Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers
PRESS RELEASE: 10 JANUARY 2025
The Frances Clark Center is pleased to announce our new publication Weaving Sounds: Elementary Piano Pieces by Native and Indigenous Composers, compiled and edited by Connor Chee and Renata Yazzie. This collection of beginner piano repertoire is written by the vibrant and diverse voices of Native and Indigenous composers from the Diné, Mohawk, Anishinaabe, Cree, Blackfoot, Jicarilla Apache, Choctaw, and Mohican communities.
“As a Diné musician, this collaboration with the Frances Clark Center holds profound meaning for me. Growing up, there were Indigenous musicians creating incredible work, some of whom I’m honored to call colleagues today, but their contributions weren’t widely represented. This project changes that—not just by showing Native pianists that they belong in the world of piano, but by offering the world, for the first time, authentic pieces by Native composers from diverse tribes. These are not the stereotypical caricatures created by non-Native composers in the past, but works that share the richness and diversity of our heritage. It’s a step toward greater understanding and appreciation of who we truly are.” – Connor Chee
“Historically, piano literature, including pedagogical works, have glaringly omitted the voices of Indigenous composers and their music. From the time I was a young Diné piano student until I began teaching other young Diné musicians, the available repertoire remained relatively unchanged, until now. Ahéhee’ nitsaago—many thanks—to the folks involved in this project who are committed to elevating and sustaining Indigenous voices within music education and by doing so, are encouraging Native musicians in their own educational journeys. The pieces in this book offer a sonic tapestry that weave together Indigenous knowledges and histories, the contemporary livelihood of our ways, and our hope for the future in an accessible and engaging manner for beginner pianists of all backgrounds.” – Renata Yazzie
“We express our sincerest gratitude to this outstanding group of Native artists. Weaving Sounds is a transformative publication for elementary-level piano students. Through the beauty of the compositions, images, and text, students and teachers can authentically explore the music and culture of Native and Indigenous composers from diverse tribes. Supported in part by an NEA grant, we will distribute 1000 free copies of this meaningful publication to students in Indigenous communities. We are deeply honored by this collaboration and thank everyone involved, especially Connor Chee and Renata Yazzie for their dedicated work and leadership.” – Jennifer Snow, President and CEO, The Frances Clark Center
Each piece included in Weaving Sounds is a unique expression of the composers’ cultural roots and personal artistry, offering a tapestry of sounds that are both accessible to beginners and deeply meaningful. The pieces are presented in order of progressive difficulty and include information about the composers and their communities as well as duet parts. Colorful artwork by Diné artist Caitlin Begay accompanies each piece.
Weaving Sounds seeks to build a deeper understanding of Native and Indigenous culture through music study. The Frances Clark Center is dedicated to advancing the art of piano education and amplifying the transformative power of music making in the life of every person regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. We believe in access to music education as a human right for all learners, in the lifelong benefits of music education and its ability to cultivate a love for learning and personal growth, and in supporting teaching artists who inspire students to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. Learn more about us at pianoinspires.com.
We invite you to explore and purchase Weaving Sounds today by visiting pianoinspires.com/publications/weavingsounds. For more information on distribution of free copies for students in Indigenous communities, bulk orders, or other questions, email teachereducation@francesclarkcenter.org.
This book is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.