We are deeply saddened by the loss of Marvin Blickenstaff, internationally recognized pianist and pedagogue. Marvin has been a visionary, leader, mentor, colleague, teacher, supporter, friend—a true paragon–who will be profoundly missed and forever remembered. Through his tremendous career of more than six decades, Marvin wholeheartedly dedicated himself to a life of service to piano students and teachers around the world. He espoused a profound philosophy about emotional expression through piano playing while also sharing nuts-and-bolts strategies for effective teaching through his workshops and writings.
Equally at home with the beginner and the advanced pianist, he valued the human connection between teacher and student through music, believing in the potential of every student and proclaiming piano teaching as a noble calling. His legacy continues forward through the generations of students, teachers, and audiences who have been enriched by his teaching, presenting, and performing.
For The Frances Clark Center, Marvin served as Board President and Member, taught and led programming at The New School for Music Study, and served on the planning committee for The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. He wrote articles for Piano Magazine, was a column editor for Keyboard Companion, and presented and recorded numerous webinars and videos. Most recently, he authored Inspired Piano Teaching (2024) and performed a 90th Birthday Celebration Recital at Carnegie Hall (2025). He was named a Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2007, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from MTNA in 2009, and from the Frances Clark Center, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and the Outstanding Service and Leadership Award in 2025. The Marvin Blickenstaff Teaching Excellence Fund was established in 2023 to celebrate his lifelong contributions and to amplify his legacy.
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