pianoinspires.com

Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • The Piano Geeks: A Tribute to George Litterst

    The Piano Geeks: A Tribute to George Litterst

    We would like to thank Shana Kirk for this tribute to George Litterst, one of last year’s Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award Winners. To read the full article with more tributes to George Litterst and Michelle Conda, click here. I first met George Litterst in 2000, when a mutual colleague dragged me across an…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Olga Kern

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Olga Kern

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


  • A Pianist’s Approach to Research

    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,…


  • What is Appropriate at the Early Level for the Gifted Child? Do You Use a Method Book?

    What is Appropriate at the Early Level for the Gifted Child? Do You Use a Method Book?

    To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Ingrid Clarfield, we are sharing an excerpted article with her commentary on how she works with children who are musically gifted. Want to learn more about Clarfield? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Ingrid Clarfield

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Ingrid  Clarfield

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


  • How to Write an Effective Conference Proposal: 5 Tips for Success

    How to Write an Effective Conference Proposal: 5 Tips for Success

    We are delighted to share top tips from Dr. Sara Ernst on writing successful conference proposals to support you as you draft your session ideas for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025. Sara is Director of Teacher Engagement for the Frances Clark Center and a member of the Executive Committee for The Piano Conference: NCKP. We…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Artina McCain

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Artina McCain

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


  • Awadagin Pratt: Pianist, Conductor, Music Education Advocate

    Awadagin Pratt: Pianist, Conductor, Music Education Advocate

    We would like to thank Artina McCain for this interview with pianist Awadagin Pratt. This week on Piano Inspires Podcast, Artina McCain is interviewed! Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Robert Weirich on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,…


  • Celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s 89th Birthday With Us!

    Celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s 89th Birthday With Us!

    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…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Chee-Hwa Tan

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Chee-Hwa Tan

    As we get closer to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 this July, we invite you to register for our 2025 Gala, celebrating our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Outstanding Service Award Recipients. The Frances Clark Center celebrates its Outstanding Service Award recipients with special re-releases of podcast episodes. Congratulations to Chee-Hwa Tan for this recognition! Register by…


  • 5 Reasons to Attend The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Online Event

    5 Reasons to Attend The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Online Event

    The online event of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 is just around the corner! Events will occur from June 6-8 and will be packed with music, social events, concerts, and more. With the event only a few days away, register now to gain access to this exciting event. Learn more and register by clicking here. 1.…


  • 5 Reasons to Attend The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Online Event

    5 Reasons to Attend The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Online Event

    The online event of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 is just around the corner! Events will occur from June 6-8 and will be packed with music, social events, concerts, and more. If you have not registered, there’s still more time. Learn more and register by clicking here. 1. Accessibility The Piano Conference Online Event is…


  • 5 Things You Might Not Know About Dan Zhaoyi

    5 Things You Might Not Know About Dan Zhaoyi

    We would like to thank Tsz Hin Lam for this article on Dan Zhaoyi. Interested in learning more about Dan Zhaoyi? Attend this session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 online conference on Sunday, June 8, 4:00-4:25pm EDT. Learn more and register for the online and in-person conference here. 1. Dan, born 1940, was a student of renowned Chinese…


  • Frances Clark Center Awards Inaugural Community Impact Grants Initiative to Support Inclusive Piano Education

    Frances Clark Center Awards Inaugural Community Impact Grants Initiative to Support Inclusive Piano Education

    The Frances Clark Center has announced the recipients of its first-ever Community Impact Grants Initiative, a national program supporting innovative, community-driven projects in piano education. Funded by the Elvina Pearce Education Fund, the initiative provides grants of $500 to $2,500 to individuals and organizations whose work expands access, fosters inclusion, and strengthens community engagement through…


  • 5 Things You Might Not Know About Mélanie Bonis (1858–1937)

    5 Things You Might Not Know About Mélanie Bonis (1858–1937)

    We would like to thank McKenna Girdeen for this article on Mélanie Bonis. Interested in learning more about Bonis? Attend this session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 in-person conference on Thursday, July 24, 2025, 1:30-2:20pm CDT. Learn more and register for the online and in-person conference here. Mélanie Bonis, a largely underrepresented composer, remains unknown to many musicians …


  • Happy 90th Birthday to Marvin Blickenstaff!

    Happy 90th Birthday to Marvin Blickenstaff!

    Thanks to the generosity of supporters around the world, The Marvin Blickenstaff Teaching Excellence Fund is advancing high-quality teacher education and raising the standard of piano instruction. We invite you to join this meaningful effort by making a contribution to help complete this tribute in time for his milestone birthday. Gifts can be made online…


  • 5 Things You Might Not Know About Abby Whiteside

    5 Things You Might Not Know About Abby Whiteside

    We would like to thank Stephen Marquiss for this article on Abby Whiteside. Interested in learning more about Whiteside? Attend this session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 online event on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1:30-1:55pm CDT. Learn more and register for the conference here. 1. Abby Whiteside (1881-1956) transformed her teaching after admitting only her talented students progressed.…


  • Campos Internacionais Disponíveis – Inscreva-se Já!

    Campos Internacionais Disponíveis – Inscreva-se Já!

    A Conferência de Piano expandiu seu escopo para incluir campos em coreano, mandarim, inglês, espanhol e português.* Todas as sessões em línguas estrangeiras incluirão legendas em inglês para torná-las acessíveis a todos. A inscrição completa na conferência inclui acesso ao evento online e aos arquivos do evento online. Inscreva-se agora para conferir apresentações de especialistas,…


Search
piano inspires logo, black with colored stripes in the tail of the piano