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Piano Inspires Discovery

A space dedicated to inspiring the love of piano and music making through educational and inspirational content.

  • Gratitude for Marvin

    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…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Susanna Garcia

    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,…


  • Teaching Transformation: My Experience as a Postgraduate Teaching Fellow

    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:…


  • A Haven for Musical Learning and Excellence: The New School for Music Study

    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…


  • A Continuum Between Teaching Styles: Reflections from the US and Chile

    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,…


  • Norwegian Folk Songs: Making Rhythmic Complexities Easy and Enjoyable

    Norwegian Folk Songs: Making Rhythmic Complexities Easy and Enjoyable

    We would like to thank Sarah Jenkins, our 2020 Collegiate Writing Contest Winner, for this insightful article on Norwegian folk songs. Are you a student interested in sharing your research and projects with the piano pedagogy community? On Friday, April 26th at 11am ET, the Frances Clark Center is hosting “Collegiate Connections,” an event to…


  • My Experience at The New School for Music Study

    My Experience at The New School for Music Study

    We would like to thank Esther Hayter 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. As the 2017-2018 Postgraduate Fellow, I came to the New School eager to teach, and put into practice…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: An Interview with Connor Chee

    Piano Inspires Podcast: An Interview with Connor Chee

    To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Connor Chee we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Craig Sale. Want to learn more about Chee? 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,…


  • 5 Things to Know about Piano Inspires Kids Composition Contest

    5 Things to Know about Piano Inspires Kids Composition Contest

    Attention budding composers! Piano Inspires Kids invites students to submit a piano solo for our first composition contest! Winning compositions will be featured in the Summer 2024 issue and on our website, kids.pianoinspires.com. Read below for all the details! 1. The composition must be a fanfare. A fanfare is a short and usually brilliant piece…


  • The Benefits of NCKP: The Piano Conference and Why You Should Attend

    The Benefits of NCKP: The Piano Conference and Why You Should Attend

    We would like to thank Marvin Blickenstaff for this article about the benefits of The Piano Conference: NCKP. Want to learn more about The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025? Click here to read about next year’s conference and submit a proposal. Want to hear more from Marvin Blickenstaff? Join our book club beginning September 10, 2024!…


  • The Body and the Beat: Developing Rhythm through Mindful Movement

    The Body and the Beat: Developing Rhythm through Mindful Movement

    We would like to thank Lesley McAllister for this insightful article on rhythm and movement. To read the full article, click here. Movement, for children, is necessary for learning. Young bodies are fine-tuned sensory receptors collecting information, curious and eager to explore the world around them.1 The young child is in a period of sensitivity…


  • Do You Use Summer Lessons for Special Reading Activities?

    Do You Use Summer Lessons for Special Reading Activities?

    We would like to thank Richard Chronister, Mary Ann Letti, and Berdine Ehrman for this insightful article on summer reading activities. To read the full article, click here. Both writers for this issue’s Music Reading Department take the view that summer is special for piano students. A good case can be made for discontinuing the regular…


  • Piano Inspires Kids: Musicians and Athletes: What Can They Learn from One Another?

    Piano Inspires Kids: Musicians and Athletes: What Can They Learn from One Another?

    The Summer 2024 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids is coming soon! Subscribers will be receiving the print issue in their mailboxes in the coming weeks. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to receive the issue and give the gift of music to the musicians in your life! Keep reading for a sneak peek into the…


  • This Month in Piano History: July 2024

    This Month in Piano History: July 2024

    July 1, 1950 Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, whose work in music education made a lasting impression on the field, died in Geneva, Switzerland on this day. He completed studies in Geneva, Paris, and Vienna, working with the likes of Fauré, Delibes, and Bruckner among others. Early on, he became fascinated with rhythm, and while working at the…


  • Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part One

    Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part One

    We would like to thank Marvin Blickenstaff for answering these questions regarding his approach to piano pedagogy. Want to learn more about Marvin’s teaching? The Frances Clark Center recently published his book Inspired Piano Teaching. This fall 2024, we are excited to announce that Marvin and The Frances Clark Center will host a virtual book…


  • What is a Good Piano Sound and How Do You Get it?

    What is a Good Piano Sound and How Do You Get it?

    We would like to thank William Fried for this insightful article on making a beautiful sound at the piano. Want to learn more about tone production? Check out the latest issue of Piano Magazine. Our new summer issue can be found by clicking here. “You get a terrible sound at the piano, William. Just terrible.”…


  • A Tribute to Gary Ingle

    A Tribute to Gary Ingle

    by Jennifer Snow Published in Piano Magazine, Summer 2024 Issue Leadership is a term that is frequently used. A quick google search reveals a range of characteristics, terminology, and definitions of success. The truth of effective leadership lies in the person—an individual who impacts a profession, motivates and inspires, builds community, navigates change, directs through…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Ann DuHamel

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Ann DuHamel

    To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Ann DuHamel, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Pamela Pike. Want to learn more about DuHamel? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with DuHamel on Apple Podcasts,…


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