Celebrating 25 years
In-Person Conference July 26-29 | Online Event June 9-11
NCKP 2023: The Piano Conference
Share. Engage. Inspire.
2023 Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Frances Clark Center recognizes Michelle Conda and George Litterst as recipients of the 2023 Frances Clark Center Lifetime Achievement Award. Their extensive contributions to the field of piano pedagogy are extraordinary. Their influence and impact on the profession are demonstrated across the country and internationally, exemplifying 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 Frances Clark Center to individuals who have made substantial and enduring contributions to the field of piano pedagogy and to the work of the Center. It was previously named National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy Lifetime Achievement Award.
At NCKP 2023, join us for a Gala champagne reception and awards ceremony on Friday, July 28 from 6-8:30pm to celebrate our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winners.
2023 Recipient Biographies
Michelle Conda
Dr. Michelle Conda is Head of Keyboard Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She is also chair of the Secondary Piano and Piano Pedagogy Departments. She is one of the founders of the National Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy Forum. Her most current research is in microaggression and the field of andragogy.
“I am honored by being selected for this prestigious award. Thank you for this humbling recognition of my life as a pedagogue. I am so proud of the new pedagogues who are leading us into tomorrow. Because of them our field will survive. To quote myself from many years ago, we have a moral obligation to teach everyone. Music is not a disposable item. Music is always. And when you get discouraged, do what my son says– ‘smile and keep driving.'”
– Michelle Conda
George Litterst
George Frederick Litterst is a well known music educator. A frequent clinician at national music educator conferences, he is an author, performer, and music software developer. A classically-trained pianist, he presents multimedia performances on technology-equipped acoustic pianos. For many years, he was an associate editor for Clavier Companion and is currently co-author of the Tech Connect column for American Music Teacher. As a music software developer, he is co-author of the intelligent music display app SuperScore, the score-following app Home Concert Xtreme, the intelligent music blackboard Classroom Maestro, and the long distance teaching and performing app Internet MIDI—all published by TimeWarp Technologies.
“Early in my teaching career, I became acquainted with the work and philosophy of Frances Clark through the methods and workshops of her proteges. In 2001 and with great enthusiasm, I accepted the opportunity to contribute to her legacy and to the Frances Clark Center by serving as chair of the NCKP Technology Committee. To find myself now honored by this organization 22 years later is a humbling experience indeed!”
– George Litterst
View past award recipients on our Archives page.