To celebrate the legacy of Dr. Leah Claiborne as our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we are spotlighting her extensive scholarship and research published by The Frances Clark Center. Leah Claiborne is Associate Professor at the University of the District of Columbia and has served as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Frances Clark Center since 2021. As a pianist, educator, and speaker, she promotes music by Black composers and efforts to support diversity, equity, and inclusion within the music field. At the Center, Claiborne spearheaded the 2025 and 2026 Community Impact Grants Initiative, which has funded projects across the United States to improve access and representation within the piano education community.
In addition to these impactful contributions, Dr. Claiborne has been a leading author and contributor in numerous Center publications. Read more below to learn about her work as a leader, pedagogue, and pianist.
COURSE: Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now
In this course, learn about twenty pieces from beginning to advanced levels by Black composers. Featuring works by composers such as Florence Price, Valerie Capers, R. Nathaniel Dett, Margaret Bonds, and more, this course offers teaching tips designed to help inspire learning and performances of these works. Within the course, contributors Leah Claiborne, Lia Jensen-Abbott, and Artina McCain provide biographical information about the composers along with videos of performances and teaching tips to highlight each work. Learn more and enroll here: https://courses.pianoinspires.com/courses/unsung-heroes.
VIDEO: Pinto: Run! Run! From Memories of Childhood by Leah Claiborne
In this Inspiring Artistry video, Leah Claiborne shares her expert teaching tips to help intermediate students get the most out of Octavius Pinto’s “Run! Run!” from Memories of Childhood. The piece features interlocking triads in a bright and energized texture across the piano. Claiborne provides tips to help students become comfortable with the technical challenges of the piece while illuminating the musical elements. Watch the full video here: https://pianoinspires.com/video/pinto-run-run-from-memories-of-childhood/.
WEBINAR: Music by Black Composers from Outside the USA with Leah Claiborne, Maria Corley, and William Chapman Nyaho
In this conversation with Maria Corley and William Chapman Nyaho, Claiborne discusses music by Black composers from around the world. The discussion covers compositional styles, biographical information about numerous composers, and practical tips for adding these works to your repertoire. In addition to the discussion, the webinar page features numerous online resources to help viewers learn more about these composers. Watch the webinar by clicking here: https://pianoinspires.com/webinar/3-6-24-webinar/.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Ten Things You Can Do to Diversify Your Studio by Leah Claiborne, Desireé Gonzalez-Miller, and Artina McCain
In this article written by Desireé Gonzalez-Miller, Artina McCain, and Leah Claiborne, the authors provide many ways outside of assigning repertoire by underrepresented composers that can help to diversify your studio. The tips include actionable ideas about recruitment, community presence, materials, and more. Read the entire article here: http://pianoinspires.com/article/ten-things-you-can-do-to-diversify-your-studio/.
COURSE: Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In this course developed by Leah Claiborne, Susanna Garcia, and Artina McCain, participants develop a thorough understanding how diversity, equity, and inclusion can transform studio representation, demographics, and community impact. Featuring more than a dozen sessions, the course invites participants to reflect on their practices such as the materials they use, the repertoire they assign, and the business practices that can sometimes prevent piano education from being accessible to all. Discover more insights about the course and enroll here: https://courses.pianoinspires.com/courses/dei.
The Center extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Claiborne for her dedicated and groundbreaking service and leadership in advancing transformative initiatives. We are grateful that she will continue with the Center and provide a smooth transition. Dr. Jennifer Snow, Frances Clark Center President and CEO, stated “ We are deeply grateful to Dr. Claiborne for her outstanding contributions to the Center and the full profession. We are honored that she will be continuing as a senior program advisor supporting the ongoing work of the Center.”
Want to learn more about Claiborne? Check out additional resources created by Claiborne below. To learn more, visit pianoinspires.com.
MORE ON LEAH CLAIBORNE
- COURSE: A Pianist’s Guide to Teaching Online
- WEBINAR: Peer Connections: Belonging in Professional Spaces with Leah Claiborne, Ross Salvosa and Yeeseon Kwon
- WEBINAR: Community Impact – Surge: Impact in the Time of Adversity with Leah Claiborne and Stanford Thompson
- WEBINAR: Community Impact – Spark: From Idea to Implementation with Leah Claiborne and Ross Salvosa
- WEBINAR: Community Impact – Synergy: The Power of Collaboration with Leah Claiborne, Fanaralia Lopez and Luis Sanchez
- COURSE: Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now
- VIDEO: Teaching Demonstration featuring Leah Claiborne
- VIDEO: Pinto: Run! Run! From Memories of Childhood by Leah Claiborne
- WEBINAR: Teaching Demonstration with Leah Claiborne and Scott Donald, Moderated by Sara Ernst
- WEBINAR: Music by Black Composers from Outside the USA with Leah Claiborne, Maria Corley, and William Chapman Nyaho
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Ten Things You Can Do to Diversify Your Studio by Leah Claiborne, Desireé Gonzalez-Miller, and Artina McCain
- COURSE: Piano Teaching through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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