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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • This Week in Piano History: Death of Dame Myra Hess | November 25, 1965

    This Week in Piano History: Death of Dame Myra Hess | November 25, 1965

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Dame Myra Hess, a British pianist who died on November 25, 1965. Hess rose to fame due to her lunchtime concerts in London during World War II and later became Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 1941 in recognition of her outstanding musical achievements. Hess was the…


  • Have at It, Kid! | Honoring Ed Turley

    Have at It, Kid! | Honoring Ed Turley

    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 this form. Together, we…


  • This Week in Piano History: Birth of Jorge Bolet | November 15, 1914

    This Week in Piano History: Birth of Jorge Bolet | November 15, 1914

    This week, we celebrate the birth of Jorge Bolet, born on November 15, 1914 in Havana, Cuba. Bolet was a Cuban-American pianist whose impressive technical and expressive powers made him a champion of the music of Franz Liszt. Bolet began his studies with his sister Maria. From a very early age, Bolet was captivated by…


  • Thoughts on Healthy Musicianship: Special Guest Q&A with Carla Salas-Ruiz

    Thoughts on Healthy Musicianship: Special Guest Q&A with Carla Salas-Ruiz

    This week we invited our followers to submit questions for Carla Salas-Ruiz about healthy musicianship. Today, Carla is answering those questions in advance of our facilitated discussion event next week (Thursday, November 17 at 11am ET) that will focus on Carla’s article in the Autumn 2022 issue of Piano Magazine, My Journey to Healthy Musicianship:…


  • Reflections on My Piano Teacher | Honoring Fern Davidson

    Reflections on My Piano Teacher | Honoring Fern Davidson

    We at the Frances Clark Center 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…


  • This Week in Piano History: Happy World Piano Day!

    This Week in Piano History: Happy World Piano Day!

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we are celebrating World Piano Day and the accomplishments of all pianists! The piano was invented over three hundred years ago by Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian builder. His ingenious design from 1700 used hammers inside the action of a harpsichord to create a wider dynamic range. Cristofori’s instrument ignited the…


  • Tips for Rote Teaching: Special Guest Q&A with Expert E.L. Lancaster

    Tips for Rote Teaching: Special Guest Q&A with Expert E.L. Lancaster

    Last year we invited our followers to submit questions for E.L. Lancaster about rote teaching to celebrate he and Kevin Olson’s new publication, From Rote to Note: Elementary Piano Pieces That Reinforce Theory and Technique. We are pleased to give these newly updated answers a permanent home on our Discovery page. We invite you to…


  • From Financial Officer to Piano Teacher | Honoring Sandra Preysz and Lenora Brown

    From Financial Officer to Piano Teacher | Honoring Sandra Preysz and Lenora Brown

    We at the Frances Clark Center 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…


  • The Power of a Piano Teacher

    The Power of a Piano Teacher

    Teaching is probably the noblest profession in the world — the most unselfish, difficult, and honorable profession. Leonard Bernstein We at the Frances Clark Center believe passionately that piano teachers change the world through their dedication to their students and communities. With the launch of our Power of a Piano Teacher campaign, we will be…


  • 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…


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