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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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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…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Courtney Crappell
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Courtney Crappell, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of his conversation with Jennifer Snow. Want to learn more about Crappell? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Crappell on Apple Podcasts,…
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This Month in Piano History – February 2025
February is a month of reflection and celebration as we observe Black History Month and Valentine’s Day. It is also a time of remembrance and commemoration as we recall many important composers and pianists. Read below to discover more about a famous pianist and showman, the lives of two different composers, and a celebrated American…
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Celebrate the Power of a Piano Lesson This Valentine’s Day
Music has the power to transform lives, and it all starts with a single lesson. This Valentine’s Day, show your love for music and the teachers who make it possible by donating the value of one piano lesson to the Power of a Piano Lesson campaign. At The Frances Clark Center, we believe in the…
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Piano Inspires Podcast: Barbara Fast
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Barbara Fast, we are sharing an excerpted transcript of her conversation with Pamela Pike. Want to learn more about Fast? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Fast on Apple Podcasts,…
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Publications Launch Party: Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers
Webinar with Connor Chee and Renata Yazzie Weaving Sounds is a collection of beginner piano repertoire written by the vibrant and diverse voices of Native and Indigenous composers from the Diné, Mohawk, Anishinaabe, Cree, Blackfoot, Jicarilla Apache, Choctaw, and Mohican communities. Each piece is a unique expression of the composers’ cultural roots and personal artistry,…
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The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 Innovation Summit: Designing the Future of Piano Education
Join us for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 as we gather together in person and online. The Piano Conference seeks to explore the challenges and opportunities facing our international community at this inflection point for the profession. Full conference registration includes four days of engagement, including the summit, concerts, keynotes, PEDx presentations, and more, as…
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E-Posters: Why You Should Submit and Tips for Success
With gratitude we welcome one of our NCKP 2021: The Piano Conference Research E-Poster Award Winners, Robin S. Heinsen, to our Discovery Page. Heinsen is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Miami University, and provides helpful insights based on her experience as an NCKP poster presenter. We invite you to submit e-posters, teaching demonstrations, performance…
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Celebrating Black History Month
From February 1-28, we celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable music and contributions of Black people. In this Discovery Page post, we have curated a collection of Piano Inspires resources to help everyone discover something new. From our international webinar series, to articles in Piano Magazine and Piano…
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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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Every Student Has a Voice the World Needs to Hear | Honoring Carole Ann Kriewaldt
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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Five Things You Might Not Know About Lita Spena
We would like to thank Florencia Zuloaga for collaboration on this post. We encourage you to watch Florencia Zuloaga’s archived webinar here: “Compositores Mujeres de latinoamerica y la península ibérica“ in Spanish with Ester Vela and Gabriela Calderon Cornjego. 1. Lita Spena (1904-1989) was a student of acclaimed Italian piano pedagogue Vicenzo Scaramuzza. Vincenzo Scaramuzza…
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This Week in Piano History: Premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F | December 3, 1925
THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY we celebrate the premiere of Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F on December 3, 1925 in New York’s Carnegie Hall with Gershwin at the piano. After the success of his Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin set out to prove to the classical musical world that he could handle a traditional classical form…
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Utilizing Improvisation and Percussion Activities in the Piano Lesson: Special Guest Q&A with Jason Sifford
This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Jason Sifford about utilizing improvisation and percussion activities in the piano lesson. Today, Jason is answering those questions in advance of our creative music making webinar, “Incorporating Improvisation, Composition, and Non-Traditional Instruments in Piano Lessons” with Jason and his co-presenters Grace Huang and Kevin Woosley.…
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Book Review: Every Good Boy Does Fine by Jeremy Denk
Book reviews in each issue of the Piano Magazine provide readers with a sneak peek inside the latest publications on piano teaching, performing, and learning. The Autumn 2022 Piano Magazine review of Every Good Boy Does Fine by Jeremy Denk will have you running to your local bookstore to buy a copy. Fans of Denk…
