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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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Around the World with Piano Magazine
Curious about music and music-making practices around the world? Piano Magazine has you covered with articles covering piano teaching and performance practices in all corners of the globe. Piano Music by Composers from Asia: A History of Self-Discovery In this article by Lisa Yui from the Spring 2023 issue, Yui writes about her journey of…
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This Month in Piano History – November 2025
As we move into November, we celebrate the birth of a famous ragtime composer, remember an important premiere, and reflect on Bach’s criminal record! November 6: Bach Goes to Jail This month in 1717, Johann Sebastian Bach went to jail! The beloved composer and pianist spent about four weeks in a “justice room” at the…
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Community Impact Grant Winners 2025
Across the country, pianists are using their art to build connection, inclusion, and opportunity. These four projects—by Kelly Hooper, Zaiba Sheikh, Penny Lazarus, and Raphaelita Justice—show how community impact begins with creativity and compassion, inspiring others to design meaningful initiatives that make music accessible for all. Kelly Hooper: Free-To-Be Kelly Hooper’s Free-To-Be recital reimagines what…
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5 Key Elements of Foundational Piano Pedagogy
1. Teachers should use words that are relevant and efficient while considering other powerful ways to communicate. Teachers use words to teach concepts, praise students, and offer feedback. Words used to give praise and feedback should focus on the music–how it sounds, looks, and feels, rather than the student’s personal ability. Specific, sincere, and descriptive…
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5 Ways PianoInspires Can Transform Your Scale Practice
Ready to move beyond basic drills? The magazines, videos, and publications at pianoinspires.com are packed with fresh, effective ideas to elevate the technique of your piano students and your own practice. 1. Unlock Speed with the 3s and 4s Fingering Rule Tired of tricky fingerings? The Summer 2024 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids provides a…
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Announcing the Autumn 2025 Issue of Piano Magazine!
Announcing the Autumn 2025 issue of Piano Magazine! Discover the remarkable journey of pianist and educator Wilfred Delphin, whose artistry and advocacy have shaped generations of musicians. From his formative years and international performances with his duo partner, Edwin Romain, to his lifelong commitment to mentoring young pianists, Delphin’s story celebrates perseverance, excellence, and the transformative…
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5 Ways to Use the Activities in the Autumn 2025 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids
The Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids is filled with fun, creative, and educational ways to explore music. Whether you’re a teacher looking to bring fresh ideas into your studio or a parent hoping to spark your child’s imagination at home, this issue offers something for everyone. Here are five ways you can use the…
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Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund
We would like to thank Mary Bloom and Michelle Aalders for tributes shared here with this post of the Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund. Phyllis’ legacy as a teacher, mentor, pianist, and colleague is unquestionable. We are honored to celebrate her work through the creation of this new fund in her name. To…
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Announcing Issue 1, Vol. 1 of Journal of Piano Research
The Journal of Piano Research is pleased to announce its first online issue of international, peer-reviewed articles. The Journal of Piano Research promotes the exploration, discussion, and dissemination of high-level research that advances professional practice and scholarship. An investigation of precollege piano students’ practice habits and practice strategies in China Yuan Jiang, Yue Liu Creating a screening tool for dysmusia:…
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“Piano Inspires” Webinar: William Chapman Nyaho Interview
The Frances Clark Center was thrilled to welcome William Chapman Nyaho to our “Piano Inspires” Webinar series. Please enjoy his engaging conversation with Dr. Jennifer Snow, CEO of the Frances Clark Center, and we encourage you to join us for all of our upcoming webinars. https://pianoinspires.com/webinars/ In this installment of our Piano Inspires… series, Dr. Jennifer…
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Five Things You Might Not Know About Filip Lazăr
Check out Danny Milan’s video of Lazăr: Pièces minuscules pour les enfants, Op.16 where he explores the preparation, practice, and interpretation of this unique piece. 1. He was a founding member of the Society of Romanian Composers. Also known as the Romanian Composers’ Society (Societatea Compozitorilor Romani), this organization was founded by Romanian composers George…
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This Week in Piano History: National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day
Happy National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day! Created by the organization Black Women in Jazz, this day celebrates the remarkable impact of Black women in jazz and all the arts. Today, we are highlighting several Black women pianists and composers who have made special contributions to our field. Nina Simone, born February…
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Five Composers You Might Not Know Were Influenced by Indonesian Gamelan
We encourage you to watch Regina Tanujaya’s archived webinar here: “Piano Music by Composers of Asian Heritage, Part 2,” who’s joined by Chee-Hwa Tan and Li-Ly Chang, and Luis Sanchez. This webinar shares appealing and accessible piano teaching music by composers of Asian heritage. 1. Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Debussy first heard the gamelan at the…
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Five Things You Might Not Know About Cécile Chaminade
Don’t miss Angela Miller-Niles’s Inspiring Artistry contribution about Chaminade’s Aubade, which includes information on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. 1. She was the first woman to receive the Légion d’honneur in 1913. The Légion d’honneur is the highest French order of merit. At 56, Chaminade was enjoying…
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This Week in Piano History: The Concert with an Audience of Legends (Including Liszt, Mendelssohn, and Wieck!)
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Chopin had his premiere at the Salons de Pleyel in Paris on February 25, 1832.1 Chopin’s first concert after arriving in Paris, this debut marked one of the few times the Parisian public was able to hear Chopin’s performances. Chopin initially left Poland for a concert tour throughout Europe, but…
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Effectively Teaching Young Students: Q&A with Sara Ernst
We invited our followers to submit questions for Sara Ernst about effectively teaching young students to practice. Today, Sara is answering those questions! We encourage you to read Sara’s article, “Practicing Alongside Our Intermediate Students,” in the Winter 2022 issue of Piano Magazine. Additionally, enroll in our self-guided, online course titled The Beginner Course: Establishing…
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This Week in Piano History: The King of Etudes
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of pianist and composer Carl Czerny who was born on February 21, 1791. Although primarily known for his numerous etudes, Czerny was a prolific composer publishing over 800 works with opus numbers. Czerny was born into a middle class family in Vienna, Austria. His father, Wenzel…
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Five Ideas for Choosing a Spring Recital Theme
We encourage you to watch Holly Kessis’ archived webinar here: “Piano Inspires… Innovation in Practice“ with Igor Lipinski, Brianna Matzke, Joy Morin, Melody Ng, Jason Sifford, and Jennifer Snow. This webinar is a celebration of innovation in organizations, teaching practices, and teacher education. 1. Less is more. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with ideas, so…
