Carmel Arts RISING STAR LIVE Competition GENERAL INFORMATION - 2026

CARMEL ARTS RISING STAR LIVE COMPETITION MISSION:

To educate families and the community about the value and benefits of music & theater arts, motivate youth to discover and develop their special talents, so they can empower themselves to develop confidence, self-discipline, creativity and capabilities they can use further in life.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS for the Rising Star LIVE COMPETITION:

The Carmel Arts Regional Rising Star Competition is open to all pianists, singers, actors, dancers, and freestyle performers ages 5-18 from the Midwest region and beyond.
Dates: the competition is usually held live (Regional) in March and online (International) in May.
The competition accepts and encourages beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of performance and all styles of performing arts.
The competition will have competitive and non-competitive divisions.
Please, read the detailed rules for each division below.
There is no preliminary round. All applicants will be accepted to the final round of the competition.
Applicants of each category will be placed in the appropriate age group(s) based on experience.
Incomplete applications or those not including the required documents and fees will not be taken into consideration.
The competition fees, once paid, are non-refundable and will not be subject to reimbursement or return in any situation or condition. This policy applies without exception.
All rights for recordings, photos or broadcasts are reserved by the Carmel Arts Rising Star Competition and no fee is payable to any competitor for performances, photos, recordings, or broadcasts.
The competition is open to the public to watch free of charge.

QUICK LINKS

DIVISIONS:

Piano
Voice
Theater Arts/Dance/Freestyle

REGISTRATION:

LIVE Competition Dates & Times: Saturday, March, 8am – 6pm

LOCATION: Main Stage at the Monon Community Center in Carmel.

Note: each group will be assigned a specific time after all registrations are processed.

Registration Opens on November 23, 2025.

Registration deadline: January 17, 2026 by 6pm EST.

HOW TO REGISTER:

SUBMIT the REGISTRATION FORM and Pay online (it will take you to Paypal, you can pay with a credit card)

You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is processed.
Registration is not valid without payment.
Registration will close earlier if the maximum number of participants is reached before the deadline. Please, register EARLY.
You will be able to change/submit your repertoire later (by February 1st). Please, see the form below.
Waiting List: After the registration is closed, you will be able to submit your application to the waiting list. Late fees apply.
Duets/Ensembles: Each performer fills out their own registration form and pays separately.
FEES: Solo – $105; Duets/Ensembles – $60 per person
LATE FEE: A $25 late fee will be applied for registrations submitted after January 17, 2026, at 6 PM EST, if spaces are still available. $25 fee also applies to late repertoire submissions made after February 1.
$50 late fee applies to late repertoire submissions made after February 10.
Parent/Child Act – register together in one (solo) application. Put both of your names.

FINAL RESULTS:

All participants are invited to join the Awards Ceremony to receive their diplomas, medals, and trophies on the main stage at the Monon Community Center. Please, dress in the concert attire.

AWARDS CEREMONY: March, 4:30-5:30pm.

All competitors will be evaluated by a panel of judges and awarded 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and honorable mention awards for Pre-Elementary, Elementary A & B, Intermediate A & B, and Advanced categories. These awards are based on the skill, presentation, and general entertainment value of the performance.
All winning performers will receive a Diploma/Certificate, trophies or medals.
Participants will get an opportunity to participate in workshops led by professional artists.
Teachers/schools will be acknowledged with certificates of recognition.
A letter of acknowledgment is provided for college applicants by request.
Special prizes will be considered as they become available.
Limited registration fee assistance is available for eligible youth.

NON-COMPETITIVE DIVISION:

Students who would like to get a competition experience, but do not wish to participate in the competitive division, may enter a non-competitive category. Students will not be evaluated by the panel of judges, but receive a participation certificate. All application rules and deadlines apply.

LOCATION: Main Stage at the Monon Community Center. Address: 1235 Central Park Dr. East, Carmel, IN, 46032

RISING STAR RULES:

PIANO COMPETITION RULES

VOICE COMPETITION RULES

THEATER ARTS/DANCE/FREESTYLE COMPETITION RULES

ORIGINAL WORK (COMPOSITION) RULES