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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Sara Davis Buechner

    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,…


  • Publication Project: Piano Works of Thomas H. Kerr Jr.

    Publication Project: Piano Works of Thomas H. Kerr Jr.

    We hope you enjoy learning about one of the publication projects of the Frances Clark Center—publishing piano works of Thomas H. Kerr Jr. Please join us for our Publications Launch Party with Susanna Garcia and William Chapman Nyaho celebrating the first of these publications, Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?: Concert Scherzo for Two Pianos, Four…


  • A Continuum Between Teaching Styles: Reflections from the US and Chile

    A Continuum Between Teaching Styles: Reflections from the US and Chile

    We would like to thank Paulina Zamora for this insightful article on her experiences growing up as a musician in Chile. Want to learn more about international teaching practices and repertoire? Register for our 2024 Summer Intensive Seminar “An International Exploration of Piano Teaching Literature” lead by Leah Claiborne and Luis Sanchez. Early bird registration…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Angelin Chang

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Angelin Chang

    To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Angelin Chang we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Andrea McAlister. Want to learn more about Chang? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Chang on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,…


  • Marvin’s Enduring Legacy

    Marvin’s Enduring Legacy

    We would like to thank Marianne Williams 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…


  • Young Professional Highlights: Inspiring Artistry

    Young Professional Highlights: Inspiring Artistry

    We are delighted to share a few highlights from the work of young professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Each of these videos comes from our Inspiring Artistry video collection. To learn more and submit a proposal for a future Inspiring Artistry or From the Artist Bench video, please click here. D. Scarlatti: Sonata…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Chee-Hwa Tan

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Chee-Hwa Tan

    To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Chee-Hwa Tan, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Alejandro Cremaschi. Want to learn more about Tan? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Tan on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,…


  • 2024 Collegiate Connections

    2024 Collegiate Connections

    Students throughout the United States responded to our call for proposals for the 2024 Collegiate Connections virtual event, which will highlight innovative group projects at universities throughout the United States. The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the selected proposals for our event on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM…


  • 5 Reasons to Enroll in a Summer Seminar

    5 Reasons to Enroll in a Summer Seminar

    We would like to thank Sara Ernst for this article about our 2024 Summer Intensive Seminars. Interested in learning more about our 2024 Summer Intensive Seminars? Learn more by clicking here. 1. Summer is a great time for learning! We are offering two summer seminars in the month of July: An International Exploration of Piano…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s Ballet “The Nutcracker” | December 18, 1892

    This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s Ballet “The Nutcracker” | December 18, 1892

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, on December 18, 1892. Although the premiere performance of the ballet was not well received, it has become one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved compositions. The History of The Nutcracker Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker tells the…


  • More Thoughts on Creating a Singing Tone: Special Guest Q&A with Sharon How

    More Thoughts on Creating a Singing Tone: Special Guest Q&A with Sharon How

    This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Sharon How about creating a singing tone. Today, Sharon is answering those questions! We encourage you to read Sharon’s article in the Autumn 2022 issue of Piano Magazine, “Creating a Singing Tone at the Piano“, for her foundational thoughts on teaching a singing tone. Join…


  • The Fundamental Responsibility of Piano Teachers | Honoring Crystal Lee

    The Fundamental Responsibility of Piano Teachers | Honoring Crystal Lee

    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 via our secure online…


  • Opportunities for African American Pianists: Awadagin Pratt on the Nina Simone Piano Competition

    Opportunities for African American Pianists: Awadagin Pratt on the Nina Simone Piano Competition

    We’re pleased to bring you this extended interview between Awadagin Pratt and Artina McCain. Read more about Awadagin Pratt’s accomplishments as a pianist, conductor, and music education advocate in the Winter 2022-2023 issue of Piano Magazine. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe now for only $7.99/mo or $36/year. Nina Simone was an American songwriter, pianist, and…


  • This Week in Piano History: Death of Ignatius Sancho | December 14, 1780

    This Week in Piano History: Death of Ignatius Sancho | December 14, 1780

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember composer (Charles) Ignatius Sancho who died on December 14, 1780. Sancho, also an abolitionist and writer, impacted eighteenth-century British literature and culture. Sancho’s life began tragically as he was born on a slave ship headed for South America. Both of his parents died in his infancy—his mother died…


  • Every Student Has a Voice the World Needs to Hear | Honoring Carole Ann Kriewaldt

    Every Student Has a Voice the World Needs to Hear | Honoring Carole Ann Kriewaldt

    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 via our secure online…


  • Five Things You Might Not Know About Lita Spena

    Five Things You Might Not Know About Lita Spena

    We would like to thank Florencia Zuloaga for collaboration on this post. We encourage you to watch Florencia Zuloaga’s archived webinar here: “Compositores Mujeres de latinoamerica y la península ibérica“ in Spanish with Ester Vela and Gabriela Calderon Cornjego. 1. Lita Spena (1904-1989) was a student of acclaimed Italian piano pedagogue Vicenzo Scaramuzza. Vincenzo Scaramuzza…


  • This Week in Piano History: Premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F | December 3, 1925

    This Week in Piano History: Premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F | December 3, 1925

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY we celebrate the premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F on December 3, 1925 in New York’s Carnegie Hall with Gershwin at the piano. After the success of his Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin set out to prove to the classical musical world that he could handle a traditional classical form…


  • Utilizing Improvisation and Percussion Activities in the Piano Lesson: Special Guest Q&A with Jason Sifford

    Utilizing Improvisation and Percussion Activities in the Piano Lesson: Special Guest Q&A with Jason Sifford

    This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Jason Sifford about utilizing improvisation and percussion activities in the piano lesson. Today, Jason is answering those questions in advance of our creative music making webinar, “Incorporating Improvisation, Composition, and Non-Traditional Instruments in Piano Lessons” with Jason and his co-presenters Grace Huang and Kevin Woosley.…


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