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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • Five Things You Might Not Know About Florence Price

    Five Things You Might Not Know About Florence Price

    Don’t miss Lia Jenson-Abbott’s Inspiring Artistry contribution about Florence Price’s Down a Southern Lane, which includes information on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. 1.  At age 18, Florence Price graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with two degrees:  Teachers Diploma in Piano and Soloists Diploma…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Philip Glass | January 31, 1937

    This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Philip Glass | January 31, 1937

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of American composer Philip Glass, who was born on January 31, 1937. Known for his unique approach to minimalist style, Glass’ award-winning compositions continue to inspire audiences worldwide. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Glass began studying the violin and flute in his childhood, later becoming intrigued by…


  • Teaching Contemporary Music: Q&A with Brendan Jacklin

    Teaching Contemporary Music: Q&A with Brendan Jacklin

    This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Brendan Jacklin about teaching new and contemporary music. Today, Brendan is answering those questions! We encourage you to watch Brendan’s archived webinar on teaching George Crumb’s Eine Kleine Mitternachtmusik. Join us on social media for the opportunity to have your questions on a variety of…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Muzio Clementi | January 23, 1752

    This Week in Piano History: The Birth of Muzio Clementi | January 23, 1752

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the birth of pianist, composer, and piano manufacturer Muzio Clementi, who was born on January 23, 1752. Although Clementi is most well known today for his sonatinas, he wrote a number of large-scale piano sonatas and achieved great success with his piano manufacturing business. Clementi, born in Rome,…


  • Five Things You Might Not Know About Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee

    Five Things You Might Not Know About Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee

    Don’t miss Leonidas Lagrimas’ Inspiring Artistry contribution about Amy Beach’s Improvisation Op. 148, No. 1, which includes exposition on how to effectively teach the piece, all the way from preparation to performance. The piano music of Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee has been steadily gaining popularity over the past several decades, to the point where her work…


  • An Inspiring Legacy of Excellence and Advocacy | Honoring Claudette Sorel

    An Inspiring Legacy of Excellence and Advocacy | Honoring Claudette Sorel

    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. Together, we will further…


  • This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata | January 20, 1939

    This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata | January 20, 1939

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata, which American pianist John Kirkpatrick premiered on January 20, 1939. The sonata, Ives’ second piano sonata, lasts over forty-five minutes and is noted for its extremely dense writing and complicated use of leitmotifs. Ives was an American musical pioneer who was…


  • Our Experiences Writing for Piano Magazine

    Our Experiences Writing for Piano Magazine

    Every year, Piano Magazine offers students the opportunity to showcase their research and writing through the Collegiate Writing Contest. We are pleased to present the testimonies of two recent winners of this competition, in hopes that it will inspire other collegiate students to submit their manuscripts for a chance to be featured in Piano Magazine.…


  • How to Record an Effective Teaching Demonstration: 6 Tips for Success

    How to Record an Effective Teaching Demonstration: 6 Tips for Success

    We are delighted to share top tips from Dr. Sara Ernst on recording effective teaching demonstrations as you compile your teaching video submissions for NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference. Sara is Director of Teacher Engagement for the Frances Clark Center and a member of the Executive Committee for NCKP: The Piano Conference. We invite you…


  • This Month in Piano History – September 2024: Celebrate Classical Music Month

    This Month in Piano History – September 2024: Celebrate Classical Music Month

    September 1994 Classical Music Month was established by President Bill Clinton, who greatly appreciated the unifying power of classical music. On August 22, 1994, President Clinton spoke about the power of music: Classical music is a celebration of artistic excellence. Great art endures through the ages… Classical music plays in harmony with that energy and…


  • An Invitation to the Piano Inspires Book Club – Part 2

    An Invitation to the Piano Inspires Book Club – Part 2

    As we approach the new school year, we invite you to join us for the Piano Inspires Book Club! The first book club will focus on Marvin Blickenstaff’s new book Inspired Piano Teaching. Learn more and register here. August 26, 2024 Dear Frances Clark Center Community, As we approach the new school year, we invite…


  • Unveiling the New Season of Peer Connections Gatherings

    Unveiling the New Season of Peer Connections Gatherings

    We would like to thank Yeeseon Kwon for this exciting message about the new season of Peer Connections events. Interested in participating? Our first event is Peer Connections: Advancing Your Opportunities and Professionalism, which occurs on Friday, October 4th at 11AM ET. Learn more and register here. The start of a new school year brings…


  • An Invitation to the Piano Inspires Book Club

    An Invitation to the Piano Inspires Book Club

    As we approach the new school year, we invite you to join us for the Piano Inspires Book Club! The first book club will focus on Inspired Piano Teaching by Marvin Blickenstaff. Learn more and register here. August 26, 2024 Dear Frances Clark Center Community, As we approach the new school year, we invite you to join us…


  • 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 Kids: Student Spotlights

    Piano Inspires Kids: Student Spotlights

    The Summer 2024 Issue of Piano Inspires Kids is here! 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 Summer Issue. Calling all Piano Inspires Kids readers; we want to hear from you about you! What is a Student Spotlight? You can…


  • Effective, enforceable piano studio policies

    Effective, enforceable piano studio policies

    We would like to thank Wendy Stevens for this article about studio policies. To read the full article, click here. Between August 5 and September 15, The Frances Clark Center is offering 20% off all full-length courses such as A Pianist’s Guide to Studio Management. Check out our other courses here and use this discount…


  • Does Piano Study Help Children in Other Aspects of School Study?

    Does Piano Study Help Children in Other Aspects of School Study?

    We would like to thank Madeleine Crouch for this article about piano study and how it affects academic achievement. To read the full article, click here. Between August 5 and September 15, The Frances Clark Center is offering 20% off all full-length courses such as A Pianist’s Guide to Studio Management. Check out our other…


  • Piano Inspires Book Club Announcement

    Piano Inspires Book Club Announcement

    As we approach the new school year, we invite you to join us for the Piano Inspires Book Club! The first book club will focus on Marvin Blickenstaff’s new book Inspired Piano Teaching. Learn more and register here. Join author Marvin Blickenstaff and host Sara Ernst for a four-part, open-access series discussing Inspired Piano Teaching…


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