John Perry – In Memoriam
Discovery homeSign up for email updatessubmit a question The Frances Clark Center is deeply saddened by the passing of John Perry – virtuoso, mentor, teacher, and friend. His legacy will continue to inspire pianists for generations, and we honor his memory. In greatest honor and...
What Is Your Favorite Piece of Technology and How Do You Use It?
Keyboard Companion Autumn 1991; Vol. 2, No. 3
Marguerite Miller, Editor Soon after the inaugural issue of KEYBOARD COMPANION, I received a testimonial about the many uses of a drum machine. Later, the same teacher wrote enthusiastically about the teaching advantages of a technologically-enhanced acoustic piano—the Disklavier. I have been saving these two...
A Tribute to James Lyke at Ninety: Reflections from Three Colleagues
Spring 2023; Vol. 15, No. 1
A Legacy in Piano Education and the Piano Conference By Sam Holland The original National Conference on Piano Pedagogy (NCPP), convening for the first time in 1979, was the result of a unique and powerful partnership between Richard Chronister and James Lyke. Through his writings,...
July/August 2015: Questions and Answers
July 2015; Vol. 7, No. 4
Sam Holland In March of 2015, I was surprisingly blessed to receive MTNA’s Teacher of the Year Award. So many people wrote to me after the ceremony asking for a transcription of my remarks that I decided to consider it a sign and reproduce it...
September/October 2017: Questions and Answers
September 2017; Vol. 9, No. 5
QUESTION: I’ve read that Frances Clark often used classics, literature, and social sciences that don’t seem related to piano teaching in her pedagogy classes. Would you comment on this and, if possible, give some examples? ANSWER (Part III): In the last issue, we explored an essay...
November 2018: Questions & Answers
November 2018; Vol. 10, No. 6
Q: If travel costs prohibit me from attending valuable conferences such as NCKP, what are other ways I can pursue professional development? A: It is true that by the time you factor in airfare, lodging, meals, registration fees, and lost income, the cost of attending a major conference in person is substantial....
November/December 2017: Questions & Answers
November 2017; Vol. 9, No. 6
Q: This is the time of year when high school students are considering college and preparing for auditions. As a music administrator, do you have any suggestions for me and/or my students that would help us make good decisions? A (Part I): There are many...
May 2018: Questions and Answers
May 2018; Vol. 10, No. 3
Q: Is it OK for a student to continue study if they don’t practice? I have a student who reads well and enjoys her lessons, but honestly, each time I see her, our time is spent practicing. A: As a rule of thumb, I believe...
March/April 2017: Questions and Answers
March 2017; Vol. 9, No. 2
Q: I’ve heard that you use films as source material for pedagogy classes. Would you share an example and discuss how and why you do this? A: Great films capture human experience in a myriad of ways and can be very effective as teaching tools because...
May/June 2017: Questions and Answers
May 2017; Vol. 9, No. 3
Question: I’ve read that Frances Clark often used classics, literature, and social sciences that don’t seem related to piano teaching in her pedagogy classes. Would you comment on this and, if possible, give some examples? Answer: This is true and it’s something about which I...
July 2018: Questions and Answers
July 2018; Vol. 10, No. 4
For this issue, Sam Holland invited Jennifer Snow, Executive Director of the Frances Clark Center, to answer the following questions: What is the value of professional development for piano teachers? Why is it important? Central to inspired teaching is inspired learning. Engaged teachers are eternal...
July/August 2017: Questions and Answers
July 2017; Vol. 9, No. 4
QUESTION: I’ve read that Frances Clark often used classics, literature, and social sciences that don’t seem related to piano teaching in her pedagogy classes. Would you comment on this and, if possible, give some examples? ANSWER: This is the second response of what could...
January 2018: Questions and Answers
January 2018; Vol. 10, No. 1
This is Part 2 of a response that began in the Nov/Dec 2017 issue of Clavier Companion. Q. This is the time of year when high school students are considering college and preparing for auditions. As a music administrator, do you have any suggestions for...
January/February 2017: Questions and Answers
January 2017; Vol. 9, No. 1
Q: The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) happens this summer. How is the program shaping up? Can you share some of the highlights? A: I am delighted to talk about NCKP 2017 and shameless in my wish for every keyboard music educator in the...
November 2013: Questions and Answers
November 2013; Vol. 5, No. 6
Q: Recently I’ve seen the term “Teaching Artist” appear in stories on education and the arts in my hometown newspaper. What is a Teaching Artist? Is a Teaching Artist different from an Artist Teacher? And should I, as an independent piano teacher, learn more about...