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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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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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Blending East and West: Ma Shui-Long
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Taiwanese composer Ma Shui-Long who died on May 2, 2015 at the age of 75. A composer of a wide oeuvre of works, Ma is known for his efforts to blend Eastern and Western compositional traditions. Ma Shui-Long, born on July 17, 1939, grew up in Ji-long and…
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Why I Give to The Frances Clark Center: A Testimonial from Dennis Alexander
We would like to thank Dennis Alexander for sharing why he gives to The Frances Clark Center. Although #GivingTuesday has concluded, the opportunity to contribute remains open. This special day is just one part of our broader Annual Fund initiative, where every gift helps sustain our vital work. Please consider an additional gift today to…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Martha Hilley
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Martha Hilley, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Artina McCain. Want to learn more about Hilley? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Hilley on Apple Podcasts,…
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Holiday Deals and Cyber Monday Sales!
This Cyber Monday, take your pedagogical skills to the next level with incredible deals on continuing piano education from The Frances Clark Center! Whether you’re a new professional just starting your career, or an experienced teacher, our exclusive discounts on online courses, publications, and subscriptions will help you hone your teaching skills. Don’t miss out…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Peter Mack
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Peter Mack, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Andrea McAlister. Want to learn more about Mack? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Mack on Apple Podcasts,…
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Holiday Deals and Cyber Monday Sales!
This Cyber Monday, take your pedagogical skills to the next level with incredible deals on continuing piano education from The Frances Clark Center! Whether you’re a new professional just starting your career, or an experienced teacher, our exclusive discounts on online courses, publications, and subscriptions will help you hone your teaching skills. Don’t miss out…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Pete Jutras
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Pete Jutras, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Jennifer Snow. Want to learn more about Jutras? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Jutras on Apple Podcasts,…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Catherine Rollin
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Catherine Rollin, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Pamela Pike. Want to learn more about Rollin? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Rollin on Apple Podcasts,…
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A Lifetime of Piano and Friendship
We would like to thank Carol Salas for this tribute to her 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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5 Things You Might Not Know About Mozart
In celebration of the recently unearthed composition, Serenade in C, discovered by the Leipzig Municipal Libraries network, here are five little-known facts about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 1. Mozart’s Fantasia in D minor, K. 397 was unfinished at the time of his death. Like the Serenade in C, this piece was left undiscovered until after Mozart…
