In this issue
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Creating a More Beautiful World: Marvin Blickenstaff 1935-2026
Photo: Marvin and Jennifer Snow at the Inspired Piano Teaching book launch There are visionary leaders who inspire the world, motivate us to be better humans,…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Marvin Blickenstaff: A Life Dedicated in Service to Piano Education
MARVIN BLICKENSTAFF (1935–2026) had so much to give throughout his lifetime—and he gave of it freely—to everyone. Many of us have heard his heartfelt stories, and…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
In Memoriam: Marvin Blickenstaff
Pianists who heard Marvin present workshops, watched him teach, or interacted with him as students or colleagues, were forever changed. Marvin inspired all of us to…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Spring 2026: Editor’s Letter
Much has been written about mentorship in the realm of music education. Years of practice and carefully researched studies have shown that would-be music educators meet…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
The Hidden Voices of Brazilian Women Composers
In the ever-evolving tapestry of Brazilian history, the echoes of colonialism left an indelible mark on its society and culture. During the span of over three…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Mind, Body, & Heart: Three Steps to Mindful Music-Making
The first time I meditated, it felt like my brain was on fire. I had no idea how busy my mind was. Jammed with worries and…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Reimagining Summer Practice: How Community-Based Recitals Inspire Musical Growth
Sustaining student motivation and musical growth during the summer months remains a persistent challenge in music education. This article explores an interdisciplinary model for summer music…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Spring 2026: Questions & Answers
“If there is one thing that is at the heart of my teaching, it is to emphasize the beauty and the expressivity of musical sound… it…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Book Review: Accompaniment in America: Contextualizing Collaborative Piano by Chandra VanderHart with (contributions from) Kathleen Kelly and Elvia Puccinelli
“Piano accompaniment, or collaborative piano, is an invisibilized force driving classical music.”1 Thus declares the bold (and true!) opening sentence, highlighting the essential nature of this…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Pupil Saver: “Nighttime in Havana!” from Explorations in Artistry by Mike Springer | A Great Introduction to Latin Jazz!
You know the kid—middle school, messy backpack, wears shorts when it’s 20 degrees outside and wants to play the third movement of the “Moonlight” sonata but…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Gradus ad Parnassum: Climbing to Debussy through Educational Repertoire
As students progress to intermediate repertoire and start to explore piano literature on their own, teachers can expect requests to study two of Claude Debussy’s (1862–1918)…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy Board of Trustees Resolution
At its meeting on December 12, 2025, the Board of Trustees of The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy unanimously and enthusiastically voted in favor of…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Spring 2026: New Music & Materials
BEGINNING: Five-finger patterns & simple rhythms 1 EASY: Scales & simple syncopation 2 INTERMEDIATE: Beginning counterpoint & complex rhythms, Bach notebooks, Bartók Mikrokosmos I–II 3 LATE-INTERMEDIATE:…
Spring 2026; Vol. 18, No. 1
Spring 2026: Recording Reviews
The three neglected works on this superb recording feature lush Romanticism and sparkling pianistic virtuosity. Carl Reinecke (1824–1910) and Emil von Sauer (1862–1942) were deservedly renowned…