Honens discovers and launches the careers of Complete Artists—
21st century pianists for 21st century audiences.
In 1991, philanthropist Esther Honens established The Esther Honens International Piano Competition Foundation in her hometown of Calgary, Canada, with a gift of $5 million. Her dream was to discover and launch the careers of the world’s most promising pianists—a dream that has become a Canadian success story. Honens Laureates are critically acclaimed the world-over and the triennial ‘Search for the Complete Artist’ awards the largest prize of its kind—$100,000 CAN and an artistic and career development program valued at a half million dollars. In addition to touring and presenting its Laureates worldwide, Honens presents concerts and learning and community outreach programs across Canada.