pianoinspires.com

Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • Five Things You Might Not Know About Florence Price

    Five Things You Might Not Know About Florence Price

    Don’t miss Lia Jenson-Abbott’s Inspiring Artistry contribution about Florence Price’s Down a Southern Lane, which includes information on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. 1.  At age 18, Florence Price graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with two degrees:  Teachers Diploma in Piano and Soloists Diploma…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Philip Glass | January 31, 1937

    This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Philip Glass | January 31, 1937

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of American composer Philip Glass, who was born on January 31, 1937. Known for his unique approach to minimalist style, Glass’ award-winning compositions continue to inspire audiences worldwide. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Glass began studying the violin and flute in his childhood, later becoming intrigued by…


  • Teaching Contemporary Music: Q&A with Brendan Jacklin

    Teaching Contemporary Music: Q&A with Brendan Jacklin

    This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Brendan Jacklin about teaching new and contemporary music. Today, Brendan is answering those questions! We encourage you to watch Brendan’s archived webinar on teaching George Crumb’s Eine Kleine Mitternachtmusik. Join us on social media for the opportunity to have your questions on a variety of…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Muzio Clementi | January 23, 1752

    This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Muzio Clementi | January 23, 1752

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of pianist, composer, and piano manufacturer Muzio Clementi, who was born on January 23, 1752. Although Clementi is most well known today for his sonatinas, he wrote a number of large-scale piano sonatas and achieved great success with his piano manufacturing business. Clementi, born in Rome,…


  • Five Things You Might Not Know About Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee

    Five Things You Might Not Know About Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee

    Don’t miss Leonidas Lagrimas’ Inspiring Artistry contribution about Amy Beach’s Improvisation Op. 148, No. 1, which includes exposition on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. The piano music of Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee has been steadily gaining popularity over the past several decades, to the point where her work…


  • An Inspiring Legacy of Excellence and Advocacy | Honoring Claudette Sorel

    An Inspiring Legacy of Excellence and Advocacy | Honoring Claudette Sorel

    We believe passionately that piano teachers change the world through their dedication to students and communities. Our Power of a Piano Teacher campaign shares personal tributes to document the extraordinary contributions of piano teachers. We welcome you to celebrate your teacher and share your tribute with us by making a donation to the Frances Clark Center. Together, we will further…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata | January 20, 1939

    This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata | January 20, 1939

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata, which American pianist John Kirkpatrick premiered on January 20, 1939. The sonata, Ives’ second piano sonata, lasts over forty-five minutes and is noted for its extremely dense writing and complicated use of leitmotifs. Ives was an American musical pioneer who was…


  • Our Experiences Writing for Piano Magazine

    Our Experiences Writing for Piano Magazine

    Every year, Piano Magazine offers students the opportunity to showcase their research and writing through the Collegiate Writing Contest. We are pleased to present the testimonies of two recent winners of this competition, in hopes that it will inspire other collegiate students to submit their manuscripts for a chance to be featured in Piano Magazine.…


  • How to Record an Effective Teaching Demonstration: 6 Tips for Success

    How to Record an Effective Teaching Demonstration: 6 Tips for Success

    We are delighted to share top tips from Dr. Sara Ernst on recording effective teaching demonstrations as you compile your teaching video submissions for NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference. Sara is Director of Teacher Engagement for the Frances Clark Center and a member of the Executive Committee for NCKP: The Piano Conference. We invite you…


  • The Power of a Piano Teacher

    The Power of a Piano Teacher

    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…


  • Journal of Piano Research: Interview with Pamela Pike and Alejandro Cremaschi

    Journal of Piano Research: Interview with Pamela Pike and Alejandro Cremaschi

    The Co-Editors-in-Chief of Journal of Piano Research, Dr. Pamela Pike and Dr. Alejandro Cremaschi, recently answered some questions about the new Journal of Piano Research. Find out more about the journal below and go to journalofpianoresearch.org/ to learn more about this new publication! 1. Why did you decide to develop the Journal of Piano Research?…


  • Recollections with Robert Weirich

    Recollections with Robert Weirich

    We would like to thank Robert Weirich for his insightful commentary regarding his latest book, Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living. Order Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living, by Robert Weirich NOW and enjoy a 20% off launch discount. Use code WEIRICHLAUNCH20 at checkout. Learn more and purchase here: https://pianoinspires.com/recollections-by-robert-weirich/.…


  • From the Archives: How Do You Teach Students to Plan Fingering?

    From the Archives: How Do You Teach Students to Plan Fingering?

    Quer saber mais sobre dedilhado? Inscreva-se no nosso webinar internacional gratuito, “ A dedilhação como elemento de expressividade na performance pianística” apresentado por Luis Pipa no dia 4 de novembro. Saiba mais e inscreva-se aqui: https://pianoinspires.com/webinar/11-04-23-webinar/. The following contribution from Bruce Berr appeared in an article edited by Richard Chronister titled “How Do You Teach Students…


  • How do you use Piano Inspires Kids in your studio?

    How do you use Piano Inspires Kids in your studio?

    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. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! With the recent launch of Piano Inspires Kids, I have been looking forward to incorporating this new publication…


  • Five Things You Should Know About Teaching Adults in Groups

    Five Things You Should Know About Teaching Adults in Groups

    In her Summer 2021 article “Teaching Adults in Group-Piano Settings: Facilitating the Musical Process,” Pamela Pike gave practical advice about how to teach adults in group settings. Here are five tips for working with adults in groups from her article. Read the full article at https://pianoinspires.com/article/summer-2021-teaching-adults-in-group-piano-settings-facilitating-the-musical-process/.   1. Before creating and designing group-piano classes, teachers should identify…


  • Piano Inspires Kids Excerpt: Listening Guide for the 12 American Preludes by Ginastera

    Piano Inspires Kids Excerpt: Listening Guide for the 12 American Preludes by Ginastera

    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. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! The Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids explores Argentina; the dances, composers, and performers that have contributed to a rich…


  • Three Common Questions Asked by Teacher/Facilitators Concerning Adult Piano Learners

    Three Common Questions Asked by Teacher/Facilitators Concerning Adult Piano Learners

    We would like to thank Jackie Edwards-Henry for this insightful article on teaching adults. Want to learn more about adult teaching? Register for the free webinar, “It’s Never Too Late: Lived Experiences of Adult Piano Learners” presented by Pei-Chen Chen and Elizabeth Haddon, hosted by Alejandro Cremaschi on October 25. Learn more and register here:…


  • Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part Two

    Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part Two

    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. You can read Part One here. This week, Marvin is touring Colorado, Utah, and Nevada with staff from the Frances Clark Center. Is…


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