The Frances Clark Center has announced the recipients of its first-ever Community Impact Grants Initiative, a national program supporting innovative, community-driven projects in piano education. Funded by the Elvina Pearce Education Fund, the initiative provides grants of $500 to $2,500 to individuals and organizations whose work expands access, fosters inclusion, and strengthens community engagement through piano education. “In alignment with our mission, we are honored to partner with our community as they innovate for meaningful impact and transformative change. We recognize each of the recipients for their powerful work as they serve their students and communities through music,” said Dr. Jennifer Snow, President and CEO of The Frances Clark Center.
Among this year’s recipients is Kelly Hooper of Community Music School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, whose Free-To-Be program creates a relaxed and inclusive recital environment for neurodiverse students. With grant support, the school will purchase a projector and screen and provide neurodiversity-focused teacher training. Hooper noted that this support “allows us to get the project off the ground and give more students the opportunity to perform in an environment that works well for them.”
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Zaiba Sheikh will launch the Community Piano Lab, a summer pilot that matches early-career piano educators with at-risk youth at a local support center. Sheikh shared that she was “deeply grateful that The Frances Clark Center believes in this project,” explaining that the lab will not only give aspiring teachers mentoring experience but also “help integrate music within the support systems of our foster families.”
Raphaelita Justice, based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, is launching a free, monthly group piano program for children and adults at the public library. Designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and accessible, the program will provide keyboards, outreach support, and digital learning materials to connect with families who may not otherwise have access to music education. Justice shared that the grant “represents a chance to open the door to music education for families who may have never thought it was possible” and expressed her hope to create “a space where children and adults feel seen, supported, and inspired through music.”
In Lowell, Massachusetts, piano educator Penny Lazarus will use her grant to fund Fun Friday, an event at the International Institute of New England where young pianists will accompany refugee families in group singing and explore global musical traditions. Lazarus described the event as “a way to prove that our lives are richer because of our diversity.” She emphasized, “now is a good time to spotlight immigration resettlement programs to ensure our communities’ commitment to understanding that humanity is most beautiful when it represents a kaleidoscope of color and culture.”
Thanks to the generosity of The Frances Clark Center, the recipients of the 2025 Community Impact Grants Initiative have the resources to create lasting change in communities nationwide while advancing piano education.
“It has been an honor to lead a dedicated cohort of piano teachers, all of whom are deeply committed to advancing piano education and creating meaningful change in their communities,” said Dr. Leah Claiborne, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Frances Clark Center. “Over the past several months, we’ve brought together inspiring experts and practitioners, and now, thanks to the Community Impact Grants Initiative, educators across the country will receive funding to expand their impact through music and community engagement. This is a pivotal moment for the arts, one where investment and support can make all the difference. I’m thrilled to have guided a new initiative that not only helps communities thrive but also ensures that piano education remains a powerful force for connection, creativity, and impact.”
Join Us at The Piano Conference: NCKP Online
To learn more about these impactful projects and hear directly from the grant recipients, we invite you to attend The Piano Conference: NCKP Online on June 7-8, 2025. The Frances Clark Center will be hosting a special Community Impact Grant session during the conference, providing a national platform to showcase these educators’ important work. For details and registration, visit https://pianoinspires.com/nckp-the-piano-conference/.
Projects were selected through a national review process for their innovation, feasibility, and community impact. The Center will open its next round of Community Impact Grants Initiative applications in early 2026.
For more information, visit https://pianoinspires.com/impact-grants/.
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