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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • A Sneak Peek into PEDx at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 – Part 2

    A Sneak Peek into PEDx at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 – Part 2

    PEDx speakers and panelists at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 will discuss visions for jazz piano pedagogy, A.I. in music, Indigenous composers, and piano suites. Don’t miss these inspiring sessions! Haven’t registered for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 yet? Register here. Friday, July 25, 2:00-4:00 PM CDT Harmony in Contrast: Four Jazz Pianists Discuss Their…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: An Interview with Connor Chee

    Piano Inspires Podcast: An Interview with Connor Chee

    On Wednesday, July 23rd from 8:00-10:00pm, The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 will present the 2025 Celebration Concert featuring pianists Rochelle Sennet, Connor Chee, Alexa Stier, Carol Leone, Derek Hartman, Artina McCain, Spencer Myer, Susanna Garcia, and William Chapman Nyaho. In celebration, we are sharing this excerpt from Connor Chee’s appearance on the Piano Inspires Podcast.…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Rochelle Sennet

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Rochelle Sennet

    On Friday, July 25th from 2:00-4:00pm, The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 will present PEDx talks, highlighting exemplary work and projects performed by members of our community. In celebration, we are sharing this excerpt from Rochelle Sennet’s appearance on the Piano Inspires Podcast. Interested in hearing more from Sennet? Register for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025…


  • How To Travel to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 without Breaking the Bank!

    How To Travel to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 without Breaking the Bank!

    The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 is just around the corner! With events running from Wednesday, July 23 through Saturday, July 26, the conference will feature concerts, PEDx talks, presentations, and more. Have you registered yet? Register today for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 by clicking here. Having spent a good amount of the last 30…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Karen Walwyn

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Karen Walwyn

    On Thursday, July 24th from 2:30-4:00pm, The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 will present PEDx talks, highlighting exemplary work and projects performed by members of our community. In celebration, we are sharing this excerpt from Karen Walwyn’s appearance on the Piano Inspires Podcast. Interested in hearing more from Walwyn? Register for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025…


  • Meet the Keynote Speakers

    Meet the Keynote Speakers

    The Piano Conference eagerly anticipates keynote speeches from Randall Faber, Sarah Hoover, and Stanford Thompson. Learn more about the speakers and mark this exhilarating conference on your calendar! Haven’t registered for The Piano Conference yet? Register here. Randall Faber Randall Faber has been a guest artist at universities throughout North America and Asia, including the…


  • Announcing the Frances Clark Center’s Newest Publication: Easter Monday Swagger: Scherzino for Piano by Thomas H. Kerr Jr., edited by William Chapman Nyaho and Susanna Garcia

    Announcing the Frances Clark Center’s Newest Publication: Easter Monday Swagger: Scherzino for Piano by Thomas H. Kerr Jr., edited by William Chapman Nyaho and Susanna Garcia

    In celebration of Juneteenth, The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the newest publication from Piano Education Press: Easter Monday Swagger by Thomas H. Kerr Jr., edited by William Chapman Nyaho and Susanna Garcia. Easter Monday Swagger was composed by Thomas Henderson Kerr, Jr., and was completed on Easter Monday, March 30, 1970. It…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Leila Viss

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Leila Viss

    As we get closer to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 this July, we invite you to register for our 2025 Gala, celebrating our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Outstanding Service Award recipients. The Frances Clark Center celebrates its Outstanding Service Award recipients with special re-releases of podcast episodes. Congratulations to Leila Viss for this recognition! Register by…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Spencer Myer

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Spencer Myer

    As we get closer to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 this July, we invite you to register for our conference and join us in Lombard, Illinois. Additionally, we invite you to join us at a conference Gala celebrating our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Outstanding Service Award recipients. The Frances Clark Center celebrates its Outstanding Service Award…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Scott McBride Smith

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Scott McBride Smith

    To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Scott McBride Smith, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Craig Sale. Want to learn more about Smith? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Smith on Apple…


  • 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.…


  • 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: Penelope Roskell

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Penelope Roskell

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


  • Music & Nature: Use the Winter 2025 Issue in Your Studio Today!

    Music & Nature: Use the Winter 2025 Issue in Your Studio Today!

    The Winter 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 Winter Issue. The Winter 2025 issue of Piano Inspires Kids celebrates the theme of Music & Nature, offering a wealth of activities,…


  • Announcing the Keynote Speakers, Jazz Artists, PEDx Speakers, and Concert Artists of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    Announcing the Keynote Speakers, Jazz Artists, PEDx Speakers, and Concert Artists of The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 is pleased to announce the Keynote Speakers, Jazz Artists, PEDx Speakers, and Celebration Concert Artists. See each presenter’s bio on our website and register for the conference here. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS JAZZ ARTISTS: Concert & PEDx Panel PEDx SPEAKERS CELEBRATION CONCERT ARTISTS We are pleased to offer multiple opportunities for participation…


  • 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 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 invite you…


  • Tributes to Marvin Blickenstaff

    Tributes to Marvin Blickenstaff

    We would like to thank Drew Turock, Arlene Steffen, and Catherine Kautsky for these tributes to 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…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Jess Johnson

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Jess Johnson

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


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