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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • 5 Things to Discover about Hispanic Composers

    5 Things to Discover about Hispanic Composers

    1. Manuel Ponce was the earliest internationally successful Mexican composer of classical music. The Mexican composer Manuel María Ponce Cuéllar was musically active in the first half of the 20th century. The European-influenced Ponce was the earliest internationally successful Mexican composer of classical music. A prolific composer, Manuel Ponce wrote orchestral suites and symphonic poems;…


  • Marvin Blickenstaff on Tour!

    Marvin Blickenstaff on Tour!

    Over the next ten days, Marvin Blickenstaff, along with Jennifer Snow and other staff from the Frances Clark Center, will tour Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. During this tour, Marvin will present “The Power of One” as well as masterclasses in seven different cities and locations! Participants will also learn about the Frances Clark Center, its…


  • Where can I find more resources about composers from Latin America?

    Where can I find more resources about composers from Latin America?

    Latin American piano music is rich in influences, traditional dance rhythms, and unique forms, making this music exciting for students of all abilities. From September 15-October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable music and contributions of individuals with Hispanic heritage. In this Discovery Page post, we…


  • Piano Inspires Kids: An Interview with Co-Editors-in-Chief Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst

    Piano Inspires Kids: An Interview with Co-Editors-in-Chief Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst

    The Co-Editors-in-Chief of Piano Inspires Kids, Andrea McAlister and Sara Ernst, recently answered some questions about the new magazine for young pianists ages 8-14. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! Why did you start a kids magazine? Piano Inspires Kids is a…


  • 5 Ways to Provide Student-Centered Feedback

    5 Ways to Provide Student-Centered Feedback

    In his Summer 2023 article “Breaking Out of the House of Corrections,” Craig Sale gave practical advice about how to develop independent learners and motivated students. Here are five tips for providing student-centered feedback from his article. Read the full article at https://pianoinspires.com/article/breaking-out-of-the-house-of-corrections/.  1. When working on technique, provide good models and then ask students…


  • From the Archives: An Interview with James Lyke

    From the Archives: An Interview with James Lyke

    In celebration of Dr. James Lyke and his life, the Frances Clark Center is pleased to share an excerpted interview written by Ronald Chioldi and published in the May 2009 issue of Clavier Companion (Vol. 1, No. 3). Click here to read the full interview. An Interview with James Lyke When I attended Jim Lyke’s…


  • Mindfulness in the Piano Lesson: Where Do We Start?

    Mindfulness in the Piano Lesson: Where Do We Start?

    In the Summer 2023 Piano Magazine issue, Fernanda Nieto posed a question about mindfulness in the piano studio: how do we help our students deal with the stresses in piano lessons but also in everyday life? Enjoy this excerpt from her article, and consider how you can help your students manage the many stresses in…


  • Five Things You Might Not Know About Practicing the Piano

    Five Things You Might Not Know About Practicing the Piano

    We would like to thank Sheryl Iott for collaboration on this post. We encourage you to watch Sheryl’s archived webinar titled, “Music Cognition: Patterns, Predictions and Practice,” by clicking here. Want to watch, but not yet a subscriber? Subscribe now for only $7.99/mo or $36/year. 1. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Not even perfect practice! What…


  • The Consummate Role Model for Piano Teachers | Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

    The Consummate Role Model for Piano Teachers | Honoring Marvin Blickenstaff

    Join us for our first webinar of the season titled “The Life Saving Work of Teachers,” presented by Marvin Blickenstaff on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11:00am EDT. Click here to register! Naegeli van Bergen Metcalf was my first college piano teacher and a beloved mentor. She left Wesleyan College after my freshman year to…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Annie Jeng

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Annie Jeng

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


  • A Master at Work: Marvin Blickenstaff

    A Master at Work: Marvin Blickenstaff

    We would like to thank Gail Berenson for this tribute 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 communities as part of the…


  • 5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    We would like to thank Megan Hall and Curtis Pavey for this insightful article about why you should submit a proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025. The last chance to submit your proposals via our proposal submission portal is 11:59pm PDT on Monday, October 21, 2024.  1. Share your teaching practices, scholarship, and research.…


  • Recreational Music Making: 5 Discoveries We Made as RMM Teachers

    Recreational Music Making: 5 Discoveries We Made as RMM Teachers

    We would like to thank Debra Perez, Craig Sale, Rebecca Bellelo, and Emily Book McGree for their contributions to this article on Recreational Music Making. Interested to learn more about RMM? Our latest course, A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching Recreational Music Makers, is available for presale purchase. Learn more and enroll here. Use code RMMLAUNCH2024…


  • 5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025

    We would like to thank Megan Hall and Curtis Pavey for this insightful article about why you should submit a proposal to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025. The last chance to submit your proposals via our proposal submission portal is 11:59pm PDT on Monday, October 21, 2024.  1. Share your teaching practices, scholarship, and research.…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Karen Walwyn

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Karen Walwyn

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


  • Piano Inspires Kids: A Look Inside the Autumn Issue

    Piano Inspires Kids: A Look Inside the Autumn Issue

    Exploring the piano through improvisation unlocks endless creativity, and the Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids equips young pianists with exciting new tools to ignite their musical imagination. In addition to the print magazine, students can explore additional activities on our website to get their creative juices flowing. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to…


  • Piano Inspires Podcast: Tim Topham

    Piano Inspires Podcast: Tim Topham

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


  • Improvising with Piano Inspires Kids: Use the Autumn 2024 Issue in Your Studio Today!

    Improvising with Piano Inspires Kids: Use the Autumn 2024 Issue in Your Studio Today!

    Exploring the piano through improvisation unlocks endless creativity, and the Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids equips young pianists with exciting new tools to ignite their musical imagination. In addition to the print magazine, students can explore additional activities on our website to get their creative juices flowing. Below are excerpts from our new teacher…


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