The Frances Clark Center proudly announces the recipients of its 2026 Community Impact Grants, recognizing community leaders and organizations whose innovative projects are expanding access to piano education and strengthening communities across the United States. Supported by the Elvina Pearce Education Fund, the Community Impact Grant invests in projects that expand access to piano education, foster inclusion, and strengthen communities through music.
Selected through a national review process, this year’s recipients represent a diverse range of initiatives that expand access to piano education and serve the needs of their communities. Their projects expand opportunities for underserved children, neurodiverse learners, veterans and military families, Indigenous communities, foster youth, and rural populations while strengthening partnerships with schools, universities, libraries, and community organizations. Together, they reflect the many ways piano education can build connection, belonging, and lifelong learning.
“In alignment with our mission, we are honored to partner with individuals and organizations across our community that are leading meaningful impact through piano education. We recognize this year’s Community Impact Grant recipients for their inspiring work, innovative vision, and unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of students and strengthening communities through the transformative power of music.” said Dr. Jennifer Snow, President and CEO of The Frances Clark Center.
2026 Community Impact Grant Recipients
Eden Esters Brown (Project OpenKey, Gallatin, Tennessee) will expand Project OpenKey, providing free weekly group piano instruction for children through a partnership with the Gallatin Shalom Zone. By removing financial barriers, the program creates new opportunities for historically underserved youth while fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong engagement with piano study.
Tracy Cowden and Ivan Hurd (The University of Texas at San Antonio) will support the On-Corps Piano program, introducing veterans and their spouses to piano through free beginning-level group classes that encourage lifelong engagement with music in a supportive community.
Ting Ting Goh (Texas Tech University and Roscoe Wilson Elementary School, Lubbock, Texas) will expand an after-school piano program that provides elementary students with weekly instruction, performance opportunities, and mentorship from collegiate piano students.
Sabrina Hu (Hammer & Strings Academy, Gilbert, Arizona) will expand the H&S Academy Piano Lab, a free year-round after-school program providing piano instruction for foster youth, children from low-income families, and students attending Title I schools.
Denise Lucio (Many Farms High School, Many Farms, Arizona) will bring Navajo pianist and composer Connor Chee to students through workshops, school visits, and performances celebrating Indigenous music, storytelling, and piano education.
Priyeshni Perera (Eastern Connecticut) will launch the Rural Piano and Music Literacy Workshop Series, bringing free piano instruction and music literacy education to children, youth, and adults through partnerships with local libraries and community centers.
Derek Polischuk (Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan) will expand Celebrating the Spectrum: A Festival of Music and Life, creating additional opportunities for neurodiverse students through individualized instruction, collaborative music-making, performance, and mentorship.
Ross Salvosa (Concordia Arts & Music Academy, Tukwila, Washington) will expand the Music Inspires Communities Project, providing tuition-free group piano instruction and scholarships for children from underserved communities who might not otherwise have access to piano lessons.
The 2026 Community Impact Grant recipients will be recognized during The Piano Conference: NCKP Online, where attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about these inspiring projects and the communities they serve.
The Frances Clark Center congratulates this year’s recipients and looks forward to seeing the lasting impact these innovative projects will have in communities across the country.
For more information about the Community Impact Initiative, visit pianoinspires.com/impact-grants.
MORE ON THE COMMUNITY IMPACT INITIATIVE
- PAGE: Community Impact Grants Initiative
- PRESS RELEASE: Frances Clark Center Awards Inaugural Community Impact Grants Initiative to Support Inclusive Piano Education
- 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 Fanaralia Lopez and Luiz Sanchez
- WEBINAR: Community Impact – Stride: Pacing Progress & Sustaining Momentum with Leah Claiborne
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