pianoinspires.com
Piano Inspires Discovery
A space dedicated to inspiring the love of piano and music making through educational and inspirational content.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Spotlight on Gayle Kowalchyk
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Gayle Kowalchyk, we are spotlighting her extensive scholarship and research published by The Frances Clark Center. Gayle Kowalchyk is a pianist, educator, and pedagogical composer who has taught at California State University Northridge. Read more below to learn about her pedagogical compositions, method books,…
-
Holiday Gifts for Pianists: Works for Pianists of All Levels
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. Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and…
-
5 Things from the Autumn Issue of Piano Magazine
The Autumn 2025 issue of Piano Magazine is here to illuminate your studio and inspire your artistry. From vital discussions on pianist wellness to celebrating the legacies of beloved pedagogues, this issue explores the current concerns of the piano teaching community. Delve deep into the expressive artistry of Brahms’s rubato, discover accessible new repertoire by…
-
Holiday Inspiration: The Perfect Piano Publications for Your Wish List
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. Read below for a special code to use…
-
How do you use Piano Inspires Kids in your studio?
The Co-Editors-in-Chief of Piano Inspires Kids, Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst, recently answered some questions about the new magazine for young pianists. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! With the recent launch of Piano Inspires Kids, I have been looking forward to incorporating this new publication…
-
Five Things You Should Know About Teaching Adults in Groups
In her Summer 2021 article “Teaching Adults in Group-Piano Settings: Facilitating the Musical Process,” Pamela Pike gave practical advice about how to teach adults in group settings. Here are five tips for working with adults in groups from her article. Read the full article at https://pianoinspires.com/article/summer-2021-teaching-adults-in-group-piano-settings-facilitating-the-musical-process/. 1. Before creating and designing group-piano classes, teachers should identify…
-
Piano Inspires Kids Excerpt: Listening Guide for the 12 American Preludes by Ginastera
The Co-Editors-in-Chief of Piano Inspires Kids, Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst, recently answered some questions about the new magazine for young pianists. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! The Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids explores Argentina; the dances, composers, and performers that have contributed to a rich…
-
Three Common Questions Asked by Teacher/Facilitators Concerning Adult Piano Learners
We would like to thank Jackie Edwards-Henry for this insightful article on teaching adults. Want to learn more about adult teaching? Register for the free webinar, “It’s Never Too Late: Lived Experiences of Adult Piano Learners” presented by Pei-Chen Chen and Elizabeth Haddon, hosted by Alejandro Cremaschi on October 25. Learn more and register here:…
-
Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part Two
This past May, we invited our followers to submit questions for Marvin Blickenstaff about all things teaching in honor of his birthday (May 19). We hope you enjoy reading his answers below. You can read Part One here. This week, Marvin is touring Colorado, Utah, and Nevada with staff from the Frances Clark Center. Is…
-
Meet People Where They Are | Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff
This week, Marvin is touring Colorado, Utah, and Nevada with staff from the Frances Clark Center. Is Marvin coming to a place near you? Check his tour schedule here: https://pianoinspires.com/marvin-blickenstaff-on-tour/. 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…
-
Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part One
This past May, we invited our followers to submit questions for Marvin Blickenstaff about all things teaching in honor of his birthday (May 19). We hope you enjoy reading his answers below. This week, Marvin is touring Colorado, Utah, and Nevada with staff from the Frances Clark Center. Is Marvin coming to a place near…
-
5 Things to Discover about Hispanic Composers
1. Manuel Ponce was the earliest internationally successful Mexican composer of classical music. The Mexican composer Manuel María Ponce Cuéllar was musically active in the first half of the 20th century. The European-influenced Ponce was the earliest internationally successful Mexican composer of classical music. A prolific composer, Manuel Ponce wrote orchestral suites and symphonic poems;…
-
Marvin Blickenstaff on Tour!
Over the next ten days, Marvin Blickenstaff, along with Jennifer Snow and other staff from the Frances Clark Center, will tour Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. During this tour, Marvin will present “The Power of One” as well as masterclasses in seven different cities and locations! Participants will also learn about the Frances Clark Center, its…
