Constance Lin Kaita, of Manalapan, N.J., was one of 16 finalists to compete in the 2008 International Institute for Young Musicians piano competition. The 2009 program kicks off Sunday.

Approximately 60 young pianists from across the United States and around the world will tickle the ivories at Kansas University the next few weeks as part of the International Institute for Young Musicians competition and workshops.

The institute, which has been around since 1990, offers opportunities for Lawrence residents to hear some of the stars of tomorrow in the classical piano world. And it offers the pianists a chance to hone their music skills.

“I would say the main thing is, all of these students are top bananas wherever they come from,” says Jack Winerock, a KU piano professor who teaches in the institute. “In many ways, practicing is a pretty isolated thing. Very often, they go to schools and they meet a couple of pianist of their level. They come here and get camaraderie and meet others who are interested in what they do.”

This year’s institute includes three students from Lawrence, the most ever: Chae Young Park, 11; Chung Man Kim, 13; and Ga Hee Lee, 16.

The institute kicks off with a competition starting Sunday. Semifinals are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Swarthout Recital Hall in KU’s Murphy Hall, with finals from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday. The competition is free and open to the public.

The IIYM competition winners will perform at 2:30 p.m. July 5 at the Lied Center. Tickets, available at the Lied Center box office, are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.

Additionally, three honor recitals, which are free and open to the public, are scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 and July 15 at the Lied Center.