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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • Inspiring Instructors: The Power of a Piano Teacher

    Inspiring Instructors: The Power of a Piano Teacher

    At The Frances Clark Center, we are honoring piano teachers who are working every day to make the world more empathetic, inclusive, and connected through the transformational power of music. 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…


  • This Month in Piano History – Les femmes du musique

    This Month in Piano History – Les femmes du musique

    This November, we celebrate three inspiring women: soprano Maria Callas, composer and pianist Fanny Hensel, and composer, pianist, and organist Emma Lou Diemer. November 1, 1954: The American Operatic Debut of Maria Callas Greek-American soprano Maria Callas personified the “diva” and held many successful roles in Italy and South America before her American debut as…


  • A Look Inside “A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching Recreational Music Makers”

    A Look Inside “A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching Recreational Music Makers”

    We would like to thank Amy Perdew for her contributions to this article on Recreational Music Making. Interested in learning more about RMM? Our latest course, A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching Recreational Music Makers, is available for purchase. Learn more and enroll here. Use code RMMLAUNCH2024 for an exclusive $25 off. Marketing is the process…


  • Recreational Music Making: 5 Discoveries We Made as RMM Teachers

    Recreational Music Making: 5 Discoveries We Made as RMM Teachers

    We would like to thank Debra Perez, Craig Sale, Rebecca Bellelo, and Emily Book McGree for their contributions to this article on Recreational Music Making. Interested to learn more about RMM? Our latest course, A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching Recreational Music Makers, was just released. Learn more and enroll here. Use code RMMLAUNCH2024 for an…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Dennis Alexander

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Dennis Alexander

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


  • Final Call: Proposals for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    Final Call: Proposals for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 advances and supports the international field of piano teaching, learning, and performing. To innovate for the future, we seek programming that explores the challenges and opportunities of the present day and the future for practitioners and performers, arts leaders and advocates, professors and administrators, and new professionals and students. The…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Annie Jeng

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Annie Jeng

    To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Annie Jeng, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Craig Sale. Want to learn more about Jeng? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Jeng on Apple Podcasts,…


  • A Master at Work: Marvin Blickenstaff

    A Master at Work: Marvin Blickenstaff

    We would like to thank Gail Berenson for this tribute to 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 of the…


  • 5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    We would like to thank Megan Hall and Curtis Pavey for this insightful article about why you should submit a proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025. The last chance to submit your proposals via our proposal submission portal is 11:59pm PDT on Monday, October 21, 2024.  1. Share your teaching practices, scholarship, and research.…


  • 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…


  • 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…


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