2026 COMPETITION

Entries for the 2026 Zildjian Young Drummer of the Year competition have now closed. Follow the competition here as the finalists showcase their skills and compete on a national stage.

Competition Details:

  • Entries Open - June 22nd, 2026
  • Entries Close - July 29th, 2026

  • Top 40 Announced - August 10th, 2026
  • Top 10 Announced - August 24th, 2026

  • Finals Event - October 11th, 2026 (Held in Nashville, TN) - Click here to buy tickets for the final event.

ZILDJIAN'S 2026 US YOUNG DRUMMER OF THE YEAR

2026 Winner - Jahdiel C. Aviles

Congratulations to the 2026 competition winner, Jahdiel C. Aviles!

View all 2026 performances  

TOP 10 FINALISTS

Here is the 2026 final 10 in forename alphabetical order:

Carlos Armstrong Jr.
Colin O’Brien
Dorian Edward Cast Jr.
Jackson Bournival
Jahdiel C. Aviles
Jonathan Burks Jr.
Kristian Todorov
Leo Beaumont
MJ Hendrickson
Xuanjin Ren (Aaron）

TOP 40 FINALISTS

Here is the 2026 final 40 in forename alphabetical order.

  • Adele Wang
     Andrew Tian
     Axton Abdel-Hafez
     Brooks Arthur Mort
     Brooks Barli
     Bryce Meszler
     Bryan Claude Commisso
     Caleb Hilario
     Carlos Armstrong Jr
    Charlie Eliot Rent
     Colin O’Brien
     Crews Wilkinson
     Daniel Constantinescu
     Dominick De La Cruz
     Dorian Edward Cast Jr
     Jackson Bournival
     Jaclynn Schoen
     Jahdiel C. Aviles
     Jemarion Deontae Moreland
     Jeremiah Dewayne Whidbee-Tippit

  • Jonathan Burks Jr.
    Jordan Vogel
    Kristian Todorov
    Ky-Mani Caines
    Leo Beaumont
    Malik Johnson
    Marco Lamberti
    Mark Mirzaie
    Matthew Castillo
    MJ Hendrickson
    Reece Herzner
    Ryan Thomas Formato
    Sachin Pradeep
    Sami Sanghrajka
    Tyler Anthony
    Wyatt DeHaan
    Wyatt Gras
    Xiaotian (Freddie) Chun
    Xuanjin Ren (Aaron)
    Zach Zelasko