The top 5 pianists performing on Friday 12 September are:

Tonight the final three pianists (the women) will be performing for the first time.

7.30 have been with us all day getting the colour, the people, the pianists and a behind the scenes look at this year's Australian National Piano Award. This arts story will go to air this Friday night. Stay tuned.

Greeted by the adjudicators, committee, board members and the Mayor Counsellor, Jenny Houlihan - thirteen musicians got to meet each other. We drew the ballot order of performance and it all starts tomorrow. Welcome everyone

Berta Brozgul's passport is a well-stamped one. Born in South Africa to Ukrainian holocaust survivors, growing up in outer Melbourne and now studying in Austria, the 24-year-old star pianist is used to travelling for her art.

Classical pianist Ben Austin is one of 13 pianists under the age of 30 competing for the Australian National Piano Award, held in Shepparton, Victoria.

Ben Austin one of our finalists for this year's Award was gracious enough to get out of bed early (not a small thing for a muso who went to bed after 2am from rehearsals!).

Here's a short clip of 2014 competitor, Ben Austin, filmed during his interview with ABC News.

Iranian-born Amir Farid, 32, a professional pianist, has been friends with Daphne Turnbull, 70, a retired dancer, since he was billeted in her home 10 years ago. At the time, Amir was a contestant in the Australian National Piano Award held each year in Shepparton, Victoria.

BERTA Brozgul’s selection to compete in a prestigious competition was music to her ears.