Join host Craig Sale as he interviews Roberta Rust in this episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast. Rust, whose worldwide concert career has taken her to the world’s leading venues, serves as Professor of Piano at the Lynn Conservatory. In this conversation, Rust discusses her early studies both in the United States and abroad as well as her musical inspirations and her predictions about the future of music study. Listen now to hear her inspiring ideas and reflections.
Podcast: Play in new window
This month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day and a few of the compositions we love, including Rhapsody in Blue, the Appassionata Sonata, and Sketches of a Life.
On February 12, 1924, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue premiered in Aeolian Hall in New York City, with Gershwin himself on the keys. Rhapsody in Blue, a substantial work for solo piano and a special orchestral combination that included saxophones, was received with aplomb, and continues to be loved by pianists and music-lovers alike.
Interested in teaching Gershwin’s repertoire in your studio? Check out this helpful article on Blue Lullaby, an approachable piece perfect for students who love Gershwin’s signature sound.
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, now affectionately known as the “Appassionata,” was published by the Bureau des arts et d’industrie in Vienna in 1807. Dedicated to Count Franz Brunswick, Beethoven’s friend and a capable cellist, the Appassionata is a tumultuous and technically demanding sonata.
This sonata showcases Beethoven’s varied writing as he pushed the Classical-era barriers of harmony and form. The first movement opens with eerie arpeggios, changing direction and exploding into trills. The second movement contrasts with a sweet, chorale texture, while the third and final movement spins in constant motion through divergent harmonies.
Want to learn more about Beethoven’s sonatas and sonatinas? Check out our microcourse titled Classical Sonatinas and Sonatas at the Piano. Plus, be sure to subscribe to PianoInspires for the latest innovative and dynamic content from the piano community.
Beloved pianist and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder had a monumental influence on the music of the late 1900s and early 2000s. Throughout his career he was awarded 25 Grammys, an Academy Award, and the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
The Gershwin Prize is named after George and Ira Gershwin for their immense impact on popular music. Awarded to Stevie Wonder in 2009 at a special White House ceremony (although originally announced earlier in 2008), the award recognizes Stevie’s indelible mark on popular music.
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
From February 1-28, we celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect upon the remarkable music and contributions of Black people. In this Discovery Page post, we have curated a collection of Piano Inspires resources to help everyone discover something new. From our international webinar series, to articles in Piano Magazine and Piano Inspires Kids, to our online course, Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now, there is so much to discover! We hope these resources will provide useful tips and ideas to help you incorporate music by Black composers into your recital programs, lesson plans, and more.
Since 2024, The Frances Clark Center has been publishing numerous works of Thomas H. Kerr Jr., a pianist and composer who taught at Howard University. Kerr’s catalogue lists over 150 compositions for piano, organ, voice, chorus, and chamber ensembles, most of which have never been published. They are preserved in manuscripts at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Archives and Rare Books Division, in New York City. Learn more about these publications below.
Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now is a fully online course exploring classical piano music by Black composers from elementary to early advanced levels. This course is designed to help remedy the lack of inclusion of piano music by Black composers in the standard teaching repertoire, and the music heard on the public concert stage.
Discover our original and diverse video series such as Inspiring Artistry and From the Artist Bench Video Series.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing concert pianist, conductor, and professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Awadagin Pratt. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Awadagin Pratt has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins, an honorary doctorate from Illinois Wesleyan University, and an Avery Fisher Grant. In November 2009, Pratt was one of four artists selected to perform at a music event at the White House that included student workshops hosted by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. He also performed in concert for guests including President Obama. He has played numerous recitals throughout the United States and internationally, including four tours of Japan. We had a great chat about his historic career, the competition his foundation will sponsor, and—BBQ!
Artina McCain
Tell me about your early exposure to music.
Awadagin Pratt
My father listened to classical music in our home. He was a nuclear physicist, but he loved music and actually played the organ as a child. He would often record from the radio to the old reel-to-reel tape machines. It was the only music in the house, and I liked it. My parents started me with piano lessons when I was six, but when we moved to Brazil for a year, I stopped taking lessons. I restarted piano lessons when I was eight and then began taking violin lessons when I was nine.
Read more of Artina McCain’s interview with Awadagin Pratt by clicking here.
Share the love this Valentine’s Day by honoring piano teachers who are working every day to make the world more kind, inclusive, and connected through the transformational power of music!
We welcome you to celebrate your own teacher by sharing a tribute with us and donating to The Frances Clark Center. Students, parents, and colleagues are honoring piano teachers from their communities as part of the “Power of a Piano Teacher” campaign.
The teachers featured below are making profound contributions to students at all stages, from the youngest beginners, to college students, and to those who study later in life. These inspirational, personal stories testify of the timeless impact piano teachers have on their students and their communities.
Join us by honoring your teacher today!
By Nora Mello
Dr. Tish Anne Kilgore was my first piano teacher and I studied with her from age five until eighteen. Over the years, she helped me learn not only technique and repertoire, but also instilled a love of music in me. She always encouraged me to find joy in music and challenged me to strive for excellence. Seeing Tish complete her own doctorate when I was a teenager was a pivotal moment for me, and inspired me to pursue my own doctorate fifteen years later. I will always be grateful for Tish for the strong musical foundation she gave me, and would not be the same musician today without her guidance, patience, and encouragement.
By Beth Van Dam
Dr. V. was the teacher who helped me really fall in love with music and discover my own musical voice. His love for music and for his students manifested as an inescapably contagious enthusiasm. I remember leaving a lesson early on in my studies with him and beaming ear-to-ear because, while working on a Bach piece, he had helped me to experience for the first time what it felt like to truly speak the language of music. It was a magical moment and firmly fixed my determination that music would have to be a central aspect of the rest of my life.
More than anything, Dr. V. taught me by words and example that, to quote Bach, “the aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” He helped me to focus on using music to bless people around me rather than focusing on myself and my own insecurities. That emphasis continues to give my work meaning and purpose beyond myself and motivates me on days when it gets hard. I will always be inexpressibly grateful for Dr. V.’s influence on me, both musically and personally. I consider him to be one of my greatest mentors.
By Hanqiu Xu
Professor Hong had a profound and positive impact on my life during my high school years at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music in China. He was the one who encouraged me to audition and pursue my studies abroad in the United States, which ultimately changed the direction of my life. More importantly, his teaching continues to shape the way I teach today. He emphasized careful analysis in every lesson, not only identifying mistakes, but understanding why they happen, whether due to fingering, coordination, or musical thinking. His teaching addressed both the larger aspects of musical taste and interpretation, as well as the smallest technical details. Every lesson was dynamic, and he never taught students in the same way; instead, he solved problems individually, adapting his approach to each student. He grew and learned alongside his students, and he will always be a role model for me as a teacher and musician.
MORE ON THE POWER OF A PIANO TEACHER
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
In the Community Impact webinar series, music teachers across the world gather to create, refine, and celebrate projects that positively impact communities and advance piano teaching. In this year’s inaugural session, host Leah Claiborne invited internationally recognized leader Stanford Thompson to share his thoughts on the theme “Impact in the Time of Adversity.”
Thompson is the founder and executive director of Equity Arc, an organization that seeks to expand access to professional pathways for exceptional classical musicians of color who have been historically excluded. Earlier this year, executive orders related to DEI cancelled a planned project that involved bringing a group of students to Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Band for mentorship and training over a period of several days. When appeals were unsuccessful, Thompson and his team chose to host an event for these students anyway—within weeks instead of months. Students, parents, and professional musicians from across the country met in D.C. for a concert that was ultimately featured on CBS’s show 60 Minutes.
Thompson shared some of his team’s reasoning for continuing the project, even without the participation of the U.S. Marine Band:
“The instinct could have been to shrink back, to wait until the storm passes…. I reminded our team of our mission, and that it’s always been about visibility and dignity and excellence for young musicians of color, and these are values that don’t go away when times get tough. To retreat would send the wrong message.”
A portion of the 60 Minutes video report, shown during the session, included powerful statements from high school students who participated in the concert:
“One thing that unites us all is this music. I’m here because I love it. No other reason than all these amazing, talented people, and I don’t want this to be taken away from anybody because of someone else’s personal opinion or just anything else besides why we like to do this.” – Sean Muzon, Atlanta, Georgia1
“We worked hard to be here. We belong here. We have the talent to be here. And this is not just for us, but for children. And just people in the same situation that we are, that nobody can tell you what to do. You know, if you put your mind to something that you can accomplish that.” – Vanessa Cabrera, Rockaway, New Jersey2
“I just want the world to be a better place, but it seems like we’re slowly straying away from that, and we got to make a change. And I believe everyone here is capable of doing that, but are we going to do it?” – Ricardo Lazaro, San Antonio, Texas3
Thompson concluded by encouraging attendees to move forward with their community impact projects with conviction and determination. “Your ability to create projects that respond directly to your community needs is a unique freedom,” he said. “Bold projects rarely start in a safe environment. They grow because somebody believed the work was too important not to try.”
In future Community Impact sessions, attendees will continue to refine their own community projects in a supportive and collaborative environment. Wherever you are in the creative process—or if you simply want to learn from your colleagues—you are invited to join us!
Learn more about the Community Impact sessions here.
MORE ON COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
The latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast features internationally recognized musician and educator Stanford Thompson. In this interview with host Craig Sale, Thompson discusses his musical upbringing and inspirations, his current work as founder and executive director of Equity Arc, and his belief in the power of music to impact the future. Don’t miss this insightful and compelling conversation.
Podcast: Play in new window
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Julie Jaffee Nagel, we are spotlighting her extensive scholarship and research published by The Frances Clark Center. Julie Jaffee Nagel, Ph.D. has blended her interdisciplinary work in music and psychology for many years to reach out to music teachers, students, and the general public. She is a graduate of Juilliard (BM and MS Degrees, Piano) University of Michigan (dual Ph.D. Degrees in Psychology and Social Work), and The Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. She has presented locally, nationally, and world wide and is an acclaimed author with a private practice focusing on musicians’ anxiety concerns, career choice, and social outreach with emphasis on mental health through music. She has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award from NCKP with whom she has enjoyed collaborating.
In this article shared with Nancy Bachus and Gail Berenson, Julie Jaffee Nagel provides a varied and holistic approach to discussing performance anxiety. She discusses how attitude, self-esteem, and comparison factor into this discussion, and she presents case studies to describe some of the ways she’s helped performers in the past. Read more about her insightful work on performance anxiety here:
https://pianoinspires.com/article/how-do-you-deal-with-stage-fright-or-performance-anxiety/
The Performance Anxiety Management course presents practical tips to help teachers and students learn the strategies and techniques to perform with confidence. The course is built around three modules including mindfulness, performance anxiety, and resilience, and features many articles by Julie Jaffee Nagel along with other leading experts in the field such as Vanessa Cornett and Gail Berenson. Learn more and register here:
Alexandre Dossin reviews Julie Jaffee Nagel’s book Managing Stage Fright: A Guide for Musicians and Music Teachers in this article from Piano Magazine. In his review, Dossin praises Dr. Nagel’s work as “an extremely helpful guide to encouraging [his] students to perform with confidence.” Dossin provides helpful insights for those interested in learning more about the book, including its structure, the many techniques described, and the descriptions of Dr. Nagel’s work with her own patients. Learn more about this fantastic resource here:
https://pianoinspires.com/article/january-february-2019-book-reviews/
Want to learn more about Julie Jaffee Nagel? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Nagel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or our website!
MORE ON JULIE JAFFEE NAGEL
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
In this episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast, host Sara Ernst is joined by Julie Jaffee Nagel, a psychologist, psychoanalyst, and musician. Nagel reflects on her educational journey, her experiences as a musician, and how psychology and music intersect in her work. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Julie Jaffee Nagel.
Podcast: Play in new window
Join host Sara Ernst as she interviews Logan Skelton in this episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast. A pianist, composer, and teacher, Dr. Skelton is the Artur Schnabel Collegiate Professor of Music in Piano and the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music at the University of Michigan. Their conversation explores Skelton’s beginnings in Mississippi, his passion for composition and poetry, and his teaching philosophy. Tune in now to discover more about Skelton’s unique career and musical journey.
Podcast: Play in new window
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.
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Wilfred Delphin, we are spotlighting his extensive teaching and performance career. Wilfred Delphin is a pianist and teacher and a member of the piano duo Delphin and Romaine. He taught at Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Music and retired from that role in 2004. He has performed around the world in prestigious venues such as the White House, where he performed for President Jimmy Carter. Read more below to learn about his work as a pianist and educator.
By Pamela Pike
As half of the duo-piano team, Delphin and Romain, Wilfred has performed at large and small concert venues throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Their performances highlighted their artistic and technical skill, as well as the works of both recognized and underappreciated composers. As the first critically and internationally acclaimed African American piano duo, Delphin and Romain performed traditional Western two-piano repertoire and championed lesser-known African American composers by commissioning and playing their works, including for President Jimmy Carter in the White House. But Delphin and Romain didn’t only present their musical offerings in the most prestigious concert halls, they also traveled throughout the United States transporting their own pianos and bringing the music they loved to small communities, where audiences who may have been unfamiliar with classical music were appreciative of the skilled performance and musical experience. Since Edwin Romain’s passing in 1995, Delphin continued to teach advanced university-level pianists, to perform collaboratively with colleagues, and champion young black musicians whose voices he believed were worth hearing.
Want to learn more about Wilfred Delphin? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Sale on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or our website!
MORE ON WILFRED DELPHIN
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
In the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast, host Pam Pike interviews Wilfred Delphin, best known for his work as one half of the Delphin and Romain piano duo. Delphin reflects on his distinguished performing career and decades of teaching, sharing anecdotes that reveal his deep sense of responsibility to both music and education. Listen now to hear his inspiring insights.
Podcast: Play in new window
For nearly fifty years, Phyllis Lehrer has shaped the field of piano education through her teaching, mentorship, publications, and leadership. Her influence spans generations, touching the lives of her students and the countless individuals they now teach. The Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy & Artistry Fund supports high-quality teacher education and student programming that reflect the values Phyllis has championed throughout her distinguished career. This includes student enrichment opportunities at The New School for Music Study, including the Program for Excellence in Piano Study (PEPS), chamber music, and other emerging initiatives that support artistic growth and educational excellence.
Created to honor her extraordinary contributions, the fund ensures that Phyllis’s legacy continues to inspire the future of piano teaching and learning. Guided by her lifelong dedication to musical excellence, educational innovation, and the transformative power of teaching, the fund provides a lasting foundation for artistic growth and professional development in piano pedagogy.
Gifts can be made online at: https://pianoinspires.com/phyllis-lehrer/
I am thrilled that we are honoring and celebrating my mother and her distinguished career in piano pedagogy this year, and I am deeply grateful for the love and support that made the creation of the Phyllis Lehrer Piano Pedagogy and Artistry Fund possible. My mother has been a lifelong advocate for excellence in piano teaching, inspiring me through her dedication to teaching, performing, researching, presenting, and continual learning.
As a pianist, her remarkable tone, thoughtful interpretations, and warmth of phrasing resonate in my ears. She is an exceptional soloist and chamber musician, and as a master pedagogue, she has a special ability to offer clear, practical solutions that deepen musical understanding, technical development, and expressive playing.
Through her work, my mother has influenced piano teachers around the world, shaping generations of students with her warm and insightful approach to piano pedagogy. Her passion for teaching and commitment to artistic growth have profoundly influenced her students and continue to inspire me every day.
Your gift ensures Phyllis’s inspiring work continues for generations to come.
MORE ON THE POWER OF A PIANO TEACHER
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!
Join us for a thoughtful conversation with host Craig Sale and Louis Nagel, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Michigan. In this episode, Nagel shares insightful perspectives on music, performance, and teaching, drawn from a distinguished career as both a pianist and an educator. This episode offers a rich look into a life dedicated to music and mentorship.
Podcast: Play in new window
To celebrate the latest episode of the Piano Inspires Podcast featuring Louis Nagel, we are spotlighting his extensive scholarship and research published by The Frances Clark Center.
Louis Nagel is Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Musician and a Steinway Artist. After completing his studies at Juilliard with Rosina Lhevinne, Josef Raieff, and Joseph Bloch, Nagel served on the faculty of UM since 1969. His performance career has taken him throughout the world and he frequently performed as a conference presenter. Read more below to learn about his many inspiring contributions to Keyboard Companion and Piano Magazine.
Louis Nagel’s legacy at the University of Michigan and his impact on the field are undeniable. In this article by his former student, Rochelle Klein, she shares about the beginnings of his career, his important partnership with his wife Julie Jaffee Nagel, and his approach to teaching works of all levels. Discover more about Nagel’s remarkable career here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/louis-nagel-the-peoples-pianist/.
Have you ever wondered how to make students more sensitive to the harmonic changes within a piece of music? In this article, Louis Nagel and Anne Marie Olson give there thoughts about working with students of all levels to identify harmonic nuances and understand them musically. Learn more about Nagel’s approach to teaching harmony here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/november-2010-vol-2-no-6/.
Many pianists struggle to make music that is improvisatory—or music that seems improvisatory—sound as if it is being made up on the spot. In this article, Nagel approaches this complicated pedagogical task from the perspective of Chopin’s Nocturne in G Minor, Op. 15, No. 3. Using his step-by-step remarks, the piece unfolds with spontaneity. Read about Nagel’s approach here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/keyboard-companion-summer-2001-vol-12-no-2/.
Contrapuntal music requires careful study and practice to achieve a harmonious and balanced performance. In this article, Nagel reflects on the practice and teaching strategies he uses when teaching Bach’s “Invention No. 1 in C Major”. Explore his thoughts about teaching contrapuntal music more here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/keyboard-companion-autumn-1999-vol-10-no-3/.
Did you know that Bach’s Inventions were not originally ordered the way they are typically published today? Using this knowledge, Nagel presents a convincing pedagogical argument for following this order when teaching Bach’s work. Learn more about Nagel’s thoughts on Bach’s Inventions here: https://pianoinspires.com/article/keyboard-companion-summer-2006-vol-17-no-2/.
In May 2016, Louis Nagel retired from his forty-seven-year career at the University of Michigan. Understandably, retirement came with immense reflection and emotion as one enters a new stage of life. In these two beautiful articles, both Julie Jaffee Nagel and Louis Nagel reflect on the meaning of retirement, the power of legacy, and the impact of their remarkable work together:
Want to learn more about Louis Nagel? Check out the latest installment of the Piano Inspires Podcast. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com. Listen to our latest episode with Sale on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or our website!
MORE ON LOUIS NAGEL
Want more than a preview?
Subscribe to unlock full videos, webinar archives, and articles!