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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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Piano Inspires Podcast: Season 3 Launches September 24!
We are excited to announce our third season of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or our website! The Piano Inspires Podcast is back for an extraordinary third season, launching September 24, 2025! Each week, we invite you into candid, inspiring conversations with…
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Announcing Autumn 2025 Piano Inspires Kids: Time Travel Through the ‘25s!
The Autumn 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 Autumn Issue. We’re thrilled to announce the release of the Autumn 2025 issue of Piano Inspires Kids—our most imaginative adventure yet!…
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Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund
We would like to thank Regina McAllen, Jean Parsons, Terri Hlubek, and Marianne and Peter Lauffer for tributes shared here with this announcement of the Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund. Phyllis’ legacy as a teacher, mentor, pianist, and colleague is unquestionable. We are honored to celebrate her work through the creation of this…
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This Month in Piano History – September 2025
This month, we celebrate landmark recordings of pop hits and spirituals, and we remember a pioneering composer for prepared piano and a vibrant singer whose influence extends to the piano community. September 4, 1962 The Beatles made their first studio recordings with Ringo Starr at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The band recorded some of their…
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Featured Videos from The Frances Clark Center
Subscribers to Piano Inspires have access to eight video series featuring performances and teaching demonstrations from the piano community. To learn more about these video series and to get a sneak peek into a few of these series, keep reading! Not a subscriber? Subscribe now to watch these inspiring and informative videos! From the Artist Bench…
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Peer Connections and Collegiate Connections 2025-26
Thank you to Yeeseon Kwon, Director of Institutional Engagement at The Frances Clark Center of Piano Pedagogy, for this insightful article on the year ahead for the Peer Connections and Collegiate Connections programs. Interested in attending a Peer Connections event? Register for our first event on October 10, 2025 at 11:00 am Eastern by clicking…
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What’s New at The New School for Music Study: 2025–2026 Season
We would like to thank Carla Salas-Ruiz for this insightful article on The New School for Music Study’s upcoming events and offerings this year. Learn more about the NSMS by clicking here. 4) Special Community and Student Events Our 65th anniversary year is filled with opportunities for students, families, and the community to gather, share,…
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Back-to-School Sale 2025
Celebrate the beginning of the school year with our sitewide sale at PianoInspires.com! For a limited time, enjoy 20% off everything—from inspiring books and resources to exclusive merchandise and more. Don’t miss this chance to stock up on your favorites and discover something new, all at a special discounted price. Shop now and let your musical journey…
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This Month in Piano History – August 2025
The month of August is a time of beginnings as a new academic year begins—children go back to school, and piano studios fill with new students eager to play. Read below to discover more about piano history in the month of August including the birth of two important composers, the completion of a major symphonic…
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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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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…
