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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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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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Marvin Blickenstaff Teaching Excellence Fund
Thanks to the generosity of supporters around the world, The Marvin Blickenstaff Teaching Excellence Fund is advancing high-quality teacher education and raising the standard of piano instruction. Since its launch in 2023, the fund has supported new courses, teaching resources, and initiatives that reflect Marvin’s philosophy that piano teachers change lives and help create a…
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A Look Inside the Spring 2025 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids: Music and Listening
The Spring 2025 issue of Piano Inspires Kids is available now! 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 Spring Issue. Listening is an important part of being a musician, and in this issue, readers learn about how musicians hear…
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5 Things You Might Not Know About Philippa Schuyler
We would like to thank Sarah Masterson for this article on pianist and composer Philippa Schuyler. Interested in learning more about Philippa Schuyler? Attend her session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 on Thursday, July 24 from 11:30 AM – 11:55 AM in Lilac B. Learn more and register for the conference here. 1. Famous…
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Have at It, Kid! | Honoring Ed Turley
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 this form. Together, we…
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This Week in Piano History: Birth of Jorge Bolet | November 15, 1914
This week, we celebrate the birth of Jorge Bolet, born on November 15, 1914 in Havana, Cuba. Bolet was a Cuban-American pianist whose impressive technical and expressive powers made him a champion of the music of Franz Liszt. Bolet began his studies with his sister Maria. From a very early age, Bolet was captivated by…
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Thoughts on Healthy Musicianship: Special Guest Q&A with Carla Salas-Ruiz
This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Carla Salas-Ruiz about healthy musicianship. Today, Carla is answering those questions in advance of our facilitated discussion event next week (Thursday, November 17 at 11am ET) that will focus on Carla’s article in the Autumn 2022 issue of Piano Magazine, My Journey to Healthy Musicianship:…
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Reflections on My Piano Teacher | Honoring Fern Davidson
We at the Frances Clark Center 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…
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This Week in Piano History: Happy World Piano Day!
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we are celebrating World Piano Day and the accomplishments of all pianists! The piano was invented over three hundred years ago by Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian builder. His ingenious design from 1700 used hammers inside the action of a harpsichord to create a wider dynamic range. Cristofori’s instrument ignited the…
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Tips for Rote Teaching: Special Guest Q&A with Expert E.L. Lancaster
Last year we invited our followers to submit questions for E.L. Lancaster about rote teaching to celebrate he and Kevin Olson’s new publication, From Rote to Note: Elementary Piano Pieces That Reinforce Theory and Technique. We are pleased to give these newly updated answers a permanent home on our Discovery page. We invite you to…
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From Financial Officer to Piano Teacher | Honoring Sandra Preysz and Lenora Brown
We at the Frances Clark Center 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…
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The Power of a Piano Teacher
Teaching is probably the noblest profession in the world — the most unselfish, difficult, and honorable profession. Leonard Bernstein We at the Frances Clark Center believe passionately that piano teachers change the world through their dedication to their students and communities. With the launch of our Power of a Piano Teacher campaign, we will be…
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5 Things You Might Not Know About Zoltán Kodály
Don’t miss Megan’s Inspiring Artistry contribution about J.S. Bach’s Invention in C Minor, which includes exposition on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. 1. Kodály wrote for piano and organ! Besides his many successful works for choir, Kodály wrote 7 Pieces for Piano, Op. 11, a Méditation sur…
