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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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Teaching Us to Be Our Best Selves: The Power of a Piano Teacher
We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. The teachers featured here are making profound contributions to students at all stages,…
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What to Expect at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025
From the Inclusive Teaching Track and Keyboard Lab Presentations The Committees of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 work to research, compile, or otherwise address issues of ongoing significance to our participants and the piano teaching public in meaningful and substantive ways. As we eagerly anticipate NCKP 2025, we asked our committee chairs to give us…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
The Frances Clark Center recognizes Barbara Fast, Susanna Garcia, Gary Ingle, William Chapman Nyaho, and Craig Sale as recipients of the 2025 Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award. Each of these recipients exemplifies outstanding dedication to the field of music and piano teaching. Their influential contributions in the field of piano pedagogy have impacted our profession…
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5 Things You Might Not Know About the Ergonomically Scaled Piano Keyboard
We would like to thank Camila de Oliviera for this article on the Ergonomically Scaled Piano Keyboard (ESPK). Interested in learning more about the EPSK? Attend her session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 on Thursday, July 24, 2025, 12:00-12:25pm CDT. Learn more and register for the conference here. 1. Playing an ESPK doesn’t mean…
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Navajo Cultural Elements in Sandpaintings by Connor Chee
We would like to thank Le Bai for this article on Connor Chee’s piano piece, Sandpaintings. Interested in learning more about this work? Attend Le Bai’s session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 on Thursday, July 24 from 10:30 AM – 10:55 AM CDT in Lilac B. Learn more and register for the conference here.…
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2025 Collegiate Connections
An international cohort of students responded to our call for proposals for the 2025 Collegiate Connections virtual event, which will highlight innovative group projects. The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the selected proposals for our Collegiate Connections event on Friday, April 25, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern; click here to…
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What to Expect at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025
From the Technology and New Professionals Tracks The Committees of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 work to research, compile, or otherwise address issues of ongoing significance to our participants and the piano teaching public in meaningful and substantive ways. As we eagerly anticipate NCKP 2025, we asked our committee chairs to give us a sneak…
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Lisan Wang: Composer and Trailblazer
We would like to thank Rentana Wu for this article on pianist and composer Lisan Wang. Interested in learning more about Lisan Wang? Attend her session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 on Saturday, July 26 from 11:00 AM – 11:25 AM in Grand Ballroom IJ. Learn more and register for the conference here. 1.…
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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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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,…
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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…
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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,…
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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,…
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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…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Robert Weirich
To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Robert Weirich we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Nicholas Phillips. Want to learn more about Weirich? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Weirich on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,…
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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. Learn more and purchase here: https://pianoinspires.com/recollections-by-robert-weirich/. I guess you could say that my pandemic project was to go back through my writings for Clavier and other journals and see if there was…
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A Lifetime Collaboration with Frances Clark
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are sharing this excerpted article by Louise Goss about her lifetime collaboration with Frances Clark. On behalf of The Frances Clark Center thank you to all teachers for sharing the incredible and transformative power of music. Being invited to look at the changes in keyboard pedagogy over the…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Sara Davis Buechner
To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Sara Davis Buechner, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Craig Sale. Want to learn more about Buechner? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Buechner on Apple Podcasts,…
