For 65 years, The New School for Music Study (NSMS), a cornerstone of The Frances Clark Center’s mission, has served as a national leader in piano education. Founded on the educational philosophy of Frances Clark—whose work profoundly shaped twentieth-century music education—NSMS continues to advance the power of music-making through teaching, performance, and community engagement for students of all ages and backgrounds.
During the first half of the 65th Anniversary Academic Year, NSMS launched new teacher-education initiatives, introduced new programming, expanded its lecture recital offerings through community partnerships, and broadened performance opportunities for students across generations. Below are highlights from the first half of this milestone year.
Bringing Music into the Community
This fall, NSMS expanded its Lecture Recital Series through a new partnership with the Plainsboro Public Library, welcoming more than 80 community members across two events.
Film Scores for Solo Piano: The Music of John Williams, presented by Molly Sanford, invited audiences to explore iconic film music through live piano performance, offering insight into transcription and arrangement for solo piano. In a second program, Nathaniel Maxwell and TianYi Li brought Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals to life in an interactive four-hands performance full of movement, imagination, and learning for young listeners. Conversations are now underway to establish this partnership as ongoing programming beginning in January 2026.
Faculty in Concert
The Faculty Concert Series opened with Gratitude for Our Musical Roots at Nassau Presbyterian Church. Spanning musical styles, eras, and global traditions, the program reflected the depth and diversity of NSMS faculty artistry.
Works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy, and Liszt appeared alongside music by Copland, Piazzolla, Scriabin, Chee, and Márquez. Highlights included Debussy’s L’isle Joyeuse, Scriabin’s virtuosic études, Mozart’s Sonata in C Major, Bach’s “Sinfonia” from the Partita in C Minor, and expressive twentieth- and twenty-first-century works such as Piazzolla’s Milonga del Ángel, Chee’s Sandpaintings, and Márquez’s Danzón No. 2.
A Global NSMS Community
This year, parents, students, and faculty added pins to a world map displayed in the NSMS lobby, sharing where they—and their families—call home. The growing map is a powerful visual reminder of the many cultures, stories, and places connected through piano study and music education at NSMS.
Teacher Education in Action
NSMS continued to expand its commitment to teacher learning through collaborative partnerships and new initiatives. A full house gathered for My Favorite Pieces to Teach, a pedagogy event presented with APN (Advancing Professionals Network) through the New Jersey Music Teachers Association, exploring late-intermediate repertoire and practical teaching strategies.
This academic year also marked the launch of the Piano Teacher Engagement Series, a year-long program designed for piano teachers at all stages of their careers. Thirty-five teachers met biweekly to exchange ideas, reflect on teaching practice, and engage in research-informed discussion with NSMS faculty and guest presenters. Plans are already underway to continue the dialogue through the summer, extending learning and strengthening professional connections.
NSMS also launched the 2025–2026 NSMS Residency Series with a three-day residency by Dr. Susanna Garcia. Her visit included a community workshop (Start Early: Teach Two-Handed Coordination with Success); two faculty workshops on keyboard mapping, visualization, and inclusive group teaching; master classes for members of the Program for Excellence in Piano Study and adult students; and teaching observations with coaching conferences. The residency exemplified NSMS’s commitment to immersive, practice-centered professional learning.
Student Performances & Community Celebrations
Student performances remained central to NSMS’s anniversary year. The Ice Cream Social and Open House launched the fall with music and reflection, followed by themed recitals including Music Around the World, Spooky Sounds, and Musical Merriment. Strong participation led to expanded recital offerings and increased performances in senior living communities, creating meaningful musical connections across generations.
More than 85 NSMS students brought joy to senior living communities through performances featuring holiday favorites, classical gems, and contemporary student selections such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Carol of the Bells,” Burgmüller’s “Arabesque,” and music from Star Wars by John Williams. Works by Melody Bober, Catherine Rollin, and many others highlighted students of all levels and celebrated the expressive power of music.
Looking ahead, students in the Program for Excellence in Piano Study are preparing a special project—American Voices: Celebrating Heritage & Women in Music—to be presented at the Princeton Public Library in March 2026, continuing NSMS’s commitment to meaningful community engagement through performance.
Looking Beyond Our Walls
NSMS faculty continue to contribute on a national and regional level, with multiple presentations accepted for the Music Teachers National Association National Conference 2026, addressing topics such as representation in repertoire, memory across the lifespan, and lifelong engagement with music. Faculty members have also been active as performers, clinicians, and scholars—presenting master classes, performing in several states, and publishing research papers and pedagogy materials.
Closer to home, NSMS faculty presented at the New Jersey State Music Teachers Association Conference in November 2025, offering sessions on engaging recital repertoire, inclusive pedagogical approaches, accessible programming, and leadership in piano teaching. NSMS also hosted an exhibit table featuring The Frances Clark Center that included publications and subscription information for our colleagues across the state.
Preparations are underway for the return of one of NSMS’s most iconic traditions—the Silent Film Celebration, scheduled for April 2026. This distinctive event brings together pianists of all ages and levels to perform live music to classic silent films, and it remains a cherished offering within the state of New Jersey.
What’s New—and What’s Ahead
This fall, NSMS launched new Chamber Music and Online Theory Tutoring programs, expanding flexible and collaborative learning opportunities for students. Applications will soon open for the Post-Graduate Teaching Program (2026–2027), designed to support emerging piano educators through mentorship, teaching experience, and professional project development.
Stay Connected All Year
Be part of the celebration and follow our 65th year through our website and social media to stay connected with upcoming concerts, teacher-education events, and student performances.
Learn more about teaching and professional development opportunities at The New School for Music Study by clicking here.
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