About us
“Every child can know the joy of making music at the piano.”
– Frances Clark
The Frances Clark Center
The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy is a not-for-profit educational organization 501(c)(3) that serves the advancement of piano teaching, learning, and performing through highest quality resources and programs. The Center includes the divisions: Piano Magazine, Piano Inspires Kids, Journal of Piano Research, NCKP: The Piano Conference, New School for Music Study, Online Teacher Education, and Piano Education Press.
The Center strives to enhance the quality of lifelong music making, educate teachers dedicated to nurturing lifelong involvement in music making, and develop and curate the highest quality resources that support an artistic and meaningful learning experience for all students regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. The work of the Center is based on the philosophy of music educator Frances Clark (1905-1998) whose life work revolutionized the field of music education in the twentieth century.
Piano Magazine
Piano Magazine is the leading resource for pianists, piano teachers, and piano enthusiasts. We bring you informative, interesting, and inspiring ideas on all aspects of piano teaching, learning, and performing. The official name of Clavier Companion magazine was changed to Piano Magazine in 2019. Subscribe to print or digital for access to the full resources of pianoinspires.com! https://pianoinspires.com/magazine/
Piano Inspires Kids
Piano Inspires Kids is a quarterly print publication that contains engaging content for piano students, offers a space for student-created ideas and submissions, and provides the teacher with activities and curricular materials for use in teaching. https://kids.pianoinspires.com/
Journal of Piano Research
The Journal of Piano Research fills the need for a high-quality source of research articles dedicated to piano teaching, learning, and performance. It is an international, peer-reviewed publication promoting the exploration, discussion, and dissemination of high-level research that will advance professional practice and scholarship. https://journalofpianoresearch.org/
Piano Education Press
Publications for students and teachers alike, representing the highest quality resources from respected members of the piano educator community. https://pianoinspires.com/publications/
Online Teacher Education
Community events, online courses and microcourses, mentor connections, webinars, and opportunities for growth through internships, fellowships, and more. https://pianoinspires.com/
NCKP: The Piano Conference
Only happening once every two years, NCKP: The Piano Conference is the premiere gathering for pianists to learn foundational teaching practice, discover new teaching and performance repertoire, network with other professionals in the field, and explore the latest in piano resources, ideas, and trends. https://pianoinspires.com/nckp-the-piano-conference/
The New School for Music Study
The nationally recognized institution founded by Frances Clark and Louise Goss, providing pre-college piano instruction in Kingston, NJ. In addition to private and group lessons, The Frances Clark Center offers a range of teacher education initiatives at The New School for Music Study, including The Comprehensive Practical Pedagogy Program, The Fellowship Program, an Applied Teaching Practicum, a Residency Program, and Summer Intensives. https://nsmspiano.org/