News - Page 19 - Piano Inspires

Haciendo Música para todos Resúmenes para el volumen 14, No. 1

Written By Piano Inspires

Translations by Luis Sanchez

PM-Spring-2022-Abstracts.SPANISH Download

Create to Motivate: Using Repertoire to Incorporate Creativity in Lessons – By Chee-Hwa Tan

Crear para motivar: uso del repertorio para incorporar la creatividad en las lecciones – Por Chee-Hwa Tan, pág. 26

La capacidad de experimentar y crear con nuestro instrumento es una parte importante del estudio del piano. La inclusión de actividades creativas como entrenamiento auditivo, improvisación, transposición, composición musical y análisis dentro del tiempo de la lección puede crear un desafío logístico para los maestros. Este artículo explora cómo se pueden utilizar las asignaciones de repertorio para integrar la experimentación y la creatividad en las lecciones de piano. El tema se aborda a través de la filosofía de la enseñanza, la selección del repertorio, los principios básicos y ejemplos prácticos. Este enfoque se puede utilizar durante los veranos, varias veces al año, cada dos meses o con piezas alternativas.

Gabriela Montero: From Advocacy to Artistry—An Interview with Luis Sanchez

Gabriela Montero: De la abogacía al arte: una entrevista con Luis Sánchez, pág. 8

Nacida en Venezuela, Gabriela Montero ha actuado con muchas de las principales orquestas del mundo y ha tocado recitales en lugares de renombre internacional. Sus numerosos premios incluyen premios en el Concurso Chopin y el Premio Internacional Beethoven. Sin embargo, su trabajo e impacto no se limitan a los grandes escenarios del mundo o al estudio de grabación. Una comprometida defensora de los derechos humanos, Montero fue nombrada Cónsul Honoraria por Amnistía Internacional en 2015, y la Fundación de Derechos Humanos la honró con un premio al Trabajo Sobresaliente en el Campo de los Derechos Humanos por su compromiso continuo con la defensa de los derechos humanos en Venezuela. Luis Sánchez habló con Montero sobre su trayectoria profesional, su activismo social y sus consejos para jóvenes músicos.

The Gilmore International Piano Festival: An Engine for Creative Activity – By Pamela D. Pike

El Gilmore International Piano Festival: un motor para la actividad creativa – Por Pamela D. Pike, pág. 19

El Gilmore International Piano Festival, en Kalamazoo, Michigan, influye tanto a los pianistas profesionales como en los aficionados a través de su promoción de pianistas de clase mundial. El festival de varias semanas se lleva a cabo cada dos años. Además, el Gilmore identifica y apoya a Gilmore Artists y Young Artists, brinda programas de educación de piano para músicos de todas las edades en la región y garantiza que se comisione e interprete regularmente nueva música para teclado. A modo de celebración del Gilmore International Piano Festival 2022, este artículo explora las múltiples facetas del festival y cómo el trabajo impacta la comunidad.

The Seven Types of Rest: Strategies for Recovery – By Paola Savvidou

Los Siete Tipos de Descanso: Estrategias para la Recuperación – Por Paola Savvidou, pág. 44

Este artículo invita a los lectores a imaginar una vida cotidiana en la que hacemos tiempo para el descanso. El descanso nos permite dejar de “hacer” y simplemente “ser”. A través del descanso físico, los descansos mentales, el descanso sensorial, el descanso creativo, el descanso emocional, el descanso social y el descanso espiritual, los lectores pueden explorar formas de enseñar y crear desde un lugar de descanso, en lugar de agotamiento.

Undefined by Hearing Loss: My Career in Music – By Cherisse W. Miller

Indefinido por pérdida auditiva: mi carrera en la música – Por Cherisse W. Miller, pág. 37

Poder escuchar nos ayuda a sentirnos incluidos en conversaciones y sonidos compartidos. Cuando perdemos parte de nuestra audición, el sonido disminuye o incluso se elimina por completo, lo que compromete la forma en que entendemos el mundo que nos rodea. Con buena actitud y determinación, uno puede aprender a vivir con pérdida auditiva e incluso tener una carrera exitosa en la música. En este artículo, la autora explora su experiencia con la pérdida auditiva y brinda información sobre las formas en que los maestros pueden ayudar a las personas con pérdida auditiva a participar en la creación y el aprendizaje de la música.

Celebrating a New Year of Piano Study: Ideas for Teaching and Learning Abstracts for Volume 13, No. 3

Written By Piano Inspires

PM-Fall-2021-Abstracts-ENGLISH Download

Burning Brightly without Burning Out – By Brenda Wristen, p. 51

Burnout has been implicated as the biggest occupational hazard of the 21st Summary: century, and piano teachers may be especially susceptible. This article discusses the factors contributing to burnout in relation to job demands of both institutional and independent piano teachers, suggesting strategies for preventing or recovering from burnout through positive job engagement.

Play the Octaves with Two Hands – By Michael Clark, p. 18

Some pianists believe that redistributing notes between the hands violates the composer’s intent and should be avoided. But what if composers themselves engaged in this practice? Written markings in students’ scores and recorded comments from lessons reveal that both Chopin and Liszt occasionally advised redistributing notes between the hands in their own compositions to solve technical and music problems including avoiding wide stretches, facilitating leaps, and improving control of sound and articulation. These documented occurrences of Chopin’s and Liszt’s redistributions suggest that such alternatives were uncontroversial in the nineteenth century and argue for the continued acceptance of the practice today.

Positive Recitals for Young Students: Setting the Stage for Success – By Diane Briscoe, p. 38

A piano recital can be magical: an impressive venue with an elegant grand piano; well-dressed children and tasteful decorations; polished, musical performances; a beautiful reception with delicious refreshments; happy, excited children, beaming parents and a proud teacher. This is what many music teachers desire for all their students. In a studio, however, there may be some young pianists and parents who find formal solo recitals distressing and fear that the audience will judge them unfavorably. This article will suggest ways in which the teacher can set up the recital environment to help create a more a positive and successful experience.

Reclaiming an Alternative History: New Piano Music of Florence Price – By Asher Armstrong, p. 8

Florence Price is one of America’s most important and significant composers of the past century. The ongoing renaissance involved in reclaiming and rediscovering her large output for piano solo is only just beginning. With the very recent publication of a large number of these works, students and pianists are beginning to learn what a huge part of “the repertoire” they have been missing out on. This article scratches the surface of some of this newly minted repertoire, looking at such selections as Price’s Preludes, Impromptu, Songs Without Words, lullaby, and many others.

When the Well Is Dry: Reigniting the Spark for Teaching – By Amy Boyes, p. 45

Music teachers may feel exhausted and burned-out by the end of the year, especially after the Covid Pandemic challenged traditional teaching practices. This article outlines practical steps for teachers to reignite the emotional involvement needed for effective, empathic teaching.

Where do we Begin – By Moegi Amano, p. 33

What are the concrete steps to learn a new piece successfully, which emphasizes the importance of musicality and expressive playing? In a piece of music, there are numerous elements, including the title, the images, and the notes that indicate rhythm and pitch. All these elements work together to create the piece, so which one do we prioritize and focus on first? Teaching a new piece may be overwhelming and you may not know where to begin. This article will explore the preparatory steps to take before playing a new piece so that the student can effectively learn the piece.

Guiding Intermediate Pianists Abstracts for Volume 13, No. 3

Written By Piano Inspires

PM-Winter-2021-2022-Abstracts-ENGLISH Download

A Hummel Treasure Hunt – By Joanne Haroutounian, p. 39

This article describes the personal journey to research a piano concertino by Johann Nepomuk Hummel during the 1980s before internet conveniences. From initially hearing the music on a clock radio, the author searched the Library of Congress and the British Library to locate the Piano Concertino, opus 73. In the process, she discovered Hummel’s major pedagogical treatise that included comprehensive information about how to teach piano in the 1800s. The volume also included a treasure trove of charming intermediate level pieces that were not readily available. Her research led to the publication of both the concertino and the piano miniatures.

Cécile Chaminade’s Album des Enfants: A Treasure-trove of Teaching Pieces for the Intermediate Pianist – By Adrienne Wiley, p. 33

It is unfortunate that Chaminade’s piano music has literally been swept under the proverbial carpet. She, among other female composers, provided a wealth of compositions for the budding pianist: her music is pedagogically sound, musical, technically appropriate, and quite frankly: quite inviting in sound and style. Her compositional output for the piano numbers over 200 pieces. This article will address the works found in her Album des Enfants, books 1 and 2.

Practicing Alongside our Intermediate Students – By Sara Ernst, p. 11

After fundamental habits are established during elementary study, the intermediate years become a time period for acquiring a toolbox of practice techniques. Ideally, the weekly piano assignment provides the intermediate pianist with a balanced practice outline that includes warmups, music for personal enjoyment, repertoire in the learning stages, and repertoire that is being polished for performance. Preparation for practice at home occurs during the piano lesson, such that the teacher guides practice in every lesson and frequently asks the student to demonstrate specific strategies. Through the use of key pedagogical approaches, teachers can lead their students to greater independence and readiness for performance.

Teaching Contemporary Piano Techniques to Intermediate Piano Students with Alexina Louie’s Star Light, Star Bright – By Lynn Worcester Jones, p. 17

Introducing intermediate piano students to twentieth- and twenty-first-century compositional techniques and styles is essential, especially as we move from Gen Z students to those in Generation Alpha (born in the early 2010s). These techniques encourage students to develop greater rhythmic control, perceive their sound differently, explore new freedoms, and build their inner conductor as they absorb the importance of rhythmic values and new approaches to time and space. This article offers pedagogical advice on teaching these techniques with Alexina Louie’s Star Light, Star Bright—a musically rich, celestial set of nine pedagogical solo piano pieces tailored for this purpose.

The Legacy of Frances Larimer – By Yeeseon Kwon, Gayle Kowalchyk, and E. L. Lancaster, p. 46

When Frances Larimer passed away on October 21, 2021, the American piano pedagogy community lost a trail blazer in the field of group piano, piano pedagogy, and piano teacher training. Three former students and pedagogy influencers reflect on Larimer’s life, program development at Northwestern University, and mentorship which extended far and leaves a lasting legacy in our field.

The Legacy of Miriam Hyde – By Jerry Wong, p. 25

Miriam Hyde (1913-2005) was a towering figure in the musical life of Australia for decades. Composer, pianist, educator, and frequent adjudicator, she distinguished herself in all areas of her artistic life. Following studies abroad at the Royal College of Music in London, she returned to Australia and unleashed a significant compositional output that was frequently tied to the syllabus of the Australian Music Examinations Board. Her works range from sight reading materials to concert works and an investigation into the compositional style reveals equal levels of expressivity and pedagogical intent.

Music Making for All Abstracts for Volume 14, No. 1

Written By Piano Inspires

PM-Spring-2022-Abstracts-ENGLISH Download

Create to Motivate: Using Repertoire to Incorporate Creativity in Lessons – By Chee-Hwa Tan, p. 26

The ability to experiment and create with our instrument is an important part of piano study. Yet including creative activities like ear training, improvisation, transposition, musical composition, and analysis within the lesson time can create a logistical challenge for teachers. This article explores how repertoire assignments can be used to integrate experimentation and creation into piano lessons. The topic is addressed through teaching philosophy, repertoire selection, basic principles, and practical examples. This approach can be utilized during summers, several times a year, every other month, or with alternating pieces.

Gabriela Montero: From Advocacy to Artistry—An Interview with Luis Sanchez, p. 8

Born in Venezuela, Gabriela Montero has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and has appeared as a recitalist at internationally renowned venues. Her many awards include prizes at the Chopin Competition and the International Beethoven Award. However, her work and impact are not limited to the big stages of the world or the recording studio. A committed human rights advocate, Ms. Montero was named an Honorary Consul by Amnesty International in 2015, and the Human Rights Foundation honored her with an Outstanding Work in the Field of Human Rights award for her ongoing commitment to human rights advocacy in Venezuela. Luis Sanchez spoke with Montero about her career path, her advocacy, and her advice for aspiring musicians.

The Gilmore International Piano Festival: An Engine for Creative Activity, p. 19

The Gilmore International Piano Festival, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, influences professional pianists and amateurs alike through its promotion and development of world-class, inspiring keyboard experiences. The multi-week festival is held biennially but The Gilmore also identifies and supports Gilmore Artists and Young Artists, provides piano education programs for budding musicians of all ages in the region, and ensures that new keyboard music is commissioned and performed regularly. In celebration of the 2022 Gilmore International Piano Festival, this article explores the many facets of The Gilmore and how the work impacts the community.

The Seven Types of Rest: Strategies for Recovery – By Paola Savvidou, p. 44

This article invites readers to imagine a daily life in which we make time for rest. Rest allows us to stop “doing” and simply “be.” Through physical rest, mental breaks, sensory rest, creative rest, emotional rest, social rest, and spiritual rest, readers can explore ways to teach and create from a place of rest, rather than exhaustion.

Undefined by Hearing Loss: My Career in Music – By Cherisse W. Miller, p. 37

Being able to hear helps us feel included in conversations and shared sounds. When we lose some of our hearing, sound is diminished or even eliminated completely, compromising the way we understand the world around us. With a good attitude and determination, one can learn to live with hearing loss and even have a successful career in music. In this article, the author explores her experience with hearing loss and provides insight into ways that teachers can help those with hearing loss to engage in music making and learning.

Rethinking disABILITIES and Music Education

Written By Piano Inspires

The Frances Clark Center invites you to enjoy this featured content as part of our mission to celebrate and honor inspiring members of our community. Please consider supporting our continuing goals with a subscription, a donation, or simply by sharing links to this and other content that inspires you!

Bryann Burgess. Recorded at the 2019 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. July 25, 2019.

Frances Clark Center Hires Director of Digital Operations

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

16 DECEMBER 2019

Frances Clark Center Hires Director of Digital Operations

The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce Shana Kirk as the new Director of Digital Operations, effective December 1, 2019. Shana is a teacher, pianist, arts advocate, and music industry consultant with extensive expertise in the technologies associated with music performance and education. A longtime supporter of the Frances Clark Center’s mission, Shana first wrote for Keyboard Companion in the 1990s, and has been an ongoing contributor for Center publications. Since 2007, she has served as a member of the NCKP Technology Committee, spearheading topics including distance learning, digital ensembles, iPad integration, studio business technologies, and more. Shana is frequently featured on event programs for organizations throughout the US and Canada, including Music Teachers National Association, College Music Society, Association for Technology in Music Instruction, World Piano Pedagogy Conference, The Royal Conservatory, The Canadian Music Teachers’ Association, Music Ed Connect, and numerous regional and state events. She writes music and music-technology based reviews and articles for blogs, websites, and print publications. She has also contributed to individual projects at the convergence of technology and pedagogy, including museum exhibits, multimedia installations, festivals, classroom designs, distance-learning studios, retail spaces, websites, recording studios, and more.

“As a leader in the field, Shana brings extensive experience in digital innovation and education. Her leadership will support the advancement of the Center through current and new technologies.” said Dr. Jennifer Snow, Executive Director and CEO for the Frances Clark Center.

As Director of Digital Operations for the Frances Clark Center, Shana will lead all areas of digital operations and advancement for the Center including the internationally recognized publication the Piano Magazine, Teacher Education Webinars, teaching repertoire series Inspiring Artistry and From the Artist Bench, online Teacher Education Courses, and new initiatives.

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, a not-for-profit educational institution (501c3) located in Kingston, New Jersey, serves pianists and teachers through its divisions: The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Piano Magazine, Teacher Education, and The New School for Music Study.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Frances Clark Center Hires Director of Teacher Engagement

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

15 NOVEMBER 2019

Frances Clark Center Hires Director of Teacher Engagement

The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce Dr. Sara Ernst as the new Director of Teacher Engagement, effective November 1, 2019. Dr. Ernst, NCTM, is Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina where she teaches piano pedagogy and piano. She is currently President of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association and most recently led the creation of the Frances Clark Center’s first online teacher education initiative, The Beginner Course. She also served on the NCKP 2019 National Program Committee, has published articles and reviews in Piano Magazine, and formerly led the New School for Music Study as its Administrative Director.

“We are delighted to welcome Sara to the Center in this pivotal leadership role. She brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, experience, and creativity to the many exciting projects ahead dedicated to the advancement of the professional field,” said Dr. Jennifer Snow, Executive Director and CEO for the Frances Clark Center.

In this position, Sara will lead the programming for NCKP 2021, development of pedagogy programs at the New School for Music Study, and national and international initiatives to advance piano teaching and learning.

Teacher Education at the Frances Clark Center includes both digital and community resources and programs. The internationally recognized publication Piano Magazine, reference books, Teacher Education Webinars, educational videos, teaching repertoire series Inspiring Artistry and From the Artist Bench, and online Teacher Education Courses offer global access to high-quality resources. NCKP and extensive practicums, coursework, summer intensives, and fellowships at the New School for Music Study provide in-person professional education opportunities and certifications.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Dr. E.L. Lancaster and Dr. Jane Magrath selected to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2019 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

09 NOVEMBER 2018

The Frances Clark Center extends its congratulations to Dr. E.L. Lancaster and Dr. Jane Magrath the 2019 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. As NCKP’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented on behalf of the Frances Clark Center to individuals who have made substantial and enduring contributions to the field of piano pedagogy. The awards will be presented at the 20th Anniversary NCKP Banquet on Friday, July 26, 2019 as part of NCKP 2019 at the Westin Hotel in Lombard, Illinois. We welcome all to attend and celebrate Dr. Lancaster and Dr. Magrath. Tickets can be purchased via the NCKP online registration form.

We extend our congratulations to both Jane and E.L. Their influence on the profession is demonstrated across the country and internationally exemplifying their substantial dedication to the field of music and piano education. We are grateful to be able to recognize them with this meaningful honor in celebration of their outstanding contributions.

Dr. Jennifer Snow
Executive Director
The Frances Clark Center

“I am pleased to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. This organization is at the forefront of teacher training for our field and this recognition by them is truly an honor. I always look forward to the conferences and the one in 2019 promises to be a true highlight for me.” — E.L. Lancaster

“I’m thrilled to receive this award from the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. I am mindful of the enormous impact this organization has had on supporting excellence in teaching through its work and influence. This is truly a wonderful honor.” — Jane Magrath

Clavier Companion appoints Director of Content Curation/Senior Editor

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

02 AUGUST 2018

The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the hire of Dr. Andrea McAlister as the new Director of Content Curation and Senior Editor for Clavier Companion, effective August 1, 2018. Dr. McAlister, NCTM, is Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Oberlin College where she teaches piano pedagogy and class piano. Her research in piano pedagogy, technology, motivation, and cognition has been featured at national and international conferences and she has been published in the Music Teachers National Association’s American Music Teacher, the MTNA e-journal, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy’s Proceedings, Keyboard Companion, and Clavier Companion. Dr. McAlister is an active clinician and adjudicator. She serves on the Executive Steering Committee for the Music Teachers National Association’s Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Seminar and is on the 2019 Planning Committee and the Committee for Collegiate Pedagogy Teaching for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

“Andrea brings a wide range of experience and innovative energy to the organization.” said Dr. Jennifer Snow, Executive Director for the Center. “We are excited to have Andrea join us as we continue to create the highest quality resources in support of piano teaching and learning.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Andrea to the Clavier Companion editorial team and look forward to collaborating with her on innovative content curation and management of resources for piano teachers and learners.” said Dr. Pamela Pike, Editor in Chief of Clavier Companion magazine.

Clavier Companion is the only publication devoted exclusively to the concerns of the piano/keyboard performer and teacher. Readers receive the very best in cogent, focused, and practical articles on music and teaching at all levels, in-depth interviews, reviews of new materials, and penetrating columns. The new digital platform at ClavierCompanion.com provides a robust, comprehensive database of content related to piano teaching and learning from the past 30 years.

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy is a not-for-profit educational institution (501c3) located in Kingston, New Jersey. The work of the Center is based on the philosophy of music educator Frances Clark (1905-1998) whose life work revolutionized the field of music education in the twentieth century.

For more information about this press release, please contact [email protected].

Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy Hires Editor in Chief/Chief Content Director for Clavier Companion

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

26 JUNE 2018

Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy Hires Editor in Chief/Chief Content Director for Clavier Companion.

The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the hire of Dr. Pamela Pike as the new Editor in Chief/Chief Content Director for Clavier Companion, effective July 1, 2018. Dr. Pike is the Barineau Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Louisiana State University. As an award-winning author, Dr. Pike has published over three dozen scholarly articles, and her book, Dynamic Group-Piano Teaching: Transforming Group Theory into Teaching Practice, is published by Routledge. She has served on the editorial boards of the MTNA e-Journal and the Journal of Music, Technology & Education. Dr. Pike has presented papers and workshops at conferences throughout Asia, Europe, Scandinavia, and North and South America. Dr. Pike serves as president of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association, chair of the International Society for Music Education’s Commission on the Education of the Professional Musician, committee member for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and board member of the Yamaha Disklavier Education Network.

“We are thrilled that Pam will be joining the Frances Clark Center as the new leader for Clavier Companion. Pam exemplifies the highest standards of our profession and her experience as an author, researcher, teacher, and editor is outstanding.” said Dr. Jennifer Snow, Executive Director for the Center. “The publication is entering an exciting period of innovation and creativity. With Pam’s leadership and expertise, we will advance the mission of the Center by continuing to provide the highest quality resources for piano teaching and learning.”

For more information about this press release, please contact [email protected].

Elvina Pearce Donates Transformative Gift to The Frances Clark Center

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

01 MAY 2018

The Frances Clark Center is thrilled to announce the generous and transformative gift received from renowned teacher Elvina Truman Pearce. This unprecedented legacy gift has been donated by Mrs. Pearce to advance
the mission of the Center through meaningful and high quality teacher education. Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Snow expressed, “We are overwhelmed and deeply grateful to Elvina for her extraordinary gift. This exceptional contribution establishes the Elvina Pearce Teacher Education Fund that is dedicated to the highest quality teacher education resources, programs, and courses through the Frances Clark Center. Through her generosity, Elvina continues to support the future development of the profession.”

The Elvina Pearce Teacher Education Fund embodies the career and life work of internationally recognized master piano and pedagogy teacher Elvina Truman Pearce. Highly influential in all areas of the Frances Clark Center, Elvina Pearce was a pedagogy student of Frances Clark, and one of the founders of The New School for Music Study and the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy in Princeton, NJ. She is also one of the founders of the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) and the former Editor-in-Chief of Keyboard Companion magazine from 2000-2006. For 14 years, she taught piano and pedagogy at Northwestern University. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NCKP in 2011 in recognition of her dedicated service to music teaching for more than 50 years. Elvina is also nationally recognized as a composer of more than 25 published collections of piano music, and is the author of a best-selling book, The Success Factor in Piano Teaching: Making Practice Perfect. Elvina lives in Naperville, Illinois where she continues to teach and play the piano.

The Elvina Pearce Teacher Education Fund represents Elvina’s lifetime commitment to excellence in piano teaching and the ideals of the Frances Clark Center. It embodies her passion for teacher education and deep desire to establish powerful programs for future generations. Resources will be dedicated to support emerging professionals through intensive professional teacher education, enrich the profession through specialized teacher education, and nurture excellence in piano teaching and learning on global and local levels.

The France Clark Center is coordinating a fund raising campaign to support the Elvina Pearce Teacher Education Fund. All contributions will help build the Fund and establish a range of innovative teacher education programs. Please join us in celebrating Elvina Pearce and her extraordinary support of the piano teaching profession through the Frances Clark Center, its mission and the extensive network of teachers globally.

Make your easy and secure contribution online:

http://www.ClavierCompanion.com/ElvinaPearceFund

Or, mail your contribution to The Frances Clark Center, c/o Elvina Pearce Teacher Education Fund

P.O. Box 651, 4543 Route 27, Kingston, NJ 08528

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, a not-for-profit educational institution (501c3) located in Kingston, New Jersey, serves pianists and teachers through its three divisions: The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Clavier Companion magazine, and The New School for Music Study.

For more information about this press release, please contact [email protected].

Frances Clark Center appoints new Director of NCKP

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

12 DECEMBER 2017

The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce that Ryan Greene has been promoted to the position of Director, NCKP and Director of Digital Operations for the Frances Clark Center. Greene is currently Associate Director, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and has handled Digital Management for Clavier Companion. Greene has a Master of Music in Piano Performance & Pedagogy from SMU.

I am extremely pleased that Ryan will be taking the reins of NCKP,” said Samuel Holland, Algur H. Meadows Dean of the Meadows School for the Arts at SMU and former Executive Director of NCKP. “Ryan has been instrumental in the success of NCKP 2017, and I am completely comfortable with his leadership.” Dr. Holland will remain on the Board of Trustees of the Frances Clark Center, and will continue in an advisory capacity with NCKP.

Dr. Clark believed passionately in the transformative power of music making in the life of every person—not just the young, not just the gifted, not just the privileged. What set Frances Clark apart from her predecessors, however, was her recognition that the quality of musical experience is directly related to the quality of the music teaching-learning experience. Thus she placed singular importance on the preparation of teachers.

The Center advances its goals and serves local, national, and international audiences through: The New School for Music Study, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Clavier Companion magazine, the Piano Pedagogy Forum, and several print publications.

For more information about this press release, please contact [email protected].

Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy Hires Full-Time Executive Director

Written By Piano Inspires

PRESS RELEASE

25 OCTOBER 2017

The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce the hire of Dr. Jennifer Snow as its first full-time Executive Director, effective November 1, 2017. Snow is a former Vice President, Teacher Education for the Royal Conservatory and previously was a member of the keyboard faculty at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
She holds a doctorate degree from Northwestern University. Snow is a frequent speaker and clinician presenting at a wide range of international conferences, and also an international concert artist appearing as a collaborative pianist throughout Canada, the United States, Asia, and Europe.

“Jennifer Snow is a leader in the field of music education and pedagogy,” said Samuel Holland, Algur H. Meadows Dean of the Meadows School for the Arts at SMU and former Executive Director of NCKP. “I have had the opportunity to work with her on several occasions, and I have been impressed with her energy, vision, insight, and creativity.
I could not be more pleased than to know that Dr. Snow will be bringing her strategic leadership and experience to the Frances Clark Center.”

“I’m thrilled that Dr. Snow will be joining the Frances Clark Center as our first full-time Executive Director,” concurred Leslie Owsley, Chair of the Frances Clark Center Board of Trustees. “Bringing someone with her credentials, energy, and enthusiasm on board is a major step forward for our organization, and will enable us to do even more to support piano teachers in their important work of transforming lives through excellence in piano study.”

Update on Dr. Edwin Gordon’s NCKP keynote

Written By Piano Inspires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2015
Written by Sam Holland

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, wish to extend our sincere best wishes to Dr. Edwin Gordon who has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Dr. Gordon was to have presented the opening keynote address at the 2015 conference and is resting comfortably and attending to his health.

Scott Price, President of the Board of Trustees of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy expressed the following: “Edwin Gordon is a true legend in the field of music education and the full impact his work is only beginning to be felt in the piano teaching community. I am very saddened that Dr. Gordon’s health prevents him from being with us at this time, but am heartened that he has asked us to have his keynote address read at the conference. While nothing can replace his presence at our event, I am pleased that we will have him with us in thoughts and words. Please join me in sending best wishes to Dr. Gordon and his family.”

Edwin E. Gordon is known throughout the world as a preeminent researcher, teacher, author, editor, and lecturer in the field of music education. Since 1997 he has been Distinguished Professor in Residence at the University of South Carolina, following his retirement as the Carl E. Seashore Professor of Research in Music Education at Temple University in Philadelphia. In addition to advising Ph.D. candidates in music education, Dr. Gordon has devoted many years to teaching music to preschool children. Through extensive research, Professor Gordon has made major contributions to the study of music aptitudes, stages and types of audiation, music learning theory, and rhythm in movement and music, to name just a few areas. Before devoting his life to the field of music education, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in string bass performance from the Eastman School of Music and played string bass with the Gene Krupa band. He went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1958. Professor Gordon and his work have been portrayed nationally and internationally on the NBC Today Show, in the New York Times, in USA Today, and in a variety of European and Asian publications. (from GIA Publications, Inc.)

The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy will be held at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center Hotel, Chicago, July 30 through August 3rd. Pre-conference seminars will take place on July 29th. Approximately 700 piano teachers from across the United States and throughout the world will meet to learn about and discuss issues in piano teaching including teaching students with special needs, music creativity, music technology, and other core subjects germane to the discipline.

PIANO PEDAGOGY FORUM MOVES TO NEW HOME

Written By Piano Inspires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Frances Clark Center Acquires Prestigious Online Journal

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Piano Pedagogy Forum internet journal.
Created in 1998 by Scott Price as the first online journal in the piano pedagogy field, the journal has published 26 issues with participation of 100+ writers from over 80 institutions and three foreign countries. Articles in this publication have been reprinted in the major journals in the piano teaching community, including The American Music Teacher, Clavier Companion, and internationally in the Greek Music Education Journal. Piano Pedagogy Forum is the 2008 recipient of the highly coveted Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award given by the Music Teachers National Association, the nation’s largest professional organization with a membership of c. 22,000 in all 50 United States and with 500 affiliate organizations.

“The Frances Clark Center is the ideal place for the journal to continue to fulfill its role in promoting and making available research in the field,” writes Piano Pedagogy Forum founder and Frances Clark Center President Scott Price. “I am very pleased with the move to the new location, and we are in the process of naming a new editorial board who will assist in the journal’s mission.”

Following a brief hiatus during its transition to the Frances Clark Center, Piano Pedagogy Forum will soon resume publication. All back issues are now available as PDF documents on the Frances Clark Center website at www.keyboardpedagogy.org/ppf.

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy is a not-for-profit educational institution (501c3) located in Kingston, New Jersey. The Center serves local, national, and international audiences through its three divisions: The New School for Music Study, the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, and Clavier Companion magazine. For more information, visit www.keyboardpedagogy.org.