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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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Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part One
We invited our followers to submit questions for Marvin Blickenstaff about all things teaching. In honor of his birthday today (May 19), we are posting his answers! Join us on social media for the opportunity to have your questions on a variety of interesting topics answered by additional experts in the coming weeks. I love…
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The Consummate Role Model for Piano Teachers | Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff
Naegeli van Bergen Metcalf was my first college piano teacher and a beloved mentor. She left Wesleyan College after my freshman year to get married, and we stayed in touch throughout the remainder of her teaching years. So, during my junior year, she was in touch and encouraged me to go to the University of…
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Happy Birthday, Marvin Blickenstaff!
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate one of our own—Marvin Blickenstaff—who was born on May 19, 1935. A world-renowned music educator and pianist, Blickenstaff’s career as a leader in the field of piano pedagogy has spanned nearly six decades. Blickenstaff grew up in Nampa, Idaho and credits his teacher Fern Nolte Davidson with helping…
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Five Principles to Help you Prepare and Practice Orchestral Reductions
Don’t miss Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao‘s presentation at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference, Piano as Orchestra: Creating Artful Orchestral Reductions, on June 11, 2023 from 2:00-2:50PM during our online event. Register now for NCKP 2023! 1. Listen to a Recording When you are learning a new orchestral reduction, it is very important to listen to the original orchestral…
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A Quick Look at Teaching Adults: What Pianists Should Know
Special thanks to Jackie Edwards-Henry (JEH) and Mary Sallee (MKS), members of the NCKP 2023 Teaching Adults committee, for this post. Why is teaching adults important for pianists today? JEH: Teaching adults shows us that we’re never too old to learn and experience the joy of music-making at the piano. So many adults say, “I…
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Always give your maximum: A conversation with Menahem Pressler
With deep sadness at the recent passing of Menahem Pressler and in greatest honor and memory of his legacy, we share this article by Jerry Wong as it originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of The Piano Magazine: Clavier Companion. Menahem Pressler, best known as the pianist of the unparalleled Beaux Arts Trio for…
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Bach Meets with the King!
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Bach met King Frederick the Great of Prussia on May 7, 1747. During this visit, Frederick the Great inspired one of Bach’s most important final works, his Musical Offering, BWV 1079. Bach arrived in Potsdam on May 7, 1747 at the court of Frederick the Great. Bach’s son, Carl Philipp…
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A Quick Look at Technology: What Pianists Should Know
Special thanks to the Stella Sick, chair of the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Technology committee, for this post. Why is technology important for pianists today? The last three years have expanded everyone’s base-level of technology usage. This newly found familiarity opened doors to immersive music experiences, exciting collaborations, reaching new audiences, and expanding repertoire.…
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A Quick Look at Teaching Young Musicians: What Pianists Should Know
Special thanks to the Janet Tschida, chair of the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Young Musicians: Birth to Age 9 committee for this post. Why is working with young musicians important for pianists today? The Young Musicians Track’s theme of “Learning Music from the Inside Out” endeavors to support teachers aspiring to implement an aural/experiential…
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What to Expect at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025
From the International Track The committees of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 contribute to the program of the conference by curating topic-based tracks from the call for proposals. These unique scheduling blocks allow attendees to explore a series of presentations that have been thematically grouped for a deep learning experience. As we eagerly anticipate NCKP…
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Marvin Blickenstaff Teaching Excellence Fund
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. Since its launch in 2023, the fund has supported new courses, teaching resources, and initiatives that reflect Marvin’s philosophy that piano teachers change lives and help create a…
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A Look Inside the Spring 2025 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids: Music and Listening
The Spring 2025 issue of Piano Inspires Kids is available now! 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 Spring Issue. Listening is an important part of being a musician, and in this issue, readers learn about how musicians hear…
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5 Things You Might Not Know About Philippa Schuyler
We would like to thank Sarah Masterson for this article on pianist and composer Philippa Schuyler. Interested in learning more about Philippa Schuyler? Attend her session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 on Thursday, July 24 from 11:30 AM – 11:55 AM in Lilac B. Learn more and register for the conference here. 1. Famous…
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Last Chance to Participate – The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025
Last chance to participate in The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025! The deadline to submit Collegiate Connections, E-Posters, Performances, and Teaching Demonstrations is Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific. Collegiate Connections We invite collegiate groups in pedagogy, repertoire, and related performance classes along with their faculty to participate. Projects may cover a wide range…
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88 Keys in 88 Hours – Thank You to Our Donors
Share your love of the piano and help support The Frances Clark Center by “purchasing” a virtual piano key during our 88 Keys in 88 Hours donation campaign for Piano Day 2025! Starting tomorrow, our virtual piano keys will be available for a range of amounts, starting at $5. Your donation will help us continue…
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Piano Day 2025 – Coming Soon!
Share your love of the piano and help support The Frances Clark Center by “purchasing” a virtual piano key during our 88 Keys in 88 Hours donation campaign for Piano Day 2025! Starting tomorrow, our virtual piano keys will be available for a range of amounts, starting at $5. Your donation will help us continue…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Samantha Coates
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Samantha Coates, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Craig Sale. Want to learn more about Coates? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Coates on Apple Podcasts,…
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E-Posters: Why You Should Submit and Tips for Success
With gratitude we welcome one of our NCKP 2021: The Piano Conference Research E-Poster Award Winners, Robin S. Heinsen, to our Discovery Page. Heinsen is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Miami University, and provides helpful insights based on her experience as an NCKP poster presenter. We invite you to submit e-posters, teaching demonstrations, performance…
