pianoinspires.com

Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • The Benefits of NCKP: The Piano Conference and Why You Should Attend

    The Benefits of NCKP: The Piano Conference and Why You Should Attend

    We would like to thank Marvin Blickenstaff for this article about the benefits of The Piano Conference: NCKP. Want to learn more about The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025? Click here to read about next year’s conference and submit a proposal. Want to hear more from Marvin Blickenstaff? Join our book club beginning September 10, 2024!…


  • The Body and the Beat: Developing Rhythm through Mindful Movement

    The Body and the Beat: Developing Rhythm through Mindful Movement

    We would like to thank Lesley McAllister for this insightful article on rhythm and movement. To read the full article, click here. Movement, for children, is necessary for learning. Young bodies are fine-tuned sensory receptors collecting information, curious and eager to explore the world around them.1 The young child is in a period of sensitivity…


  • Do You Use Summer Lessons for Special Reading Activities?

    Do You Use Summer Lessons for Special Reading Activities?

    We would like to thank Richard Chronister, Mary Ann Letti, and Berdine Ehrman for this insightful article on summer reading activities. To read the full article, click here. Both writers for this issue’s Music Reading Department take the view that summer is special for piano students. A good case can be made for discontinuing the regular…


  • Piano Inspires Kids: Musicians and Athletes: What Can They Learn from One Another?

    Piano Inspires Kids: Musicians and Athletes: What Can They Learn from One Another?

    The Summer 2024 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids is coming soon! Subscribers will be receiving the print issue in their mailboxes in the coming weeks. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to receive the issue and give the gift of music to the musicians in your life! Keep reading for a sneak peek into the…


  • This Month in Piano History: July 2024

    This Month in Piano History: July 2024

    July 1, 1950 Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, whose work in music education made a lasting impression on the field, died in Geneva, Switzerland on this day. He completed studies in Geneva, Paris, and Vienna, working with the likes of Fauré, Delibes, and Bruckner among others. Early on, he became fascinated with rhythm, and while working at the…


  • Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part One

    Q&A with Marvin Blickenstaff: Part One

    We would like to thank Marvin Blickenstaff for answering these questions regarding his approach to piano pedagogy. Want to learn more about Marvin’s teaching? The Frances Clark Center recently published his book Inspired Piano Teaching. This fall 2024, we are excited to announce that Marvin and The Frances Clark Center will host a virtual book…


  • What is a Good Piano Sound and How Do You Get it?

    What is a Good Piano Sound and How Do You Get it?

    We would like to thank William Fried for this insightful article on making a beautiful sound at the piano. Want to learn more about tone production? Check out the latest issue of Piano Magazine. Our new summer issue can be found by clicking here. “You get a terrible sound at the piano, William. Just terrible.”…


  • A Tribute to Gary Ingle

    A Tribute to Gary Ingle

    by Jennifer Snow Published in Piano Magazine, Summer 2024 Issue Leadership is a term that is frequently used. A quick google search reveals a range of characteristics, terminology, and definitions of success. The truth of effective leadership lies in the person—an individual who impacts a profession, motivates and inspires, builds community, navigates change, directs through…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Ann DuHamel

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Ann DuHamel

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


  • How to Write an Effective Conference Proposal: 5 Tips for Success

    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…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Artina McCain

    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,…


  • Awadagin Pratt: Pianist, Conductor, Music Education Advocate

    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,…


  • Celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s 89th Birthday With Us!

    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…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Robert Weirich

    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,…


  • 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. 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…


  • A Lifetime Collaboration with Frances Clark

    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 for Keyboard Pedagogy, thank you to all teachers for sharing the incredible and transformative power of music. Being invited to look at the changes in keyboard…


  • 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…


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