88 Keys in 88 Hours – Thank You to Our Donors
Back to Discovery Blog Home Share your love of the piano and help support The Frances Clark Center by “purchasing” a virtual piano key during our 88 Keys in 88 Hours donation campaign for Piano Day 2025! Starting tomorrow, our virtual piano keys will be...
Piano Day 2025 – Coming Soon!
Back to Discovery Blog Home Share your love of the piano and help support The Frances Clark Center by “purchasing” a virtual piano key during our 88 Keys in 88 Hours donation campaign for Piano Day 2025! Starting tomorrow, our virtual piano keys will be...
DEIA Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Resolutionby the Board of Trusteesof the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy March 2025 At the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, we stand united in our commitment to fostering an environment where diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are not only ideals...
Samantha Coates, Rethinking Piano Education with Creativity and Humor | S2 E24
In this episode of The Piano Inspires Podcast, Craig Sale is joined by Samantha Coates who shares her journey from traditional piano lessons to becoming an innovative educator, author, and advocate for making music learning more engaging. She discusses the power of humor in teaching,...
The Frances Clark Center Announces the 2025 Outstanding Service Recognition Award Recipients
PRESS RELEASE: 16 MARCH 2025 The Frances Clark Center Outstanding Service Recognition Awards celebrate the deep dedication and long-standing contributions to the Center by leading professionals in the field. These exceptional individuals sustain and fulfill the mission of the Center by providing ongoing leadership, highest...
Mario Ajero, The Future of Piano Teaching in a Digital World | S2 E23
In this episode of The Piano Inspires Podcast, special guest and technology guru Dr. Mario Ajero joins host Alejandro Cremaschi, as they explore how technology transforms piano education. From the rise of online lessons to the evolution of digital tools, he shares insights on how...
Leila Viss, Sparking Creativity and Curiosity in Piano Education | S2 E22
Host Andrea McAlister is joined by Leila Viss, who shares how creativity, curiosity, and flexibility can transform piano education. She discusses the power of improvisation, adapting lessons to students’ needs, and encouraging exploration beyond the written score. Tune in for inspiring insights on making piano...
The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Schedule Announcement
Back to Discovery Blog Home We are pleased to announce the schedule of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025! Returning to the Westin Chicago Lombard Hotel (Lombard, IL), The Piano Conference features a new, innovative in-person summit. This opening one-day summit engages the full community and...
Gail Berenson, The Power of Mentorship in Shaping Pianists and Educators | S2 E21
In this episode of The Piano Inspires Podcast, Dr. Gail Berenson reflects on the transformative role of mentorship in piano education. She shares personal stories about the teachers who shaped her journey, the importance of guiding the next generation, and how collaborative learning creates lasting...
Courtney Crappell, Embracing Innovation and Growth in Piano Education | S2 E20
In this episode of The Piano Inspires Podcast, Jennifer Snow is joined by Courtney Crappell who discusses the evolving world of piano education and the power of lifelong learning. He shares how starting piano later in life shaped his approach to teaching, the importance of...
Celebrate the Power of a Piano Lesson This Valentine’s Day
Back to Discovery Blog Home Music has the power to transform lives, and it all starts with a single lesson. This Valentine’s Day, show your love for music and the teachers who make it possible by donating the value of one piano lesson to the...
Barbara Fast, Exploring Passion, Pedagogy, and the Art of Teaching Piano | S2 E19
In this episode of The Piano Inspires Podcast, host Pamela Pike is joined by Dr. Barbara Fast, who shares her journey from a musically rich childhood to becoming a leader in piano pedagogy. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her teaching philosophy, the importance...
Publications Launch Party: Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers
Webinar with Connor Chee and Renata Yazzie Weaving Sounds is a collection of beginner piano repertoire written by the vibrant and diverse voices of Native and Indigenous composers from the Diné, Mohawk, Anishinaabe, Cree, Blackfoot, Jicarilla Apache, Choctaw, and Mohican communities. Each piece is a...
Rochelle Sennet, Championing Diversity and Inclusion in Piano Education | S2 E18
In this episode, Dr. Rochelle Sennet shares her journey as a pianist, educator, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in classical music. She reflects on the importance of representation in piano education, her discovery of Black composers like George Walker, and how she fosters...
Announcing the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Back to Discovery Blog Home We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. All are welcome to join us at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 to celebrate these extraordinary individuals. Gary Ingle Susanna Garcia Craig Sale William Chapman Nyaho Barbara...