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Piano Inspires Discovery

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

  • The Joy of Giving

    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…


  • The Power of a Piano Teacher

    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…


  • Journal of Piano Research: Interview with Pamela Pike and Alejandro Cremaschi

    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?…


  • Recollections with Robert Weirich

    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/.…


  • From the Archives: How Do You Teach Students to Plan Fingering?

    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…


  • How do you use Piano Inspires Kids in your studio?

    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…


  • Five Things You Should Know About Teaching Adults in Groups

    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…


  • Piano Inspires Kids Excerpt: Listening Guide for the 12 American Preludes by Ginastera

    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…


  • Three Common Questions Asked by Teacher/Facilitators Concerning Adult Piano Learners

    Three Common Questions Asked by Teacher/Facilitators Concerning Adult Piano Learners

    We would like to thank Jackie Edwards-Henry for this insightful article on teaching adults. Want to learn more about adult teaching? Register for the free webinar, “It’s Never Too Late: Lived Experiences of Adult Piano Learners” presented by Pei-Chen Chen and Elizabeth Haddon, hosted by Alejandro Cremaschi on October 25. Learn more and register here:…


  • Bach Meets with the King!

    Bach Meets with the King!

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Bach met King Frederick the Great of Prussia on May 7, 1747. During this visit, Frederick the Great inspired one of Bach’s most important final works, his Musical Offering, BWV 1079. Bach arrived in Potsdam on May 7, 1747 at the court of Frederick the Great. Bach’s son, Carl Philipp…


  • A Quick Look at Technology: What Pianists Should Know

    A Quick Look at Technology: What Pianists Should Know

    Special thanks to the Stella Sick, chair of the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Technology committee, for this post. Why is technology important for pianists today? The last three years have expanded everyone’s base-level of technology usage. This newly found familiarity opened doors to immersive music experiences, exciting collaborations, reaching new audiences, and expanding repertoire.…


  • A Quick Look at Teaching Young Musicians: What Pianists Should Know

    A Quick Look at Teaching Young Musicians: What Pianists Should Know

    Special thanks to the Janet Tschida, chair of the NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference Young Musicians: Birth to Age 9 committee for this post. Why is working with young musicians important for pianists today? The Young Musicians Track’s theme of “Learning Music from the Inside Out” endeavors to support teachers aspiring to implement an aural/experiential…


  • Blending East and West: Ma Shui-Long

    Blending East and West: Ma Shui-Long

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, we remember Taiwanese composer Ma Shui-Long who died on May 2, 2015 at the age of 75. A composer of a wide oeuvre of works, Ma is known for his efforts to blend Eastern and Western compositional traditions. Ma Shui-Long, born on July 17, 1939, grew up in Ji-long and…


  • Five Ways to Improve Your Website

    Five Ways to Improve Your Website

    Don’t miss Clinton Pratt’s presentation at NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference, From Solo to School, on July 26, 2023 from 1:30-2:20PM. Register for NCKP 2023 before May 1, 2023 to receive the early bird discount! 1. Have a clear call-to-action. Don’t confuse prospective clients with too many things to do. Should they call you? Email…


  • An Inspirational Force of Nature | Honoring Michelle Conda

    An Inspirational Force of Nature | Honoring Michelle Conda

    Michelle Conda is a recipient of the 2023 Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award. Her extensive contributions to the field of piano pedagogy are extraordinary and exemplify outstanding dedication to the field of music and piano teaching. The Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor and is presented on behalf of the…


  • A Quick Look at Creative Music Making: What Pianists Should Know

    A Quick Look at Creative Music Making: What Pianists Should Know

    Special thanks to the Bradley Sowash, member of the NCKP 2023 Creative Music Making committee, for this post. Why is creative music making an important topic for pianists today? Today’s students benefit from instruction in reading and generating music. Why? Because students that read well, play by ear, and/or create music can play a wider…


  • Für Elise: Beethoven’s Infamous Composition

    Für Elise: Beethoven’s Infamous Composition

    THIS WEEK IN PIANO HISTORY, Beethoven composed his infamous bagatelle Für Elise WoO 59 on April 27, 1810. The short piece is built around a recurring theme that is unceasingly popular with pianists of all ages. One of the central questions regarding this piece is to whom it was written. Scholarship remains unclear about the…


  • A Quick Look at Independent Music Teaching: What Pianists Should Know

    A Quick Look at Independent Music Teaching: What Pianists Should Know

    Special thanks to Jason Sifford, chair of the NCKP 2023 Independent Music Teaching committee, for this post. Why is independent teaching important for pianists today? Today’s emerging professionals and young parents are the first to be born in the 2000’s. This generation enters a world unlike any before, and understanding and embracing the unique challenges…


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