Meet Our Staff

Dr. Jennifer Snow is an internationally recognized executive, artist, educator, and thought leader. She leads all divisions of The Frances Clark Center: Piano Magazine, Piano Inspires Kids, Journal of Piano Research, NCKP: The Piano Conference, New School for Music Study, Online Teacher Education, and Piano Education Press. Passionate about the transformative power of the arts, Jennifer is dedicated to serving and advancing the mission of the Center.

Leah Claiborne, D.M.A. promotes diversity in the arts by championing piano music by Black composers in her performances, research, and teaching. She serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Frances Clark Center/National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy.

Alejandro Cremaschi is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research areas include pedagogical technology and Latin American music. He has recorded for the labels IRCO, Ostinato, Marco Polo and Meridian Records. His pedagogical edition and publication of Alberto Ginastera’s Doce Preludios Americanos for piano was published by Carl Fisher in 2016.

Sara Ernst, PhD, is an active pedagogue and pianist, and Associate Professor and Director of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. For the Frances Clark Center, she is Director of Teacher Engagement and leads programming for NCKP: The Piano Conference.

Shana Kirk is a Colorado-based pianist, teacher, and technology consultant. Exploring the convergence of technology and pedagogy, she serves as a liaison between education and industry, has appeared on programs across the US and Canada, and has written for numerous publications, including as the co-author of the long-running Tech Connect column in American Music Teacher.

Dr. Yeeseon Kwon is Associate Professor in the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University teaching piano, musicianship, piano pedagogy, and special topics in graduate seminars. Specializing in andragogy, she enjoys teaching adult piano students at the Northwestern University Music Academy. Dr. Kwon is the Music, Materials, and Books Editor for Piano Magazine and Vice President of The College Music Society, as well as MTNA East Central Division Director-Elect.

E. L. Lancaster is a piano faculty member at California State University, Northridge. Previous positions include Senior Vice President and Keyboard Editor-in-Chief for Alfred Music and David Ross Boyd Professor of Music at the University of Oklahoma. In 2019, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Dr. Andrea McAlister serves as Director of Digital Programming for the Frances Clark Center and a Senior Editor for Piano Magazine. Dr. McAlister is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Oberlin College and a member of the Yamaha Master Educator Collective.

Hailed by the New York Times as a “virtuoso pianist” Artina McCain, has an international career as a performer, educator and speaker. Dedicated to creating awareness for underrepresented voices, McCain curates programming and arranged 24 African American Folk Songs for the Hal Leonard series. Currently, she is a professor at the University of Memphis.

Rebecca Mergen Pennington has been a member of the faculty of the New School for Music Study since 2007 and currently serves as the Administrative Director. She holds a DMA and MM in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, and a BM in Music Education from Concordia College.

Pamela D. Pike is the Spillman Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Associate Dean of Research at Louisiana State University. As an active researcher of pedagogical topics, she is a sought-after speaker and clinician. Pike has published articles, book chapters and full-length books, and is editor-in-chief of the Piano Magazine.

Craig Sale is a pianist, teacher, workshop clinician, adjudicator, author, and editor. For thirty years he served as Director of the Preparatory and Community Piano Program at Concordia University Chicago where he also taught university courses in piano pedagogy. He was a pedagogy student of Frances Clark and Louise Goss.

Luis Sanchez has maintained an active performing and teaching career and appeared in concerts in the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. He is currently Professor of Piano and Director of Keyboard Studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce and serves as Director of International Engagement for the Frances Clark Center.

Heather Smith maintains a multi-faceted career as an educator, administrator, music examiner, and community arts advocate. She is the co-creator of The Frances Clark Center’s online course, A Pianist’s Guide to Studio Management. Heather holds advanced degrees in music and business and enjoys supporting communities through music fundraising initiatives.

Michaela Jones earned a DMA in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina, studying under Sara Ernst and Scott Price. She has presented at MTNA and NCKP conferences, been published in American Music Teacher, and won Runner-Up in Piano Magazine’s 2019 Collegiate Writing Contest.

Dr. Megan Hall is a pianist, pedagogue, researcher, and presenter based in Lexington, South Carolina. She is the Manager of Communications and Periodicals for the Frances Clark Center, and Coordinator of Piano Studies at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Jasmine Harry is a doctoral candidate in piano pedagogy at the University South Carolina. She received her masters degree in piano pedagogy at Michigan State University and her bachelor degree in piano performance at Stetson University. She is part of national organizations including MTNA, NFMC, Golden Key International Honor Society, and the Pi Kappa Beta Society. She has served as President of Stetson University Collegiate Chapter and currently serves as Vice President of University of South Carolina Collegiate Chapter.

Sarah Leonard began working for Piano Magazine as a student intern in 2021. She has since graduated with her Master’s in Piano Pedagogy from LSU, where she focused her research on small-handed pianists. Currently, she teaches in Baton Rouge.

Dr. Curtis Pavey is a pianist, harpsichordist, and educator. A performer of works from the 16th through the 21st centuries, he feels equally at home performing or teaching at the piano and the harpsichord. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Missouri.

Anthony Ty is 23 years old and recently graduated from DePaul University. Ty currently teaches at Solo Classic (Buffalo Grove, IL), and is now also building up his private studio in Skokie, IL. He has a passion for online teaching and implementing technology in his studio.

Florencia Zuloaga, DMA is an educator and recording artist. She has championed world-premiere recordings of piano works by Argentine women and enjoys bringing light to this repertoire in her concert programming. Dr. Zuloaga serves as an Artist-Faculty at the Omaha Conservatory of Music and is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator in Eastern Nebraska. She received her DMA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Fanarelia Guerrero has dedicated part of her career to piano pedagogy, and to the research of Nicaraguan and Latin American music. She holds degrees from the University of Costa Rica and Texas State University (Piano Performance). She recently earned her DMA in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Guerrero currently serves as Coordinator of the International Engagement for the Frances Clark Center.

Laurel believes that anyone can be musical and inspire artistic community experiences. She teaches in Allentown, PA and directs a children’s choir nearby. Whether teaching, conducting, or fundraising, Laurel builds upon music’s capacity for connection.

Ricardo Pozenatto, a native of Brazil, earned a PhD in Music Education with focus in Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University. He has presented at MTNA and NCKP conferences, and at Canadian and Brazilian conferences. Besides being a Coordinator of International Engagement at the Frances Clark Center, Ricardo also serves as the Florida State MTA Teacher Awards Chair.

Elizabeth Schumann is pursuing a DMA in piano performance at the University of Colorado – Boulder studying under Dr. Jennifer Hayghe. A native of Dallas, Texas, Elizabeth maintains an independent piano studio and is passionate about making diverse music accessible to all piano students.

Owen Zhou holds degrees in piano performance from the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Owen maintains a full teaching studio. He also runs an audio and video production business, serving high profile clients. Owen is also an avid mountaineer and skier.

Hyrum Arnesen is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Southern Virginia University where he directs the Piano Studies. He recently received his DMA from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He is also an active soloist, collaborator, and teacher with particular research interests in Argentine piano repertoire, building strong technique, and fostering motivation in students.

Julia Beck is currently pursuing a masters in piano pedagogy and performance at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studies with Dr. Brenda Wristen and Dr. Paul Barnes. A native of Minot, North Dakota, her special interests include teaching students with hearing loss and researching advancements to their music curriculum.

Hailing from Dallas, TX, Tahja Belin is pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance. Known for her expressive and energetic playing, she has performed with a variety of ensembles across the Memphis Metropolitan Area. Aside from her musical studies, Tahja is a certified IT technician with aspirations of pioneering new technology within the music industry.

Active as a performer and pedagogue, Anna Johnson is committed to community engagement and bringing music to the underserved, and enjoys discovering hidden gems of the piano repertoire. She recently completed her DMA in Piano Pedagogy and Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Piano at Texas Tech University.

Dr. Helena Hyesoo Kim is a Korean-Canadian pianist who focuses on discovering underrepresented composers and specializes in the works of Soviet female composers. She recently graduated with her doctorate from the University of Cincinnati and serves as the Coordinator of Accompanying at the University of Akron.

Qin Ling is a faculty member at the New School for Music Study. She has a combination of administrative background and piano teaching and performing experiences. She is passionate about working with diverse learners, engaging communities, and connecting Chinese and American piano pedagogy field.

Makayla is a music teacher, computer programmer, and everything in between! Her strengths are in writing, editing, research, organization, and communication, allowing her to fit in almost any capacity. She currently serves as administrative support for the Frances Clark Center.

Yuan is an active pianist, organist, chamber music performer, and teacher. Having been teaching the piano for over ten years, she enjoys leading students from various backgrounds to explore the music world. She is finishing her doctoral degree in Piano Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Lorena Gonzalez Brougher has been teaching piano for over twenty years, sharing her love for music to students in Mexico and the United States. She holds a Piano Performance Bachelor from the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas in Mexico, and a Doctorate in Piano Pedagogy from The Catholic University of America.

Ísis Cardoso is a first-year D.M.A. candidate in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina, where she also serves as a teaching assistant. Her research focuses on Brazilian music and piano pedagogy.

Dr. Chee Hyeon Choi is an Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she also directs the UL Piano Institute Program. She has frequently presented her research and performed at national and international venues. Her presentations focus on topics such as group piano teaching at the collegiate level, music by BIPOC composers, and the integration of technology in piano education.

Born and raised in Japan, Azusa completed a bachelor’s degree in music therapy as well as master’s degrees in music therapy and piano pedagogy in the United States. Azusa teaches private piano lessons in Kentucky and works as a Japanese/English translator.

Dr. Hye-Gyung Ji is Professor of Music in Piano at South Plains College and Vice President of Lubbock Music Teachers Association. Her active performances and research on music wellness include a solo recital at Weill – Carnegie Hall and a keynote speech at the Piano Pedagogy Conference in South Korea. Her translation of Korean piano repertoire books in English is under peer review.

Jinkyung Kim, DMA in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina, is a dedicated piano instructor, church music director, and translator. She currently serves as Piano Instructor at Lone Star College in Houston, TX.

Argentinean-American pianist, Dr. Marcelo Lian is a sought after performer and clinician who appears in important stages (Carnegie Hall, Teatro Colon, Shigeru-Kawai Center Milan, Steinway Hall Rome, etc.). He’s proud of sharing his passion for teaching and languages with the Frances Clark Center.

Japanese pianist Yukino Miyake earned her DMA in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a research focus on piano works by Japanese and female composers. She currently serves at the University of Central Oklahoma as a collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and instructor of piano and harpsichord.

Dr. Rosângela Yazbec Sebba, Professor of Piano at Mississippi State University, coordinates the piano area and Community Music School. A Steinway Artist and award-winning teacher, she actively performs, teaches, adjudicates, and promotes contemporary music globally.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Dr. Rie Tanaka is praised for her “brilliant performance” (Central Japan Newspaper) and “lovely sensitivity” (Pioneer Press). She is an Instructor of Piano at the University of Arizona, and previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Macalester College, and MacPhail Center for Music.

Susan Yang maintains a multi-faceted career as a performer, pedagogue, and advocate for diversity in the arts. Yang currently serves on the piano faculty at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and Vanderbilt University. 

Anna Barrett graduated in May of 2024 from Manhattan School of Music with a B.M. in Musical Theatre. Though her passion for music has lead her to musical theatre, Anna has played the piano since she was 5. Her childhood piano/voice teacher, Mr. Graham, has inspired her to study music and live a musical life. Alongside performing, she now teaches piano and voice lessons in his memory.

Cameron resides and teaches piano in Tucson where he is completing a master’s of music at the University of Arizona. He received his bachelor’s in piano performance from Washington State University. Cameron is an experienced educator, writer, radio host, video producer, and arts advocate. His passions include skiing and photography.

Lindsay Bastian received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from BYU and is currently pursuing a DMA in piano pedagogy at Texas Christian University. She is passionate about excellence in teaching at all levels and maintains a full schedule of teaching and performing.

Anna is a second-year Ph.D. student studying Piano Pedagogy and Music Education at the University of Oklahoma. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and music and a master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy. She recently received her NCTM certification and has presented at MTNA and NCTM conferences.

As a Performing Artist, Pedagogue and Activist, Heather Hancock is passionate about the intersection of artistry and social justice. Currently, Heather is a DMA candidate (Piano Performance) at The University of Georgia where she is a Teaching Assistant. Her research explores solo piano works that directly engage social justice issues. As a collaborative pianist, Heather delights in exploring works by under represented composers as well as newly discovered and contemporary composers.

Rachael Hanis is a design major at Western Washington University graduating 2025. Her studies include motion, branding, packaging, typography, and UX/UI. Rachael is also a musician and started playing the cello when she was 12. Currently, she also plays a variety of other instruments.

Pianist Emily Blandon Kovar is completing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at the University of Georgia under Dr. Liza Stepanova, with prior degrees from Lawrence University (B.M., 2017) and the University of Georgia (M.M., 2020).

David Mach serves as Instructor of Collaborative Piano at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro Arkansas. David is an educator, collaborator, and musician who has received top prizes in competitions internationally. His research on the science of keyboard technique and diverse repertoire has been presented regionally and nationally.

Diana Maldonado is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio where she studied under Dr. Ivan Hurd. She currently runs a piano studio with students of all ages. She believes in the transformative power of music and aims to nurture a lifelong love for piano.

Nora Mello is pursuing a DMA in Piano Performance with a cognate in Piano Pedagogy at Texas Christian University. Additionally, Nora serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Music at Tarrant County College. Nora performs frequently as a soloist and chamber musician, and is passionate about teaching and conducting research.

Rachel Misheff is a Doctoral Candidate studying piano pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. She serves as the admissions assistant and an instructor for the university’s Center for Piano Studies. Rachel enjoys teaching and performing in a variety of settings and takes special interest in feminist musicology.

Le Binh Anh Nguyen is a Vietnamese pianist. He is completing a DMA at University of Cincinnati while working as an Education/Technology Consultant for Piano Marvel LLC. His scholarly activities include publications and presentations on topics of music technology, generative AI, sight-reading strategies, K-Pop, and Vietnamese music.

Asia Passmore is strongly passionate about researching and teaching African American music. She received her DMA from the University of Georgia where she studied piano performance and pedagogy. Currently based in New Mexico, she enjoys teaching, presenting, and performing.

Filipina Janna Peña is a dedicated pianist and pedagogue pursuing a DMA at the University of Michigan. She is committed to integrating diverse teaching philosophies into her piano instruction.

Cindy Sang is an incoming first-year PhD student in historical musicology at Columbia University. Her primary research focuses on music, race, and transnationalism in Central and Eastern Europe. Cindy is also an avid pianist and holds B.M. in piano performance and musicology, with Highest Honors, from the University of Michigan.

Charlene Shiu is currently a senior at the University of Maryland majoring in Communications as well as minoring in Business. In the past, she played the violin for about 14 years. Charlene loves music!

Samantha Simpson began studying classical piano at age five and currently holds her masters in Piano Performance. She serves as Adjunct Professor of Class Piano at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH and teaches a private studio of her own in Perrysburg, OH. She also enjoys accompanying fellow musicians and performing for local events!

Grace Sorenson graduated from UW-Milwaukee in May of 2024 with a B.A. in Music. She studied under Dr. Otwell. She is currently Minister of Music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, teaches piano lessons at St. John Vianney Catholic School, Brookfield Academy, and also maintains a private studio.

Molly Thomas began studying piano at age seven and has been passionate ever since. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. Her interests include contemporary compositions and promoting jazz study to students of all ages.

Justin Torzala is a composer, pianist, and designer based in Chicago, Illinois. He is currently pursuing a double major in composition and UX design at DePaul University. His music has been awarded internationally, with performances by the Vancouver Chamber Choir (Vancouver, BC), The Choral Project (San Jose, CA), and more.

Yiman Weng, with a BM from Capital University and an MM from Ohio State University, is a DMA student at Texas Tech University. She has received numerous accolades and awards for her research and musical achievements. Weng actively engages in academic and musical communities, presenting at prestigious conferences.

Gregory Worthley received his masters degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma and his undergraduate degree in piano performance from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He is currently a Post-Graduate Fellow at the New School for Music Study in Kingston, NJ.

Pamela D. Pike is the Spillman Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Associate Dean of Research at Louisiana State University. As an active researcher of pedagogical topics, she is a sought-after speaker and clinician. Pike has published articles, book chapters and full-length books, and is editor-in-chief of the Piano Magazine.

Craig Sale is a pianist, teacher, workshop clinician, adjudicator, author, and editor. For thirty years he served as Director of the Preparatory and Community Piano Program at Concordia University Chicago where he also taught university courses in piano pedagogy. He was a pedagogy student of Frances Clark and Louise Goss.

Olivia Ellis is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies and Chamber Music at Messiah University. She is the co-author of the blog creativepianoteacher.com and the Easy Piano Lead Sheets and Chord Charts series. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and enjoys performing in the Chiara Piano Duo. She holds a DMA in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Christensen is on the Piano Team for Roland. She is a frequent presenter for state, national, and international conferences, focusing on integrating technology into music lessons.

Dr. Yeeseon Kwon is the Director of Institutional Engagement for the Frances Clark Center and Column Editor for New Books, Materials, and Music. She is Associate Professor at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and Vice President of The College Music Society.

Canadian pianist Heather Lanners has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Brazil. Professor of Piano at the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University, she holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario, École Normale de Musique and Eastman School of Music. She is currently Recordings Editor for Piano Magazine.

Lesley McAllister, DMA is Professor of Piano and Director of Piano Pedagogy at Baylor University. She has presented at national and international conferences and been published in the Piano Magazine and American Music Teacher as well as publishing two books: The Balanced Musician and Yoga in the Music Studio.

Omar Roy currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. His research interests include practice efficiency, inclusive teaching, and narrativity in music. Dr. Roy earned the DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.

Jerry Wong has gained critical acclaim for performances as soloist, chamber musician and recording artist on the MSR Classics label. His masterclasses have led him to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan, as well as throughout the United States. Wong holds the position of Associate Professor of Piano and Co-Head of Keyboard at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Australia.

Rebecca C. Bellelo, NCTM, PhD, teaches applied piano and RMM classes to students of all ages in her studio, Piano Pathways. She currently serves as a Professional Affiliate faculty member at Louisiana State University, where she teaches piano pedagogy and group piano. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and webinars, and serves in state and local MTAs.

Dr. Andrea McAlister serves as Director of Digital Programming for the Frances Clark Center and a Senior Editor for Piano Magazine. Dr. McAlister is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Oberlin College and a member of the Yamaha Master Educator Collective.

Dr. Curtis Pavey is a pianist, harpsichordist, and educator. A performer of works from the 16th through the 21st centuries, he feels equally at home performing or teaching at the piano and the harpsichord. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Missouri.

Jessie Welsh, DMA, NCTM is Assistant Pedagogical Professor of Piano at Western Kentucky University, where she coordinates group piano, teaches piano pedagogy and accompanying, and directs the Piano Laboratory Program. Dr. Welsh holds five music degrees in piano pedagogy, piano performance, and music education. Her research, presentations, and publications have been featured by national conferences and journals.

Barbara Fast is Piano Chair and Director of Piano Pedagogy, coordinates the group piano program and teaches graduate piano pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. An active workshop clinician, she co-founded the Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy (GP3) Forum. She is the co-author of iPractice: Technology in the 21st Century Music Practice Room.

Alejandro Cremaschi is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research areas include pedagogical technology and Latin American music. He has recorded for the labels IRCO, Ostinato, Marco Polo and Meridian Records. His pedagogical edition and publication of Alberto Ginastera’s Doce Preludios Americanos for piano was published by Carl Fisher in 2016.

Rebecca Grooms Johnson, Ph.D., NCTM, is a nationally respected leader in the field of piano pedagogy. She is an independent teacher and has taught extensively at the university level. Active in the Music Teachers National Association, she has served as President of the Ohio MTA, National Chair of MTNA’s Pedagogy Committee, and national Certification Chair.

With performances described as “meltingly lovely”, “rippling clean” (Globe and Mail), and “with exquisite tone colors” (Fanfare Magazine), pianist Midori Koga has been featured as soloist and chamber musician throughout Canada, USA, Spain, China, Taiwan and Austria. Koga currently serves as Associate Professor of piano and pedagogy at the University of Toronto.

Scott McBride Smith is the Cordelia Brown Murphy Professor at the University of Kansas. A recognized leader in music education, his philosophical and cognitive approach, combined with a sense of humor, has made him an audience favorite around the world. His numerous practical initiatives to improve today’s piano lesson experience include the series American Popular Piano and the summer program International Institute for Young Musicians.