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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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From Massachusetts to Hawaii | Honoring Our Teachers
As we enter the season of gratitude and giving, we pay tribute to piano teachers from around the country who are transforming the lives of their students. From Massachusetts to Hawaii, students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. The teachers featured…
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This Week in Piano History: Ignacy Jan Paderewski Resigns from Polish Prime Minister Position | November 27, 1919
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we reflect upon the resignation of Ignacy Jan Paderewski as Prime Minister of Poland on November 27,1919.1 An important pianist, composer, and statesman, Paderewski’s influence and legacy in Polish culture and early twentieth-century politics is undeniable. Paderewski was born in Kursk, Podolia, which is now part of Ukraine. He had…
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This Week in Piano History: Death of Dame Myra Hess | November 25, 1965
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Dame Myra Hess, a British pianist who died on November 25, 1965. Hess rose to fame due to her lunchtime concerts in London during World War II and later became Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 1941 in recognition of her outstanding musical achievements. Hess was the…
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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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Six Reasons You Should Apply to the Postgraduate Teaching Program at The New School for Music Study
We would like to thank Trevor Thornton for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s Postgraduate Teaching Program. Want to learn more about the Postgraduate Teaching Program? Learn more and apply by clicking here. The New School for Music Study’s postgraduate teaching program provides the opportunity to continue your education while serving…
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Create to Motivate: Using Repertoire to Incorporate Creativity in Lessons
We would like to thank Chee-Hwa Tan for this insightful article on creative activities to explore with your students. Want to apply these tips with your students? We encourage your students to submit to the Piano Inspires Kids 2024 Composition Contest. Student applicants are tasked with composing a fanfare inspired by the upcoming 2024 Summer…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: An Interview with William Chapman Nyaho
To celebrate the latest episode of Piano Inspires Podcast featuring William Chapman Nyaho, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Jennifer Snow. Want to learn more about Nyaho? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Nyaho on Apple Podcasts,…
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Effectively Teaching Young Students: Q&A with Sara Ernst
We would like to thank Sara Ernst for participating in this interview answering questions about effectively teaching young students. Interested in learning more from Sara Ernst about teaching elementary pianists? Attend our 2024 Summer Intensive Seminar: Teaching Elementary Pianists. Learn more by clicking here. What are your thoughts on having parents involved with practice? When…
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A Pianist’s Approach to Research
We would like to thank Carla Salas-Ruiz for this contribution on writing articles for research publications such as the Journal of Piano Research. Learn more about the Journal of Piano Research by clicking here. Writing, akin to music, provides a platform for self-expression. It also fosters critical thinking and enables us to articulate diverse perspectives,…
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Walk a mile in your neighbor’s shoes: Diversity in the teaching studio
We would like to thank Bennyce Hamilton and Rachel Kramer for this insightful article on diversity in the teaching studio. Want to learn more about DEI? Check out our new course, Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The course is now available for presale purchase. Click here to learn more. Music…
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Reflections on the Postgraduate Teaching Program
We would like to thank Allison Shinnick Keep for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s Postgraduate Teaching Program. Want to learn more about the Postgraduate Teaching Program? Learn more and apply by clicking here. There are experiences in life that change you slowly over long periods of time, and others that…
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Cultivating Brave Spaces in the Piano Studio Using DEI Repertoire and Practices
We would like to thank Penny Lazarus for this insightful article on inclusive programming. Want to learn more about Penny Lazarus’s work in DEI and her thoughts on inclusive programming? Lazarus is a contributor for our new course, Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The course is now available for presale…
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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…
