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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • Spring 2021: Pupil Saver: Adagio in F Minor by Chevalier de Saint-Georges

    Spring 2021: Pupil Saver: Adagio in F Minor by Chevalier de Saint-Georges

    We would like to thank Leah Claiborne for this insightful article on Chevalier de Saint-Georges’s Adagio in F Minor. Want to hear more about Leah Claiborne’s research and work at the Center? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. In this episode, Craig Sale and Leah engage in an inspiring conversation about…


  • A Valentine’s Tribute to Transformational Piano Teachers

    A Valentine’s Tribute to Transformational Piano Teachers

    Share the love this Valentine’s Day by honoring piano teachers who are working every day to make the world more kind, 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…


  • Vision, Dedication, and Multiplication: Honoring Janet Tschida

    Vision, Dedication, and Multiplication: Honoring Janet Tschida

    We would like to thank Makayla Stevenson for this tribute to her teacher, Janet Tschida. 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…


  • The Gift that Keeps Giving: Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

    The Gift that Keeps Giving: Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

    We would like to thank Arlene Steffen 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…


  • Remaking Ourselves and the Standard Canon: Perspectives and Resources for Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Classical Music

    Remaking Ourselves and the Standard Canon: Perspectives and Resources for Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Classical Music

    We would like to thank Nicholas Reynolds for this insightful article on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the classical music world. Did you hear about our new course—Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? Join us on February 21st at 11:00am ET for a discussion of this new course in our webinar…


  • Celebrating Black History Month

    Celebrating Black History Month

    From February 1-29, we celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable music and contributions of Black people. In this Discovery Page post, we have curated a collection of Piano Inspires resources to help everyone discover something new. From our international webinar series, to articles in Piano Magazine and Piano…


  • A Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff and his Pedagogical Legacy

    A Tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff and his Pedagogical Legacy

    We would like to thank Sara Ernst, Jane Magrath, Karen Zorn, Joel M. Harrison, Marianne Williams, Zack Kleiman, Henry Banta, Anya Smith, and Nina Austria for collaborating on this tribute to Marvin Blickenstaff. Interested in learning more about Marvin Blickenstaff and his teaching? Marvin’s latest book, Inspired Piano Teaching, is coming soon and is available…


  • Marvin Blickenstaff: Cheerleader Extraordinaire

    Marvin Blickenstaff: Cheerleader Extraordinaire

    We would like to thank Sara Ernst for this tribute to her mentor, Marvin Blickenstaff. On January 30, 2024 we are hosting a virtual Publications Party to celebrate Marvin Blickenstaff’s new book, Inspired Piano Teaching. Click here to register for this free event! If you are interested in learning more about Marvin’s book, you can read more…


  • 5 Things to Know about Piano Inspires Kids Composition Contest

    5 Things to Know about Piano Inspires Kids Composition Contest

    Attention budding composers! Piano Inspires Kids invites students to submit a piano solo for our first composition contest! Winning compositions will be featured in the Summer 2024 issue and on our website, kids.pianoinspires.com. Read below for all the details! 1. The composition must be a fanfare. A fanfare is a short and usually brilliant piece…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Gail Berenson

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Gail Berenson

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


  • Breaking Stereotypes: Indigenous Composers Defining New Musical Frontiers

    Breaking Stereotypes: Indigenous Composers Defining New Musical Frontiers

    We would like to thank Connor Chee for this insightful article on Indigenous composers. To read the full article, click here. The Frances Clark Center is excited to share our latest publication: Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers, compiled and edited by Connor Chee and Renata Yazzie. Learn more and get…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Courtney Crappell

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Courtney Crappell

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


  • This Month in Piano History – February 2025

    This Month in Piano History – February 2025

    February is a month of reflection and celebration as we observe Black History Month and Valentine’s Day. It is also a time of remembrance and commemoration as we recall many important composers and pianists. Read below to discover more about a famous pianist and showman, the lives of two different composers, and a celebrated American…


  • Celebrate the Power of a Piano Lesson This Valentine’s Day

    Celebrate the Power of a Piano Lesson This Valentine’s Day

    Music has the power to transform lives, and it all starts with a single lesson. This Valentine’s Day, show your love for music and the teachers who make it possible by donating the value of one piano lesson to the Power of a Piano Lesson campaign. At The Frances Clark Center, we believe in the…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Barbara Fast

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Barbara Fast

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


  • Publications Launch Party: Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers

    Publications Launch Party: Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers

    Webinar with Connor Chee and Renata Yazzie Weaving Sounds is a collection of beginner piano repertoire written by the vibrant and diverse voices of Native and Indigenous composers from the Diné, Mohawk, Anishinaabe, Cree, Blackfoot, Jicarilla Apache, Choctaw, and Mohican communities. Each piece is a unique expression of the composers’ cultural roots and personal artistry,…


  • The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Innovation Summit: Designing the Future of Piano Education

    The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Innovation Summit: Designing the Future of Piano Education

    Join us for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 as we gather together in person and online. The Piano Conference seeks to explore the challenges and opportunities facing our international community at this inflection point for the profession.  Full conference registration includes four days of engagement, including the summit, concerts, keynotes, PEDx presentations, and more, as…


  • E-Posters: Why You Should Submit and Tips for Success

    E-Posters: Why You Should Submit and Tips for Success

    With gratitude we welcome one of our NCKP 2021: The Piano Conference Research E-Poster Award Winners, Robin S. Heinsen, to our Discovery Page. Heinsen is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Miami University, and provides helpful insights based on her experience as an NCKP poster presenter. We invite you to submit e-posters, teaching demonstrations, performance…


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