Power of a Piano Teacher

A Lifetime of Piano and Friendship

Written By Carol Salas

We would like to thank Carol Salas for this tribute to her teacher, Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

Marvin Blickenstaff with Carol Salas.

I have been an adult student at The New School for Music Study for 34 years. Marvin has been my teacher for so long that neither of us remembers how many years. I think at least 20 years! The fact that I have been studying piano beyond my 80th birthday is a testament to Marvin’s wonderful teaching. He is also an amazing person and friend. I now have a large repertoire of music that I love and can play for friends. And I intend to keep playing and learning as long as Marvin is there to help. – Carol Salas

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

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Inspiring Instructors: The Power of a Piano Teacher

Written By Rebecca Mergen Pennington, Heather Smith, Laurel Nolin, Rosangela Sebba, Kaitlynn Yardley

At The Frances Clark Center, we are honoring piano teachers who are working every day to make the world more empathetic, inclusive, and connected through the transformational power of music. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to the Frances Clark Center. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

Paula Flynn with her teacher, Eric Unruh.

The teachers featured here are making profound contributions to students at all stages, from the youngest beginners to college students, and to those who study later in life. These inspirational, personal stories testify to the timeless impact piano teachers have on their students and their communities.

Join us by honoring your teacher today through the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

Kaitlynn Yardley honors Yu-Jane Yang

Dr. Yang is a devoted teacher with a pointed focus on the highest success of each of her students. She took me where I was in my piano journey and helped me to see my potential and just how capable I am. I’ll be forever grateful for her influence!

Yu-Jane Yang with Kaitlynn Yardley.

Rosangela Sebba honors Belkiss Carniero de Mendonca

Belkiss was born in a small town in Brazil on February 15, 1928, and passed away on November 17, 2005. She moved to Rio de Janeiro to study at the National Conservatory, aiming to establish a music school back in her state. In 1956, she founded the State Conservatory, which later became responsible for forming the future faculty of the School of Music at the Federal University. She served as the director and piano professor from its inception until 1977.

Beyond her contributions to Brazilian culture and music, she taught a generation of pianists and piano professors from 1950 to 1996. Her legacy is deeply embedded in the history and development of Brazilian music. I had the privilege of studying with her for nine and a half years, starting when I was almost sixteen. The mere thought of playing for her made me tremble, not out of fear, but out of profound respect. Everything I know about technique, practice, and musicality was taught by her. She also championed the development of arts, letters, and music, which we closely observed and learned to promote. I owe her everything I know.

Belkiss Carniero de Mendonca with Rosangela Sebba.

Laurel Nolin honors Beth Bauer

Dr. Beth Bauer brings deep knowledge and commitment to everything and everyone she teaches. I had the privilege of studying with her at Wheaton College, IL. Dr. Bauer taught me my greatest pedagogical lesson as a piano teacher: students first. But beyond teaching this principle, Dr. Bauer lives it.

Dr. Bauer customized the lectures, assignments, and discussions to meet her students’ unique needs. I remember how she customized her Music in Special Education course to prepare the music education majors to accommodate individuals with disabilities in their classrooms while, at the same time, guiding my cohort of pedagogy and performance majors in designing materials for our studios. Dr. Bauer’s classes were not one-size-fits-all courses, just like Dr. Bauer is not a one-size-fits-all pedagogue. 

I personally experienced Dr. Bauer’s encouragement and am who I am now because of it. Her mentorship transformed not only my teaching but also my essence as a teacher as I endeavor to carry on the lessons she exemplified. 

Dr. Bauer doesn’t just teach her scholars how to put their students first; she leads by example by investing in her own students. She inspires each student to believe in themselves just as much as she believes in them. By prioritizing inclusive understanding and comprehensive investment in each student’s potential, Dr. Bauer models excellent teaching to us all.

Rebecca Pennington honors Jay Hershberger

I am forever grateful to Dr. Jay Hershberger for challenging and shaping me as a pianist during my time at Concordia College. While at Concordia, I grew immensely in musical understanding and confidence. Dr. Hershberger believed in me as a pianist and pushed me to grow outside my comfort zone. When I told him that I didn’t believe I could perform, he said, “well, I think you should play a full recital in the spring!” And then he worked with me to select repertoire and develop a plan to make it happen. He gave me concrete musical advice and the tools needed to handle musical articulations and phrasings—I still use these tools with my own students today!  When I was at a crossroads in my career path, he encouraged me to take my piano study even further—to graduate school. I always felt that he cared deeply about his students and wanted them to be their very best. Jay Hershberger, thank you for the investment, both in me and to all of your students!

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A Master at Work: Marvin Blickenstaff

Written By Gail Berenson

We would like to thank Gail Berenson for this tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

Marvin Blickenstaff receiving the MTNA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, with Gail Berenson and Gary Ingle. 
Marvin Blickenstaff receiving the MTNA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, with Gail Berenson and Gary Ingle. 
Photo: Harry Butler Photography, Copyright MTNA 2023.

Marvin Blickenstaff is an amazing pianist and teacher, respected and revered by all who have met him. He is also one of the kindest and most giving individuals I know. I have learned something valuable in every presentation I have heard him give, and these have been numerous. No matter what the topic, how large the audience or how prestigious the event, attendees are provided a stellar, educationally stimulating presentation and leave the event with countless essential teaching strategies that will revolutionize their teaching. Marvin offers an incredibly wide range of topics, each of critical importance to teachers and presented in a way that captures everyone’s attention and benefits all who are in attendance.  

Watching him work with students in a master class setting is a pedagogy class for all in attendance. Every student I have seen work with Marvin departs the stage feeling excited about their performance and eager to try out the new ideas he suggested they consider when they return home. And those in the audience have had the privilege of seeing a master at work, both for the concepts he is teaching and the way in which he nurtures the students’ love of music.

Not only is Marvin a gifted teacher and lecturer, but he is also a magnificent performer. I will never forget hearing him perform a recital of all the Chopin Preludes. It was amazing and memorable! It is easy to understand why Marvin Blickenstaff is so in demand as a guest artist/clinician, having presented in nearly every state and around the world. I am honored to count Marvin as a friend and want to extend my best wishes to him!

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

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Piano Teachers Transforming Lives: The Power of a Piano Teacher

Written By Heather Smith, Piano Inspires, Lindsay Bastian, Maria Mueller, Stephanie Pestana-Konnersman, Lydia Sander

At The Frances Clark Center, we are honoring piano teachers who are working every day to make the world more empathetic, inclusive, and connected through the transformational power of music. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to the Frances Clark Center. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

Margie Nelson and Maria Mueller at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.
Margie Nelson and Maria Mueller at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.

The teachers featured here are making profound contributions to students at all stages, from the youngest beginners to college students, and to those who study later in life. These inspirational, personal stories testify to the timeless impact piano teachers have on their students and their communities.

Join us by honoring your teacher today through the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

Stephanie Pestana-Konnersman honors Marilyn Slenk

I will be forever grateful to my first piano teacher, Marilyn Slenk, for setting me on a lifetime journey through the world of music. Over the course of nine years, her careful, nurturing guidance built a foundation on which the whole of my life arose. She instilled into my soul a deep love and respect for every aspect of art, while encouraging growth of freedom and my own unique artistic sensibility. Without her I would not be the person, pianist, or artist I am today! – Stephanie Pestana-Konnersman

Lydia Sander honors Christopher Fisher

I began lessons with Dr. Fisher during high school. At the time, I had lost interest in pursuing piano lessons further. Dr. Fisher quickly reignited my love for piano and music again like I had not felt before. After learning and growing under his excellent instruction during my pre-college years, I went on to pursue music during my undergraduate studies and I later pursued piano pedagogy in my master’s program. To this day, Dr. Fisher is one of my greatest inspirations as a teacher and mentor. His passion for music and pedagogy along with his commitment to student success is evident in all that he does! I can truly say that I wouldn’t have pursued music and all the wonderful things that have come along with it without his guidance and patience. – Lydia Sander

Christopher Fisher with Lydia Sander.
Christopher Fisher with Lydia Sander.

Maria Mueller honors Margie Nelson

I met Mrs. Margie Nelson when I enrolled in beginning piano lessons at six years old at the New School for Music Study (NSMS). She would become my private teacher for the next twelve years and a mentor and inspiration to me for the rest of my life. She laid the foundation of my musical skills and built on it together with me as I grew and eventually aspired to become a piano teacher myself. More than an imparter of knowledge, Mrs. Nelson was my continual guide and compassionate resource. She encouraged me always and believed in my ability, guided me with thoughtful questions, delighted me with her humor, eased my performance nerves with her down-to-earth advice, challenged me with a wonderful variety of piano repertoire, and celebrated every breakthrough with me. I had the blessing of a growing and deepening teacher-student relationship with Mrs. Nelson for my entire precollege study. Flash forward to today and I now have a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy, and I am the primary piano instructor at a nonprofit music conservatory for precollege students. Few teaching days go by where I do not think of my own piano teacher and all the teachers I met at NSMS. If I could affect the life of one of my students the way Mrs. Nelson affected mine, my piano teaching career will have been a success. The last time we saw each other was at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2023—I’m so proud to join her in this transformative piano teaching profession! – Maria Mueller

Margie Nelson and Maria Mueller at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference.

Lindsay Bastian honors Barbara Furr

Mrs. Furr was my piano teacher during my high school years and she put me on the path to becoming a music teacher myself! Her love for music and for me, her persistence in pushing me to improve, and her endless encouragement helped me to discover my own love for the piano and the ways in which music allows me to connect with others. As a teenager, I don’t think I recognized how effortlessly Mrs. Furr brought out the best in every one of her students, but I still remember how much I loved my lessons and came away from them feeling better about myself, no matter what else was going on in my life. I hope to encourage, inspire, and motivate my future students the way she did for me! – Lindsay Bastian

Barbara Furr with Lindsay Bastian.
Barbara Furr with Lindsay Bastian.

We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to the Frances Clark Center. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

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Celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s 89th Birthday With Us!

Written By Piano Inspires

Join us in honoring our esteemed Marvin Blickenstaff. His 89th birthday is May 19th! Marvin has dedicated his life to serving others, and we are asking for your help to show appreciation in a special way this year.

Share Your Birthday Wishes

To celebrate Marvin’s birthday and support his legacy, please consider making a donation to the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence.

Your contribution will support inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, advocacy, and resources that uphold Marvin’s commitment to excellence in piano education. 

Click here to make a donation and leave a birthday message. Your birthday wishes will be sent directly to Marvin!

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence is an international division of The Frances Clark Center that encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning.

Created to amplify the extraordinary life work of world-renowned educator and pianist Mr. Marvin Blickenstaff, the Institute serves to advance teaching practice and elevate the music teaching profession.

Learn more

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A Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff and his Pedagogical Legacy
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Marvin’s Enduring Legacy

Written By Marianne Williams

We would like to thank Marianne Williams for this tribute to her teacher, Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

I met Marvin Blickenstaff when I was a high school senior attending the Summer Piano Clinic at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1969. At the time, he served as the Director and also held master classes during the clinic. I played Griffes’ Notturno, Op.6, No. 2 for him in one of those classes. I had never felt the tenderness in this piece until he explained and demonstrated it for me. After the class, I wrote to him requesting that I be allowed to study with him at UNC. 

I studied with him from 1970-1974 and I also took his piano pedagogy class. His enthusiasm for all the things that a piano teacher needed to learn and share in order to instill the love of the piano in others was contagious. My piano abilities were forever influenced by my studies with him. Shaping of phrases, improving the tone of a note, technical exercises, and learning to listen to myself were all new and wonderful things to me. He knew my limitations (small hands!) and quickly helped me learn to find repertoire that I would be able to enjoy playing and teaching! Mr. Blickenstaff also made me feel more confident in my ability than I had ever felt before. My piano training from him was complete and covered all eras of piano music. I especially loved learning all the Bach Two-Part Inventions in my freshman year, and still love playing them with all the ornaments that Bach indicated.

After graduating in 1974 as a Bachelor of Music Education with a Major in Piano, I moved around a bit with my husband, but in every place we lived, I set up a piano studio. I have taught continuously since then with a few breaks to have two sons, and I also taught classroom music for thirty years as well.

Marianne Williams with Marvin Blickenstaff.

Thanks to what I learned from Mr. Blickenstaff, and what I am continuing to learn through articles, webinars, and the program at NSMS, I have an intense love of learning new pieces and sharing this love with my students. I still use the same method of teaching all major and minor scales that I learned in college and still have the original printouts with exercises and examples that he gave me. 

I have lost track of the total number of students that I have taught since 1974, but I like to think that they are part of Mr. Blickenstaff’s legacy. He taught me how to interact with my students and inspired me to strive to instill in them the same love of music at the piano that he gave to me. 

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

Donate Online

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Gratitude for Marvin

Written By Scott Donald

We would like to thank Scott Donald for this tribute to his teacher, Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

I often tell people that when I grow up, I want to be like Marvin Blickenstaff. My journey with Marvin started in 1999, when we both arrived at the New School for Music Study. During my time there, I had the opportunity to teach, perform, and most importantly, learn from Marvin. His artistry as a teacher and performer is undeniable, but Marvin’s most endearing quality is his humility and the way he challenges us all to be better teachers. 

During my tenure at NSMS, I was presenting a solo recital and after a series of miserable performances, I really had doubts about my playing. Marvin told me a story of a recital that he played years before in which he wrote across the program – Fin. I was touched by his openness about his own doubts and willingness to share. As I thought about that conversation with Marvin and how he managed to overcome some of those doubts and fears, I decided to challenge myself to do the same. His sage advice helped me get past that dark period in my performing life.

Another incredible characteristic about Marvin is his ability and desire to work with students of any level. Marvin is perfectly comfortable working with a young child on “Engine Engine #9” and then spend the next lesson working with an advanced student on Ravel! As a faculty member at NSMS, I was able to observe him working with my students that were in the advanced program. There were so many things that I learned about repertoire, technique, and developing musicianship through those observations. I wouldn’t trade that for anything!  

We no longer teach together but I still hear his voice and his wisdom when I continue to teach my students at my own studio. In fact, as I write this tribute, I have a student working on Grieg’s Notturno. My approach to that piece has Marvin written all over it! I am forever grateful for the friendship and wisdom I gained through our time together. Marvin has made an indelible impression on my life and teaching.

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

Donate Online

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A Valentine’s Tribute to Transformational Piano Teachers

Written By Heather Smith, Piano Inspires

Share the love this Valentine’s Day by honoring piano teachers who are working every day to make the world more kind, inclusive, and connected through the transformational power of music. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to the Frances Clark Center. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

Paula Flynn with her teacher, Eric Unruh.

The teachers featured here are making profound contributions to students at all stages, from the youngest beginners to college students, and to those who study later in life. These inspirational, personal stories testify to the timeless impact piano teachers have on their students and their communities.

Join us by honoring your teacher today through the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.

Barbara Gill honors Vedrana Subotic from Salt Lake City, UT

From studio to stage, Dr. Vedrana Subotic has been such a caring mentor and friend to me for over 20 years. Her artistry, pacing, and tone distinguish her as a fabulous performer, and her kindness and concern for her students extend past graduation. A life lesson she taught me was to follow-through whether it was in a crescendo to an arrival or in life. If I said I would do something, she expected me to do it! Vedrana was the first teacher to make me practice in front of her. She taught me to think of how simple the piano is to play (left, right, or hands together), and yet how many colors can be made on the instrument. I love that Dr. Vedrana Subotic came to Salt Lake City many years ago and I’d like to think it was just for me!

Barbara Gill and Vedrana Subotic.
Jeremy Adriano and Eileen Evans.

Jeremy Adriano honors Eileen Evans from Surprise, AZ

I feel incredibly lucky to have had the wonderful Eileen Evans as my childhood piano teacher. When I think back to my time in her studio, I remember a cherished home. The atmosphere was consistently warm and inviting, creating a sense of coziness that made playing during my piano lessons a truly relaxed experience. Inspired by those fond memories, I’ve crafted my own home piano studio with the same intention—ensuring that my students feel the same comforting warmth, coziness, and relaxation during their lessons.

Paula Flynn honors Eric Unruh from Casper, WY

I had been teaching piano in my home for about 16 years when I decided to go back to college and seek a degree in music education. I was a 37-year-old, non-traditional student at a community college. I had it in my head that I already knew what I needed, I just needed the degree. I declared the piano as my primary instrument and was thankfully placed in Dr. Eric Unruh’s studio. During the first week of class he assigned me Mozart’s Piano Sonata in F Major, K.332. I went home and quickly devoured the first movement, arriving back in his studio the following week ready to “show him a thing or two” about “all that I knew.” He offered me, instead, the opportunity to eat a heaping helping of humble pie. I had all eight pages ready to go, but we didn’t move past page one. Every Mozartean nuance was found on that first page and we grilled and drilled. After my first lesson, I realized how much I still had to learn, that I had an excellent and kind teacher ready to help me grow. His patience with me, his use of metaphors, his references to Jane Austen novels and so much more helped me discover a deeper level of music making. I cherish his continued friendship all of these years later. I still seek his counsel on pieces as I now realize fully that I still have so much to learn. Thank you, Eric! Much love!

Wendy Bachman with Louise Goss
Louise Goss with Wendy Bachman and Her Family

Wendy Bachman honors Louise Goss

From the first moment that I stepped into my teaching audition at The New School for Music Study in 1988, Louise’s big smile made me feel at ease. Her positive tone of voice and willingness to help was a constant. When working with the students and modeling how to teach concepts, she always conveyed the utmost in enthusiasm. My favorite way of teaching triplets with the full-body arm swing is from Louise. Every time I teach it, I always tell my students, “This is how Louise taught us” as we enthusiastically say “1 a la, 2 a la.” As a graduate student in the Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Performance program, I was preparing to get married the same day as I graduated! I was busy with my studies and had not given a lot of thought to the wedding plans. Louise kindly stepped in and asked if she could help me plan my wedding! We drove out to have lunch at the place she thought would be perfect for the reception. I was more than thrilled that Louise Goss and Frances Clark could be guests at my wedding. The years after graduation we kept in touch with cards and gifts as our family started. Louise’s words of encouragement still mean so much as I read those cards today. I am grateful beyond words. 

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Vision, Dedication, and Multiplication: Honoring Janet Tschida

Written By Makayla Stevenson

We would like to thank Makayla Stevenson for this tribute to her teacher, Janet Tschida. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

Makayla Stevenson with her teacher, Janet Tschida.

“Students don’t learn because of what teachers say. Students learn because of what teachers have them DO!” Three years after completing my undergraduate degree, Janet Tschida’s words replay in my mind, reminding me of the influence that we as piano teachers can have in the lives of our students.

Residents of Watertown, Wisconsin know Janet Tschida as associate professor at Maranatha Baptist University and director of Maranatha Music Prep School, the community’s music education program. Maranatha Music Prep School is uniquely structured to allow pedagogy interns from the university to teach local students, providing undergraduate students with valuable teaching experience and fostering connections in the community.

As a piano pedagogy graduate of MBU and an intern at the prep school, I had the privilege of gleaning from Miss Tschida’s wisdom, knowledge, and experience almost daily for four years. As I reflect on what she has imparted to me and countless others, three words come to mind: vision, dedication, and multiplication.

Janet Tschida taught us to see beyond the four walls of the music studio. She, like Frances Clark, taught us that as teachers, we teach the student first, music second, and piano third. Miss Tschida may teach in a small town in the Midwest, but her vision is global and generational. She has the unique ability to be in the moment and see beyond it, to teach Baroque performance practice while understanding that she is influencing the destinies of generations to come. At the end of my freshman year, I met with her to discuss dropping my pedagogy concentration, as I was not particularly interested in teaching music. She kindly but firmly informed me that I had great potential as a teacher and that this was not a decision to be made hastily. As a result of her input, I reconsidered my decision and am grateful that I did. As a visionary, she could see what I could not, and she taught me that day to always see the potential in my students just as she had seen it in me.

If there is one word that consistently describes Janet Tschida in the minds of those who know her, it is dedicated. She has high standards of excellence for herself, and she encourages her students to strive for the same. One of her educational pursuits is to research topics from other disciplines, often entirely unrelated to music, and apply those insights to music education. She would encourage us to do the same: to always be learning something new, to glean from other fields, and to continually evaluate our own progress in every area of life. As students, we saw Miss Tschida exemplify this dedication to excellence. She would teach long days, pour into her piano students and interns, complete never-ending administrative tasks, and gladly repeat the process the next day. Perhaps it was her vision, her dedication, or both—but somehow she seemed to accomplish more in a year than most people do in a lifetime.

Or perhaps it was that she knew the power of multiplication. Janet Tschida knew that when she taught her classic “Prepare, Present, Practice” lesson to the freshman piano pedagogy class, she was actually changing the lives of twenty-second and twenty-third century musicians. She knew that every time she met with student interns to discuss their weekly teaching videos, she was training the next generation of educators, performers, researchers, and innovators. She knew the power of multiplication—that what she taught would change lives in the generations to come.

Janet Tschida taught me the influence that one teacher can have. She encouraged me to have a vision greater than the present reality and to dedicate myself to the pursuit of excellence. In so doing, she taught me that a piano teacher can truly make a difference, one student at a time.

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Carla Salas-Ruiz holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Costa Rica and a Master’s and PhD from Louisiana State University. She is a piano instructor at Brazosport College, dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment. Her research focuses on motivation, interest development, and effective practice strategies in piano education. Carla has presented her research at national and international conferences and contributed to research journals.

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The Gift that Keeps Giving: Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

Written By Arlene Steffen

We would like to thank Arlene Steffen for this tribute to her teacher, Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

Sometimes you get a gift and you don’t really realize its value initially. When I studied with Marvin Blickenstaff at Goshen College, I didn’t realize the many gifts I was being given—gifts that have appreciated over time—gifts of training, mentorship, collegiality, and, most of all, love and friendship.

Marvin invests not only in his students’ musical growth and development, but in the person, the relationship.

As a freshman listening to students in the practice rooms, I knew I didn’t measure up, but when I had my first lessons, I knew there was a chance I could get better. The first week of the semester, Marvin asked me to come in for three lessons. He was investing in my future as a musician, but he also began building my self confidence. Each lesson he met me where I was and gave me the encouragement and affirmation to move forward. His door was always open to help me practice or to give advice. 

Marvin Blickenstaff with Arlene Steffen.

Marvin never misses an opportunity to tell you how much he values you. He always wants to know what’s going on in your life both professionally and personally. He’ll hit you up for a recipe, tell you about his latest family gathering or trip, praise your recent accomplishments and take you to dinner. He’ll ask your recommendations for music to play at church, admire your latest studio project, and offer prayers on your behalf.

Every time I step into my studio, I do my best to channel his gracious spirit, his insightful mind, his ability to ask just the right question, and most of all, his pursuit of beauty through music. 

While the public sees a gregarious man full of enthusiasm, knowledge, and skill, what really is on display is love, a direct result of his deep faith in God, handed down to him from his loving parents and molded through a lifetime of hard work, difficulties, disappointments, and joy. He gives tirelessly, knowing that serving others is the best way of showing love.

Marvin taught me to be not only a better musician, but a better person. 

Marvin is the gift that keeps on giving. His legacy lives in every student he has taught, and through those of us who teach, it flows into the lives of our students.

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

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A Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff and his Pedagogical Legacy

Written By Sara Ernst, Jane Magrath, Karen Zorn, Joel M. Harrison, Marianne Williams, Zack Kleiman, Henry Banta, Anya Smith, Nina Austria

We would like to thank Sara Ernst, Jane Magrath, Karen Zorn, Joel M. Harrison, Marianne Williams, Zack Kleiman, Henry Banta, Anya Smith, and Nina Austria for collaborating on this tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff. Interested in learning more about Marvin Blickenstaff and his teaching? Marvin’s latest book, Inspired Piano Teaching, is coming soon and is available to preorder now. If you want to learn more about Marvin’s book, you can read more here.

A Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff and His Pedagogical Legacy

Marvin Blickenstaff has been a pillar of the North American piano community for more than five decades. His dedication to outstanding teaching, learning, and performing has been honed through his work with innumerable students and their teachers. Anyone who has witnessed Marvin working with young pianists understands why his work is so powerful. He demands excellence from his students and colleagues, is persistent but kind, and is always eager to continue his own musical learning. His dedication to our profession is as evident today as it was in the 1970s, at the outset of his teaching career.

Students clamor to study with Marvin Blickenstaff and teachers flock to his numerous workshops, seminars, and conference sessions. Marvin was among the first associate editors of Keyboard Companion, one of the precursors to the Piano Magazine, and he has taught at the New School for Music Study in Kingston, New Jersey for over twenty years. The Frances Clark Center (FCC) is honored to present this tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff to  commemorate his continued contributions to the piano teaching and learning community. After presenting highlights of Marvin’s career, we share tributes from former and current students. We hope that this tribute inspires you to refine your piano performance and teaching craft, and to continue your own learning journey as you read the additional articles about teaching, learning, and performing within this magazine.

Professional Pianist

By Sara Ernst

Marvin Blickenstaff is beloved by piano students of all ages and teachers across the world: it may be how he cherishes his time spent with every student, his deep expertise in music and artistry, or the sage pedagogical advice that he freely offers. As the late Louise Goss (d. 2014) stated:

He has a solid-as-gold national, international really, reputation…[an] incredible amount of knowledge, incredible desire to spread that knowledge…and he just loves it so much that it just spills out of him in bursts of joy…What you would hope a great master teacher would be, he’s the model, and they broke the mold!1

– Louise Goss

One of the unique qualities of his teaching is his uncanny ability to work with a wide array of pianists. Nelita True aptly articulated:

I don’t know of anyone else in our profession who can handle all levels…advanced teaching, he does intermediate, he does beginners…[and he] teaches through a kind of empathy with the student that I find extremely effective and very desirable.2 

– Nelita True

We hope you have enjoyed this excerpt from “A Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff and His Pedagogical Legacy.” You can read more by clicking here.

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

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sources

1 Louise Goss, interview with author (Kingston, NJ, November 18, 2009).

2 Nelita True, interview with author (Telephone Interview, April 9, 2010). 

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Marvin Blickenstaff: Cheerleader Extraordinaire

Written By Sara Ernst

We would like to thank Sara Ernst for this tribute to her mentor, Marvin Blickenstaff. On January 30, 2024 we are hosting a virtual Publications Party to celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s new book, Inspired Piano Teaching. Click here to register for this free event! If you are interested in learning more about Marvin’s book, you can read more here.

Marvin Blickenstaff, Sara Ernst and family, celebrating the end of her time at the New School for Music Study, 2013.

Marvin Blickenstaff is amazing in so many ways, as pianist, pedagogue, mentor, colleague and friend. I have had the pleasure of knowing him in all of these capacities, and my life has truly been transformed because of this. Among the many attributes Marvin possesses, I wish to celebrate in this tribute is his role as cheerleader extraordinaire. Whether for his students, colleagues, or friends, Marvin will be the first to congratulate the successes of those around him. I have heard his boisterous cheering and applause from the audience, I have heard his heartfelt speeches congratulating others in our profession, and I have received his personal emails commending my professional accomplishments. His genuine love and support of those around him is unparalleled and contributes immensely to our community. Being a musician, pianist, and educator can be difficult (while being tremendously rewarding), and we all need those in our professional lives who reflect to us our own impact and worth. He has provided a tremendous model to me of what that means and how important this is—this is one of the most significant ways we ensure the future of our profession. I encourage us all to follow his example, to project this enthusiasm for piano and teaching into the world, to support our students and colleagues, and to delight in the successes of all those around us.

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

Donate Online

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The Power of a Piano Teacher
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Marvin Blickenstaff: Cheerleader Extraordinaire

Written By Sara Ernst

We would like to thank Sara Ernst for this tribute to her mentor, Marvin Blickenstaff. Since 1999, Marvin Blickenstaff has been a beloved faculty member of the New School for Music Study in Kingston, NJ. In honor of the 25th year of his work for NSMS, we recognize the tremendous impact he has had on so many in our profession. Are you interested in teaching at the New School for Music Study? Learn more and apply to our Postgraduate Teaching Program by clicking here.

Marvin Blickenstaff, Sara Ernst and family, celebrating the end of her time at the New School for Music Study, 2013.

Marvin Blickenstaff is amazing in so many ways, as pianist, pedagogue, mentor, colleague and friend. I have had the pleasure of knowing him in all of these capacities, and my life has truly been transformed because of this. Among the many attributes Marvin possesses, I wish to celebrate in this tribute is his role as cheerleader extraordinaire. Whether for his students, colleagues, or friends, Marvin will be the first to congratulate the successes of those around him. I have heard his boisterous cheering and applause from the audience, I have heard his heartfelt speeches congratulating others in our profession, and I have received his personal emails commending my professional accomplishments. His genuine love and support of those around him is unparalleled and contributes immensely to our community. Being a musician, pianist, and educator can be difficult (while being tremendously rewarding), and we all need those in our professional lives who reflect to us our own impact and worth. He has provided a tremendous model to me of what that means and how important this is—this is one of the most significant ways we ensure the future of our profession. I encourage us all to follow his example, to project this enthusiasm for piano and teaching into the world, to support our students and colleagues, and to delight in the successes of all those around us.

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

Donate Online

MORE ON THE POWER OF A PIANO TEACHER

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Meet People Where They Are | Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

Written By Karen Zorn

We would like to thank Karen Zorn for this tribute to her teacher, Marvin Blickenstaff. On January 30, 2024 we are hosting a virtual Publications Party to celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s new book, Inspired Piano Teaching. Click here to register for this free event! If you are interested in learning more about Marvin’s book, you can read more here.

Karen Zorn and Marvin Blickenstaff

It’s such an honor to write about my teacher and friend, Marvin Blickenstaff. I could tell a million stories about Marvin’s brilliance as a teacher and how much better a musician and teacher I am because of his teaching. But I suspect that many of you already know that side of Marvin and have stories of your own. So, I’d like to share a few stories that reveal what an amazing human being Marvin is and how my life is immeasurably better for knowing him.

It seems to me that this is how Marvin lives his life. Meet people where they are. I felt this acceptance from him right from our beginning days together as teacher and student.

There’s a phrase that is probably overused these days, but I like it—meet people where they are. It says so much and I think it is so needed in Music Education. With this one simple phrase—meet people where they are—we can leave behind our limiting thoughts about students: “not well-prepared enough,” “not talented enough,” “not good enough.”

I talk about this quite often in my current work, and I believe I learned this philosophy from Marvin. It seems to me that this is how Marvin lives his life. Meet people where they are. I felt this acceptance from him right from our beginning days together as teacher and student.

Marvin was never the distant teacher. Rather, he was in touch all the time. He had the most uncanny ability to sense when you needed help. Marvin used to knock on my practice room door, sometimes just to say hello and see how I was doing. Other times he’d say something like “Uh…just curious if you EVER practice slowly.”

The truth is, back in the day, I almost never practiced slowly, and Marvin knew it. I wasn’t alone. We all practiced fast. A lot. Except when we sensed that Marvin was nearby. And we were ALWAYS aware when Marvin was around. We felt it. Marvin’s aura would drift down the practice room hallway, much like when you spot a state trooper up ahead on the highway. One by one we slowed down to “tempo di studio.” Marvin’s presence was like a human radar gun. Metronomes came out of the closet and fingerings suddenly got sorted.

We all thought Marvin was amazing. The cool professor—you know, “with it.” Except in one way—his typewriter. A Royal Manual Deluxe with an industrial metal case and pica type—the kind that you had to hit with a hammer to get the keys to go down. The kind where if you missed a keystroke, your finger would get trapped in a subterranean encampment of thrashing metal. And while we kind of poked fun of Marvin’s typewriter, we secretly loved it. Before and after lessons Marvin could be heard, pecking away, writing letters—thank you notes to presenters who had hosted him, words of welcome to prospective students, congratulations to colleagues for their accomplishments. If any of you knew Marvin back then, you probably received a note written on the old Royal Manual.

Marvin Blickenstaff

Of course, he also used it to write to his students. He actually wrote us letters on a regular basis. They were usually words of encouragement: where he’d noticed big improvements in our playing, words of “well done” after a performance, or things he’d been thinking about as possible next steps for us. It meant so much to all of us to see the envelope in our mailbox with the initials “MB” scrawled in the upper left. It was such a gift.

So, here’s the thing: Marvin is never just someone’s piano teacher. It is never just about piano lessons. With Marvin, you get it all—the entire suite of attention, care, and love. He’s the Deluxe Edition piano teacher. When you study with him you get “the works.” He’s the all-inclusive, elite-level cruise, room with a view. The automatic upgrade. The executive platinum status. The super-size me, combo-platter piano teacher.

Marvin, I hope you know how grateful we all are to have you in our lives. We are immeasurably better for knowing you. 

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

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A Genuine Place of Love and Kindness: Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

Written By Rebekah Hood

We would like to thank Rebekah Hood for this tribute to her teacher, Marvin Blickenstaff. As we continue the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center.

Rebekah and Mary Hood visiting with Marvin at Daynes Music in Salt Lake City, Utah during the Marvin Blickenstaff Tour on October 16, 2023.

I met Mr. Blickenstaff when I was in the 4th grade. After the death of my first piano teacher and an unhappy experience with a second teacher, I was reluctant to continue my studies. Admittedly, I grew fond of the idea of never having to attend a piano lesson on Monday afternoon ever again—that is, until I met Mr. Blickenstaff.

On the day of my first lesson, I felt anxious and jittery. My mom drove me to his home, just five minutes away from our neighborhood, and I approached his front door with dread. But the moment we walked into his home, I met a man who was lively, kind, passionate, and gentle. When I played the piano for him, he offered the sincerest praise and encouragement. He made up words to fit the melodies of my pieces. He sang beautifully, his strong vibrato filling the room, while I barely moved my lips and shyly mouthed the words to the fabricated lyrics. I felt more at ease and more willing to try out lessons for a few months.

A few months became nine years. Through that period, I broke two fingers, suffered various illnesses, experimented with many unfortunate fashions, vowed to quit piano upon receiving my first Rachmaninoff piece, cried in the middle of a studio recital, bickered with my parents about piano practice, and eventually prepared an hour-long senior recital. Mr. Blickenstaff witnessed my growth throughout that entire journey. He continued to make up song lyrics for my pieces. He taught me how to waltz after introducing Chopin’s Waltz in A Minor. He changed up the articulation for the “Allemande” from Bach’s French Suite in G Major every single week. He encouraged me when I felt embarrassed even to step through his door due to my lack of consistent piano practice.

About a month after my senior recital, Mr. Blickenstaff and I sat by his piano and we reminisced about favorite pieces, fond memories, and past performances. He said, “Bekki, you came to me when you were terribly shy and unsure of yourself. Now, it’s like you’ve blossomed into a butterfly.” When I got home from my lesson, I immediately recorded his words in my journal. It meant a lot to me, and I often think about what he said, especially when I find myself bogged down by discouragement, maladaptive perfectionism, and frustration. Mr. Blickenstaff’s influence on my life has been immeasurable. Not only did my appreciation for music flourish under his direction, but my confidence increased. He showcases the change and growth that can come from teaching music—not from a place of fear or shame, but from a place of genuine love and kindness.

The Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence

In 2023, the Frances Clark Center established the Marvin Blickenstaff Institute for Teaching Excellence in honor of his legacy as a pedagogue. This division of The Frances Clark Center encompasses inclusive teaching programs, teacher education, courses, performance, advocacy, publications, research, and resources that support excellence in piano teaching and learning. To learn more about the Institute, please visit this page.

We extend a heartfelt invitation to join us in commemorating Marvin Blickenstaff’s remarkable contributions by making a donation in his honor. Your generous contribution will help us continue his inspiring work and uphold the standards of excellence in piano teaching and learning for generations to come. To make a meaningful contribution, please visit our donation page today. Thank you for being a part of this legacy.

Donate Online

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