30, presented as part of Cleveland’s One World Day Festival in the Russian Cultural Garden — one of the city’s most meaningful cultural landmarks.

For many of our participants, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform newly created music and take part in the birth of a new artistic tradition.

⭐ Introducing the Stars of Summer Founders’ Prize

To celebrate the creation of The Seasons, we are proud to introduce a new artistic distinction:

The Stars of Summer Founders’ Prize

This special prize will be awarded to performers who undertake the artistic challenge of presenting all four movements of The Seasons as a complete cycle.

To support participation, we are offering a special Founders’ entry fee of $300(instead of the standard $600 total for four Solo with Orchestra entries).

This category is designed for students who are ready to take on a bold and meaningful artistic journey — one that requires dedication, preparation, and imagination.

We believe this prize will become a signature tradition of The Stars of Summer in the years ahead.

To Our Returning Participants and Teachers

You are the heart of The Stars of Summer.

Your dedication, trust, and artistry have helped shape this festival into what it is today. Many of you have been with us from the earliest years, and it has been a privilege to witness your artistic growth — from first performances to confident, mature musicianship.

Teachers, your guidance and encouragement make these achievements possible. Your work behind the scenes shapes not only performances, but futures.

We are deeply grateful for the artistic community we share with you.

Looking Ahead to August 30

The 7th Laureates Concert promises to be one of our most exciting yet.

Presented during One World Day, Cleveland’s beloved celebration of global cultures, this year’s concert will bring together young artists, professional musicians, families, and audiences in a joyful celebration of music and community.

And at its center will be the premiere of The Seasons — a new work that will begin its life on our stage.

Join Us for the 7th Season

We warmly invite you to return to The Stars of Summer — whether as a performer, teacher, or supporter.

Registration details and deadlines will be shared soon, and we encourage early planning, especially for those interested in the Founders’ Prize category.

This new season promises to be one of discovery, growth, and unforgettable artistic moments.

✨ A new chapter begins — and we are honored to share it with you.

With gratitude and excitement,

Svetlana Stolyarova Executive Director The Stars of Summer International Competition & Festival