Join Alejandro Cremaschi as he interviews researchers of recently published articles that have looked into different aspects of Music Performance Anxiety, including research on causes, teacher attitudes, and treatments.
The 2025 NCKP Innovation Summit brought together musicians, educators, and visionaries to explore how music can drive positive change. In the first Peer Connections cohort meeting of the year, hear from Summit participants as they share the bold, forward-thinking ideas they developed to reimagine the musician’s role in creating a more sustainable and innovative future. From fresh approaches to education and performance to community-driven change, these “big ideas” are designed to inspire action and spark new possibilities. Whether you attended the Summit or not, please join us as we connect, reflect, and envision your own path as a change-making musician.
In an era where the arts face increasing barriers, how do we push forward to create transformative change? Stanford Thompson, whose groundbreaking work in arts education was featured on 60 Minutes, will share how confronting adversity head-on leads to powerful, perspective-shifting achievements. Join us for an inspiring discussion on resilience, momentum, and surging past obstacles to make lasting impact.
The hardest step in any venture is often the first one. Dr. Ross Salvosa, founder of a pioneering music arts academy in the Pacific Midwest, will share how bold action can ignite creativity and innovation. Learn how a single spark of an idea grew into a movement that revitalized his community—and how you can apply the same principles to your own projects.
Creating a sustainable and innovative future in piano education starts with understanding the communities we serve. In this webinar, we’ll explore how to identify local needs, discover new possibilities, and build authentic connections that support lasting change. Join past recipients of the Community Impact Award as they share powerful stories of using music to make a difference. Whether you teach in a private studio, school, or community setting, you’ll leave with fresh insights and practical tools to strengthen your impact.
Be part of the conversation shaping the future of piano education! Whether you attended the NCKP Innovation Summit or are simply curious about what emerged, this webinar will share a visual summary and key highlights from the 2025 Summit, offering a glimpse into the bold ideas and collaborative energy that filled the day. We’ll revisit the themes that surfaced, the questions that sparked new thinking, and the models that began to take shape.
Join us for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 as we gather together in person and online! The Piano Conference offers an inspiring experience dedicated to piano teaching, learning, and performing. New for 2025 is the inaugural NCKP Summit, a collaborative and interactive event designed to explore innovative teaching models, address current challenges, and chart a course for the future of the field.
Join Dr. Sara Ernst, Program Director, and Dr. Andrea McAlister, Summit Director, for an exclusive preview of this upcoming conference. Plus, webinar attendees receive an additional 10% off registration with an exclusive discount code.
The Collegiate Connections Webinar will highlight the outstanding work of pedagogy and collegiate groups. This a unique opportunity for selected groups of students to have their class projects featured by the Frances Clark Center. Join us at the 2024-25 Collegiate Connection Event on Friday, April 25, 2025 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Eastern. We look forward to highlighting the outstanding work of pedagogy and collegiate groups and to foster global community engagement among our collegiate cohorts and faculty.
AI and Student Motivation: Can Gamification and Adaptive AI Improve Practice Habits?
Victoria Barnette, Ryan Kee, Yuxiang Zhang
University of Missouri; Curtis Pavey, faculty mentor
Building Community Through Sound: Sensory-Friendly Concerts
Janna Peña, Ayunia Saputro, Mira Walker
University of Michigan; Paola Savvidou, faculty mentor
Designing Interactive Piano Events for the Community: Observations from Two Approaches
Lynnae Hurst, Katrina Kahlhamer, Samuel E. Pang
University of Oklahoma; Sara Ernst, faculty mentor
Join author Robert Weirich and host Shelly Freeman for the final segment of a four-part, open-access series discussing Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living. Each meeting will cover one portion of the book, with guided conversation around the topic of the month. A recurring link to attend will be provided by email upon registration. Re-registration for each event is not required. Participants are encouraged to attend all four meetings, or attend as their schedule permits. All are welcome!
The fourth and final meeting’s discussion (April) will focus on the validity and direction of music study; arts, politics, and advocacy; and the relevance of music in today’s culture. Participants are recommended to read pp. 312-382, and to submit any questions to author Robert Weirich and host Shelly Freeman using the button below.
Recollections gathers dozens of articles Robert Weirich wrote for various music journals, including Clavier, over the last four decades. The essays are linked by new writing that is both memoir and an exploration of the place of the arts in American society. Weirich addresses many aspects of making a career in music—from getting started to the importance of teachers, competitions, and the question of sustainability.
Whether one ascends to the Carnegie stage or teaches little fingers to play, the underlying aspirations—at their purest—are the same.
Purchase your copy today to read and participate in the Piano Inspires Book Club! Use code WEIRICHCLUB15 at checkout for 15% off list price.
Robert Weirich has enjoyed an extremely active career as a pianist, teacher, author, and composer. His COVID project was to collect many of his beloved Clavier columns into a book that also contains new writing–Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living.
Shelly Freeman is a lawyer who advises and trains employers on human resource issues. Although a lawyer by trade, her true passion is music. She has studied piano (off and on) since the age of five. She is a supporter of various arts organizations, including the Kansas City Symphony, and is a member of the Community Advisory Board of Classical KC 91.9 FM – a 24-hour classical music station based in Kansas City.
Questions? Please contact teachereducation@francesclarkcenter.org.
Join us for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 as we gather together in person and online! The Piano Conference offers an inspiring experience dedicated to piano teaching, learning, and performing. New for 2025 is the inaugural NCKP Summit, a collaborative and interactive event designed to explore innovative teaching models, address current challenges, and chart a course for the future of the field.
Join Dr. Sara Ernst, Program Director, and Dr. Andrea McAlister, Summit Director, for an exclusive preview of this upcoming conference. Plus, webinar attendees receive an additional 10% off registration with an exclusive discount code.
Air Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The Collegiate Connections Webinar will highlight the outstanding work of pedagogy and collegiate groups. This a unique opportunity for selected groups of students to have their class projects featured by the Frances Clark Center. Join us at the 2024-25 Collegiate Connection Event on Friday, April 25, 2025 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Eastern. We look forward to highlighting the outstanding work of pedagogy and collegiate groups and to foster global community engagement among our collegiate cohorts and faculty.
AI and Student Motivation: Can Gamification and Adaptive AI Improve Practice Habits?
Victoria Barnette, Ryan Kee, Yuxiang Zhang
University of Missouri; Curtis Pavey, faculty mentor
Building Community Through Sound: Sensory-Friendly Concerts
Janna Peña, Ayunia Saputro, Mira Walker
University of Michigan; Paola Savvidou, faculty mentor
Designing Interactive Piano Events for the Community: Observations from Two Approaches
Lynnae Hurst, Katrina Kahlhamer, Samuel E. Pang
University of Oklahoma; Sara Ernst, faculty mentor
Air Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Mingle with professionals to discuss strategies for fostering professional wellbeing. Discover roadblocks to finding balance in your workspace and explore how to manage and positively contribute to your creative and professional development.
Air Date: Friday, April 11, 2025
Join your colleagues in this virtual gathering to discuss how to promote spaces of belonging in our professional teaching and scholarly work. Share and reflect on thriving professionally as your authentic self and identity.
Air Date: Friday, January 7, 2025
Join author Robert Weirich and host Beth Sussman for the second in a four-part, open-access series discussing his book Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living. Each meeting will cover one portion of the book, with guided conversation around the topic of the month. The second meeting (February) will center around the importance of mentors and the sustainability of our musical world given issues of financial investment, structure of educational systems, continuing education for teachers, and more. Participants are recommended to read pp. 87-182.
Air Date: Tuesday, January 4, 2025
Need a copy of Recollections? Click here to order today!
Join author Robert Weirich and host Shelly Freeman for the final segment of a four-part, open-access series discussing his book Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living. Each meeting will cover one portion of the book, with guided conversation around the topic of the month. The fourth and final meeting’s discussion (April) will focus on the validity and direction of music study; arts, politics, and advocacy; and the relevance of music in today’s culture. Participants are recommended to read pp. 312-382.
Air Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Need a copy of Recollections? Click here to order today!