'Villa de Bilbao' 2026 Piano and Violin Competition Celebrates Young Talent

The historic halls of the Bilbaina Society resonated with exceptional youth talent this past weekend as the 2026 'Villa de Bilbao' Piano and Violin Competition officially concluded its latest edition. The prestigious event wrapped up with an emotional awards ceremony, highlighting the profound connection between mathematical precision and musical artistry.

This cultural fixture operates under the banner of the '2M: Music & Mathematics' initiative. Developed by the Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM)—a premier research institution holding three consecutive Severo Ochoa distinctions (2013, 2018, and 2021)—the competition is a core component of BILBOMATH. This strategic alliance between the Bilbao City Council and BCAM focuses on fostering internationalization and pioneering new pathways for global talent attraction.

The 2026 iteration drew more than 50 gifted contestants born between 1993 and 2017, providing a highly competitive arena designed to spur the artistic growth of young pianists and violinists. The closing ceremony brought together key institutional figures to honor the participants, including Gotzone Barandika, Vice-Rector for Transfer and Internationalisation at EHU; Itziar Basagoiti, Director of the Bilbao Conservatory; and Lorea Gómez, General Manager of BCAM. She quotes “this competition serves a dual purpose: it enriches our local mathematical and musical culture while offering a launchpad for the next generation of classical young musicians."

The jury recognized outstanding performances across various age brackets. While all runners-up were honored with medals and diplomas, the top-tier victors in each category received official commemorative plaques and diplomas.

Violin Section

• Category D: Clara Calvo Baldó
• Category F: Alonso Ferrera Vidigal
• Category I: Cid Canelas Daza (awarded a €1,000 scholarship)

Piano Section

• Category C: Uxue Filibi Alonso
• Category D: Oier Zeberio Erauskin
• Category E: Sofía Huerta Castrillo
• Category G: Nicolás Pérez-Nieves Baquedano (awarded a €500 scholarship)
• Category H: Joseba Korta Pacheco (awarded 750€ scholarship)
• Category I: Juan Carlos Zafra (awarded 1,000€ scholarship)

The realization of this event relies on a network of regional institutions. The 2026 edition was made possible through the sponsors: HAPDE group at EHU, Bilbao City Council, BCAM, the Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga Conservatory of Bilbao, the Bilbaina Society, Hinves Spirio, and Ikerbasque (the Basque Foundation for Science).