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Piano Inspires Discovery
A space dedicated to inspiring the love of piano and music making through educational and inspirational content.
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Foundational Pedagogy Discussion Group for Piano Teachers

Although a new year is right around the corner, piano teachers are in the middle of the busy academic year. Our students are juggling school, extra-curricular activities, and practicing while teachers are doing their own juggling acts—preparing for weekly lessons and student performances while also keeping their studios running smoothly. In the midst of all…
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This Month in Piano History – December 2025

As we close out the year, we celebrate the birth of a famous Hispanic composer, remember one of the greatest concerts of all time, and reflect on the life of a great American composer! December 8 – Birth of Manuel Ponce Born on December 8, 1882 in Fresnillo, Mexico, Manuel Ponce was one of the…
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Essential Holiday Gifts for Piano Teachers: Top Resources

Build your holiday wish list with our inspiring collection of piano teaching resources! From expert repertoire guides and diverse repertoire collections to practical teaching tools and personal essays by leading educators, our publications make the perfect gift to enrich your studio and spark creativity all year long. Questions and Answers: Practical Advice for Piano Teachers…
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Community Impact – Surge: Impact in the Time of Adversity

In the Community Impact webinar series, music teachers across the world gather to create, refine, and celebrate projects that positively impact communities and advance piano teaching. In this year’s inaugural session, host Leah Claiborne invited internationally recognized leader Stanford Thompson to share his thoughts on the theme “Impact in the Time of Adversity.” Thompson is…
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Support The Frances Clark Center This Giving Tuesday 2025

#Giving Tuesday is a day to celebrate our dedicated community through shared mission and purpose as we continue to transform lives through the power of music. The Frances Clark Center is grateful to serve and support our community as we advance the profession together. We appreciate all your support. Today, people around the world will…
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Piano Technique Books for Students: Holiday Gifts for 2025

Build your holiday wish list with our inspiring collection of piano teaching resources! From expert repertoire guides and diverse repertoire collections to practical teaching tools and personal essays by leading educators, our publications make the perfect gift to enrich your studio and spark creativity all year long. Technique through Repertoire Books 1 & 2 Selected…
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Countdown to Giving Tuesday 2025

We’re filled with gratitude for the vibrant community that makes The Frances Clark Center possible. As Giving Tuesday approaches, we invite you to celebrate the power of music and piano teaching to inspire and transform lives. Piano inspires the next generation. Together, through every note and every lesson, we can make the world a better…
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Honor a Piano Teacher: Power of a Piano Teacher Campaign

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. We invite you to celebrate the piano teachers who…
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5 Key Elements of Foundational Piano Pedagogy

1. Teachers should use words that are relevant and efficient while considering other powerful ways to communicate. Teachers use words to teach concepts, praise students, and offer feedback. Words used to give praise and feedback should focus on the music–how it sounds, looks, and feels, rather than the student’s personal ability. Specific, sincere, and descriptive…
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2024 Collegiate Connections

Students throughout the United States responded to our call for proposals for the 2024 Collegiate Connections virtual event, which will highlight innovative group projects at universities throughout the United States. The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the selected proposals for our event on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM…
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5 Reasons to Enroll in a Summer Seminar

We would like to thank Sara Ernst for this article about our 2024 Summer Intensive Seminars. Interested in learning more about our 2024 Summer Intensive Seminars? Learn more by clicking here. 1. Summer is a great time for learning! We are offering two summer seminars in the month of July: An International Exploration of Piano…
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A Pianist’s Approach to Research

We would like to thank Carla Salas-Ruiz for this contribution on writing articles for research publications such as the Journal of Piano Research. Learn more about the Journal of Piano Research by clicking here. Writing, akin to music, provides a platform for self-expression. It also fosters critical thinking and enables us to articulate diverse perspectives,…
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It is essential that the focus be on how…

We would like to thank Jane Magrath for this insightful article. Want to learn more about teaching piano technique? Join us on Wednesday, April 17th at 11:00am ET for our latest webinar, Foundations on Technique, with Julie Hague and Alejandro Cremaschi, host. To learn more and register, click here. The first years of piano study…
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Gratitude for Marvin

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…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Susanna Garcia

To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Susanna Garcia we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Luis Sanchez. Want to learn more about Garcia? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Chee on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,…
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Teaching Transformation: My Experience as a Postgraduate Teaching Fellow

We would like to thank Savannah Royston for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s Postgraduate Teaching Program. Want to learn more about the Postgraduate Teaching Program? Learn more and apply by clicking here. When I began the Postgraduate Teaching Program at The New School for Music Study, I knew three things:…
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A Haven for Musical Learning and Excellence: The New School for Music Study

We would like to thank Adam Salas for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s Postgraduate Teaching Program. Want to learn more about the Postgraduate Teaching Program? Learn more and apply by clicking here. The New School for Music Study stands as a haven for musical learning and excellence, leaving a mark…
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A Continuum Between Teaching Styles: Reflections from the US and Chile

We would like to thank Paulina Zamora for this insightful article on her experiences growing up as a musician in Chile. Want to learn more about international teaching practices? Attend our webinar, “International Perspectives: Piano Methods from Different Corners of the World,” with guests Yuval Admony, Rae de Lisle, and Carla Reis, with Luis Sanchez,…











