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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • Meet People Where They Are | Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

    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

    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

    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!

    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…


  • Where can I find more resources about composers from Latin America?

    Where can I find more resources about composers from Latin America?

    Latin American piano music is rich in influences, traditional dance rhythms, and unique forms, making this music exciting for students of all abilities. From September 15-October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable music and contributions of individuals with Hispanic heritage. In this Discovery Page post, we…


  • Piano Inspires Kids: An Interview with Co-Editors-in-Chief Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst

    Piano Inspires Kids: An Interview with Co-Editors-in-Chief Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst

    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 ages 8-14. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! Why did you start a kids magazine? Piano Inspires Kids is a…


  • 5 Ways to Provide Student-Centered Feedback

    5 Ways to Provide Student-Centered Feedback

    In his Summer 2023 article “Breaking Out of the House of Corrections,” Craig Sale gave practical advice about how to develop independent learners and motivated students. Here are five tips for providing student-centered feedback from his article. Read the full article at https://pianoinspires.com/article/breaking-out-of-the-house-of-corrections/.  1. When working on technique, provide good models and then ask students…


  • From the Archives: An Interview with James Lyke

    From the Archives: An Interview with James Lyke

    In celebration of Dr. James Lyke and his life, the Frances Clark Center is pleased to share an excerpted interview written by Ronald Chioldi and published in the May 2009 issue of Clavier Companion (Vol. 1, No. 3). Click here to read the full interview. An Interview with James Lyke When I attended Jim Lyke’s…


  • Mindfulness in the Piano Lesson: Where Do We Start?

    Mindfulness in the Piano Lesson: Where Do We Start?

    In the Summer 2023 Piano Magazine issue, Fernanda Nieto posed a question about mindfulness in the piano studio: how do we help our students deal with the stresses in piano lessons but also in everyday life? Enjoy this excerpt from her article, and consider how you can help your students manage the many stresses in…


  • Thank You!

    Thank You!

    As we enter 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 of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own…


  • Engaging the Brain: Practice Tips from an Interview with Spencer Myer

    Engaging the Brain: Practice Tips from an Interview with Spencer Myer

    We would like to thank Barbara Fast and Spencer Myer for this insightful interview on practice. Want to learn more about practicing? Register for the free webinar, “#100daysofpractice: Selection and adaptation of self-regulated learning strategies in an online music performance challenge” presented by Camilla dos Santos Silva and Helena Marinho, hosted by Alejandro Cremaschi on…


  • The Joy of Giving

    The Joy of Giving

    As we enter 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 of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own…


  • A Symphony of Gratitude

    A Symphony of Gratitude

    We would like to thank Ricardo Pozenatto for this tribute to his teacher, Diana Dumlavwalla. 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…


  • Honoring Amy Merkley and Irene Peery-Fox

    Honoring Amy Merkley and Irene Peery-Fox

    We would like to thank Hyrum Arnesen for this tribute to his teachers, Amy Merkley and Irene Peery-Fox. As we enter 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…


  • Thank you, Jane!

    Thank you, Jane!

    We would like to thank Sara Ernst for this tribute to her teacher, Jane Magrath. As we enter 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…


  • She Really Took a Chance on Me

    She Really Took a Chance on Me

    We would like to thank Asia Passmore for this tribute to her teacher, Ms. Tamara. As we enter 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…


  • Peer Connections: Reflections on Bridging into the Professional Life

    Peer Connections: Reflections on Bridging into the Professional Life

    The Frances Clark Center is excited to launch Peer Connections, a virtual gathering of young professionals to engage with relevant topics and develop a global network of peers. The first Peer Connections: Bridging into the Professional Life will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, 6:00-7:30 PM EST. Join us as professionals in our community share their experiences and…


  • The Joy of Giving

    The Joy of Giving

    As we enter 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 of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own…


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