Leah Claiborne at NCKP 2027 | The Piano Conference

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Meet the Artist

We are excited to welcome Leah Claiborne to The Piano Conference: NCKP 2027, performing and speaking live at our in-person Summit and Conference. Leah Claiborne, D.M.A., is an acclaimed pianist, educator, and Yamaha Artist dedicated to diversifying classical music through performance, research, and advocacy.

Connections

Leah Claibornes serves as Tenured Associate Professor and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at the University of the District of Columbia. Dr. Claiborne’s work reflects a growing commitment to expanding the piano repertoire and ensuring that teachers and students encounter a wider range of composers and musical voices. An authority on piano literature, Dr. Claiborne authored Expanding the Repertoire: Piano Music by Black Composers (Hal Leonard), winner of the 2024 Best Piano Education Founder’s Award celebrated at Royal Albert Hall. 

Across her entrepreneurial, performance, and scholarly work, she is helping expand the visibility of Black voices and perspectives within classical music. She founded Ebony Music Inc., which created the historic MTNA Ebony Prize and earned the 2024 Sphinx Venture Fund. Her album Arise and Shine was featured on BBC Radio, and her scholarship includes forthcoming works with Oxford and Cambridge University Presses.

Her work as a keynote speaker, clinician, and performer has brought her expertise to audiences across the country, contributing to conversations around piano performance, pedagogy, and the evolving repertoire. A highly sought-after keynote speaker, clinician, and performer, Dr. Claiborne has presented at elite institutions nationwide, including the Curtis Institute of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and Manhattan School of Music.

“NCKP is always a highlight of my summer—a space where loving hearts gather to share the transformative power of music teaching. Every year, I walk away re-energized, with an expanded musical family and deep, meaningful connections that last long after the conference ends” — Leah Claiborne

Leah Claiborne previously served as The Frances Clark Center’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and continues to contribute to the Center’s work as a Senior Program Advisor. At the Center, Claiborne spearheaded the 2025 and 2026 Community Impact Grants Initiative, which has funded projects across the United States to improve access and representation within the piano education community.

In addition to these impactful contributions, Dr. Claiborne has been a leading author and key contributor to numerous publications and courses. She has led two courses at the Center: “Piano Teaching Through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” and “Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now.” Other important contributions include her webinar “Music by Black Composers from Outside the USA,” and a magazine article on diversifying your piano studio. Explore her work with Piano Inspires in the links below!

Piano Magazine

Looking Ahead

We look forward to an incredible PEDx talk and dynamic performance from Leah Claiborne. Join us at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2027! 

Registration

Register for The Piano Conference: NCKP 2027!

June 11–13, 2027: International Online Event

July 28–31, 2027: In-Person Summit & Conference in Lombard IL

All registrants also receive access to pianoinspires.com, the premier source for professional pianists, teachers, and enthusiasts. Enjoy hundreds of inspiring videos, webinar archives, and over 1,500 peer-reviewed articles.

Already a subscriber? Click the button above and log in to redeem your discounted registration!

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