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Now that The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 has passed, we would like to thank Janna Peña and Anthony Ty for this insightful post about their experience as new professionals at the conference. Look for news about The Piano Conference: NCKP 2027 in fall 2026!

Attending The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 was a meaningful experience: inspiring, grounding, and energizing. As new professionals, we arrived with a sense of excitement and a few quiet nerves. But we left with renewed confidence, a handful of practical tools, and a beautiful community. Here are some of the highlights of what we learned:

1. Everyone Has a Seat at the Table and Creative Ideas Thrive in Community

Janna: The Innovation Summit was a reminder that no matter where we are in our careers—just starting out, running a successful independent studio, or leading higher education—we share similar goals, hopes, and challenges. The summit emphasized belonging in the piano teaching community. It reminded me that we don’t have to follow a rigid blueprint for success. Instead, we can lean into our unique voices and carve out a space that reflects our passions and values.

One major takeaway from the summit was that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. When we shared ideas in breakout groups, whether for community projects, student engagement, or performance opportunities, we found that encouragement from peers and mentors helped transform abstract visions into real possibilities. The pressure to “prove” myself faded in those moments, replaced by a new sense of motivation and purpose.

Anthony: The Innovation Summit helped me realize just how global our profession truly is, and how much impact piano teachers have on the world. When teaching privately, it’s easy to feel isolated and fall into the mindset of “we’re just piano teachers.” But through brainstorming sessions, workshopping ideas, and engaging in design-thinking projects, I was reminded of the profound power we hold as educators. It was a powerful experience to recognize that, as piano teachers, we all contribute to something far greater than just our individual studios.

2. Concert Repertoire Can Be Diverse and Deeply Engaging

Janna: The Celebration Concerts were a real highlight of the conference. What stood out most was the diversity, not only in the styles of music but in the stories and identities of the performers who brought them to life. There was everything from classical to jazz to contemporary to pieces by underrepresented composers, and every performance felt intentional and deeply expressive. It reminded me that great music doesn’t have to fit into one box. Whether it was something familiar or completely new, the music connected with the audience in a powerful way. As both performer and teacher, it encouraged me to continue expanding my musical horizons and to share works that reflect a broader range of voices and stories. 

Anthony: The spotlight on underrepresented composers and music extended past the concerts and into the conference programming. Learning about composers and works from Vietnam, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, and more, inspired me to explore my heritage and seek out active composers in our community whose music I can perform and teach, moving beyond the standard repertoire I often find myself relying on year after year.

3. Behind Every Great Performance Is Great Teaching

Janna: The teaching demonstrations gave a rare glimpse into the journey behind the stage. Watching experienced teachers work with students was powerful. Their patience, flexibility, and creative use of tools highlighted the importance of process over product. It inspired me to embrace the long game in my own teaching, trusting that with consistency and genuine care, my students will thrive.

Anthony: One other observation that stood out was the emphasis on individuality in teaching and working with students. Each student-teacher dynamic was unique, and every teaching style varied, which reinforced the importance of watching other educators in action. As individual teachers, it’s easy to fall into a familiar routine, but witnessing different approaches serves as a reminder that there is no single “right” way to teach. Each teacher brings their perspective and methodology, and embracing this diversity in teaching styles only enriches our collective understanding and approach.

4. Resources We Never Knew We Needed

Janna: The showcases and Exhibit Hall were treasure troves of discovery. I found everything from method books I hadn’t heard of to adaptive tools like the Athena keyboard with narrow keys. Digital platforms like SuperScore opened up new possibilities for interactive teaching. As a new professional still building my toolkit, it was empowering to see how many innovative resources are out there to support both educators and students.

Anthony: There’s something special about picking up books, activities, and tools in person. It’s just not the same as looking at them online. Honestly, I think we all miss the days of wandering through in-person music stores, and the Exhibit Hall gave me that “kid in a candy store” feeling. However, it wasn’t just great for discovering new products, but also provided a chance to talk with the exhibitors and hear about their latest innovations. Those conversations gave me fresh ideas and got me thinking about what I could bring into my teaching.

5. Finding Our Community

Networking events like the New Professionals Pizza Party were more than just social breaks. Meeting others at a similar stage of their careers, sharing laughs about the same teaching challenges, and dreaming about future collaborations gave a sense of camaraderie. Throughout the conference, we also met seasoned professionals whom we each now consider potential mentors. These relationships are what we’re most excited to carry forward after the conference.

Janna: As an international student, it felt especially meaningful to find a seat at the table. At the start of the Innovation Summit, one of the interactive activities was placing a sticker on a world map to mark where we first began learning the piano. Seeing dots from across the globe was incredibly moving. Despite our varied backgrounds, we all carried the same deep-rooted love for music and a shared vision for the future of piano teaching. In that moment, I truly felt part of a community that celebrates diverse journeys and welcomes fresh voices.

Anthony Ty: As a recent graduate, this conference provided an invaluable opportunity to reconnect with a professional community that can sometimes feel lost after leaving college. Especially when teaching privately, it is easy to feel isolated, disconnected from the collaborative environment in school. The chance to engage with fellow piano teachers who share similar goals and motivations was both invigorating and inspiring, offering a renewed sense of energy and purpose. 

Final Thoughts

Attending The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 was a beautiful opportunity to reflect on why we, as piano educators, do what we do. As new professionals, we often struggle with building our identity in a field where experience is highly valued, but this conference reminded us that growth isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about continuing to evolve with others.

The connections made at the conference reinforced that we are all part of a larger, vibrant community. From seasoned professionals to those just beginning their journey, the exchange of ideas and stories highlighted the importance of shared experiences. Every teacher, regardless of their experience level, brings something unique to the table.

By coming together to learn, connect, and reflect, we were reminded of the profound impact we have as pianists and educators. This four-day conference has left us inspired to continue growing as pianists, reinvesting in our own artistry so we can better model curiosity, creativity, and resilience for those we teach. We also move forward with a deeper passion for nurturing our students and a commitment to helping them discover their own voice and love for music in a world that can often feel uncertain.

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