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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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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.…
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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…
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This Week in Piano History: The Death of Jazz Pianist Alice Coltrane | January 12, 2007
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Alice Coltrane, who died on January 12, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Coltrane was a jazz pianist, harpist, and composer who later transformed her life as a Hindu spiritual teacher (swamini) under the name Turiya Sangitananda. Her recording and performing career spanned the second half of the twentieth…
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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…
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This Week in Piano History: The Premiere of Tchaikovsky’s Ballet “The Nutcracker” | December 18, 1892
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we celebrate the premiere of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, on December 18, 1892. Although the premiere performance of the ballet was not well received, it has become one of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved compositions. The History of The Nutcracker Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker tells the…
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More Thoughts on Creating a Singing Tone: Special Guest Q&A with Sharon How
This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Sharon How about creating a singing tone. Today, Sharon is answering those questions! We encourage you to read Sharon’s article in the Autumn 2022 issue of Piano Magazine, “Creating a Singing Tone at the Piano“, for her foundational thoughts on teaching a singing tone. Join…
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The Fundamental Responsibility of Piano Teachers | Honoring Crystal Lee
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 our secure online…
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Opportunities for African American Pianists: Awadagin Pratt on the Nina Simone Piano Competition
We’re pleased to bring you this extended interview between Awadagin Pratt and Artina McCain. Read more about Awadagin Pratt’s accomplishments as a pianist, conductor, and music education advocate in the Winter 2022-2023 issue of Piano Magazine. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe now for only $7.99/mo or $36/year. Nina Simone was an American songwriter, pianist, and…
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This Week in Piano History: Death of Ignatius Sancho | December 14, 1780
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember composer (Charles) Ignatius Sancho who died on December 14, 1780. Sancho, also an abolitionist and writer, impacted eighteenth-century British literature and culture. Sancho’s life began tragically as he was born on a slave ship headed for South America. Both of his parents died in his infancy—his mother died…
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Peer Connections: Reflections on Bridging into the Professional Life
The Frances Clark Center is excited to launch Peer Connections, a virtual gathering of young professionals to engage with relevant topics and develop a global network of peers. The first Peer Connections: Bridging into the Professional Life will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, 6:00-7:30 PM EST. Join us as professionals in our community share their experiences and…
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The Joy of Giving
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. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own…
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The Power of a Piano Teacher
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. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign. We welcome you to celebrate your own…
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Journal of Piano Research: Interview with Pamela Pike and Alejandro Cremaschi
The Co-Editors-in-Chief of Journal of Piano Research, Dr. Pamela Pike and Dr. Alejandro Cremaschi, recently answered some questions about the new Journal of Piano Research. Find out more about the journal below and go to journalofpianoresearch.org/ to learn more about this new publication! 1. Why did you decide to develop the Journal of Piano Research?…
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Recollections with Robert Weirich
We would like to thank Robert Weirich for his insightful commentary regarding his latest book, Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living. Order Recollections: A Pianist’s Essays on Teaching, Performing, and Living, by Robert Weirich NOW and enjoy a 20% off launch discount. Use code WEIRICHLAUNCH20 at checkout. Learn more and purchase here: https://pianoinspires.com/recollections-by-robert-weirich/.…
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From the Archives: How Do You Teach Students to Plan Fingering?
Quer saber mais sobre dedilhado? Inscreva-se no nosso webinar internacional gratuito, “ A dedilhação como elemento de expressividade na performance pianística” apresentado por Luis Pipa no dia 4 de novembro. Saiba mais e inscreva-se aqui: https://pianoinspires.com/webinar/11-04-23-webinar/. The following contribution from Bruce Berr appeared in an article edited by Richard Chronister titled “How Do You Teach Students…
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How do you use Piano Inspires Kids in your studio?
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. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! With the recent launch of Piano Inspires Kids, I have been looking forward to incorporating this new publication…
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Five Things You Should Know About Teaching Adults in Groups
In her Summer 2021 article “Teaching Adults in Group-Piano Settings: Facilitating the Musical Process,” Pamela Pike gave practical advice about how to teach adults in group settings. Here are five tips for working with adults in groups from her article. Read the full article at https://pianoinspires.com/article/summer-2021-teaching-adults-in-group-piano-settings-facilitating-the-musical-process/. 1. Before creating and designing group-piano classes, teachers should identify…
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Piano Inspires Kids Excerpt: Listening Guide for the 12 American Preludes by Ginastera
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. Find out more about the magazine below and go to kids.pianoinspires.com to join our community of inspired music makers! The Autumn issue of Piano Inspires Kids explores Argentina; the dances, composers, and performers that have contributed to a rich…
