The 9th KEPMA CUP 2026
Acoustic Guitar Competition
FINALSTAGE
Finals Announcement
Rise toward the light.
Let your music shine.
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105 musicians from around the world.A fiercely contested semifinal round.30 finalists now advance to the final stage.The ultimate showdown is about to begin.
01Semifinal Results
Following the judging panel’s assessment, we are announcing the top 15 semifinalists in each of the Fingerstyle and Guitar & Vocals categories.
The scores referred to are the semifinal averages. Names follow the order of the semifinal results sheet; this is neither the final ranking nor the performance order for the finals.
Fingerstyle15 finalists
- CHUN SANGHYEOK
- Hyungjoo Lee
- Siwoo Lee
- Juheon Lee
- 郭祺龙
- 林怀科
- 廖鹏宇
- 黄源灏
- 运泽金
- 张一豪
- Shinyoung Lee
- 刘犀灵
- 石敬轩
- 杨一辰
- GEUNHA KIM
Guitar & Vocals15 finalists
- SION KIM
- 尚苇杭
- 许安言
- 陈尘
- 牛金铠
- 付梓俊
- 陈棨正
- 王博思
- 贺骏晔
- 汪猛
- 刘佳
- 刘易阳
- 刘禹
- 王弘哲
- 徐舒萌
02What to Expect at the Finals
Winners of major competitions worldwideMeet on one stage
This year’s KEPMA CUP brings together musicians with diverse musical backgrounds and playing styles from across the world. Among them are winners and prize recipients from major competitions in China and abroad, including Japan’s FPD (Morris FingerPicking Day).
As these accomplished musicians share a stage, there will be much to listen for: polished performances, expressive musicianship and the details that come alive in the moment. Expect a compelling meeting of contrasting styles.
Original Music
Takes the Spotlight
Original compositions accounted for 30% of the semifinal entries—a record high for the competition.
More musicians are choosing to compete with their own compositions. Through melody, harmony, structure and arrangement, they bring their experiences, musical tastes and imagination into their work, giving audiences the chance to discover new music.
This enthusiasm for creating music makes KEPMA CUP more than a test of performance skills: it is also a place to share original work and exchange ideas. At the finals, we look forward to hearing the distinctive music that will define this year’s competition.
KEPMA CUP Masters ShowcaseChampions Meet the Masters
A special Masters Showcase will bring the winners of the Fingerstyle and Guitar & Vocals categories together on stage with three artists: 蓝海鹏, 王晔慜 and EDDIE VAN DER MEER.
蓝海鹏KEPMA brand ambassador and experienced musician; national MVP and Best Guitarist in the “百事群音” music competition.
王晔慜KEPMA partner artist and fingerstyle guitarist; winner of the Grand Prize and Composition Award at MORRIS FINGERPICKING DAY 2023.
EDDIE VAN DER MEERKEPMA partner artist and renowned fingerstyle guitarist from the Netherlands.
Beyond the competition, this performance gives the category winners a chance to connect with professional guitarists and share their music, while audiences experience the appeal of different musical styles up close.
Celebrating talent in all its formsAwards That Recognize
Every Kind of Excellence
Alongside first, second and third prizes, the competition will present Awards of Excellence and five special awards to recognize the musicians’ diverse talents.
- Best Original Composition
- Best Arrangement
- Best Stage Performance
- Rising Star
- Jury’s Special Award
The five special awards will be announced and presented during the evening Masters Showcase, celebrating more of the outstanding moments from this year’s competition.
03Judges and Competition Rules
The Finals Judging Panel
Every thoughtful composition and performance deserves to be heard with care. Eight musicians have been invited to judge the finals, bringing their professional perspectives to the competitors’ performances on the final stage.
Changes to the Fingerstyle Format
Many musicians in this year’s competition have entered original compositions. To give due consideration to the different qualities of original pieces and covers, the organizing committee has decided that the Fingerstyle finals may be divided according to the types of pieces registered by the finalists.
If the registered repertoire meets both of the following conditions:
- Original compositions registeredAt least 6 pieces
- Cover pieces registeredAt least 4 pieces
The Fingerstyle category will be divided into separate Original Composition and Cover Performance categories.
If either condition is not met, the Fingerstyle category will remain undivided and follow the existing competition format.
This change applies only to Fingerstyle. The Guitar & Vocals format remains unchanged.
The final grouping will be announced by the organizing committee after repertoire registration.
Scoring: 100 Points
The judges will assess each performance across four areas—technique, musicality, stage performance, and creativity and arrangement—using a 100-point scale:
| Area | Points |
|---|---|
| Technique | 40 points |
| Musicality | 30 points |
| Stage performance | 20 points |
| Creativity and arrangement | 10 points |
For the detailed competition rules, please refer to the official materials provided by the organizing committee.
04Finals Day Schedule
Venue: Xingzai Cultural Center, Shanghai (星在文化中心, formerly Bandai Namco Shanghai Culture Center)
October 28, 2026
All times are local time in Shanghai (UTC+8).
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 09:00—12:30 | Guitar & Vocals finals and awards ceremony |
| 14:00—17:30 | Fingerstyle finals and awards ceremony |
| 19:00—21:00 | KEPMA CUP Masters Showcase, five special awards and group photo |
05Join Us in the Audience
Audience reservations are accepted through an online form. Scan or tap the QR code below to complete your reservation.
After reserving, please look out for the attendee list and further admission instructions. We look forward to seeing you in Shanghai on October 28.
Before You Attend
Please follow the published attendee list and admission instructions, and cooperate with staff during entry checks and seating.
Audience members must not bring guitars into the venue. Please silence your phone, remain quiet during performances and follow staff instructions when entering or leaving.
Please save your applause until each piece has finished so that the musicians’ performances can be heard in full.
From submitting the first entry to stepping onto the final stage, every step has been shaped by hours of dedicated practice.
Thank you to every participant, and to everyone who has followed and supported KEPMA CUP along the way.
October 28. The Final Showdown.
Rise toward the light. Let your music shine.
See you there.
Organizing Committee of the 9th KEPMA CUP Acoustic Guitar Competition 2026
