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The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
The Piano Pod is a biweekly podcast that explores the world of classical music with a special focus on the piano. Host Yukimi Song, a classical pianist and educator from New York City, engages in in-depth conversations with guests who are breaking new ground in the classical music industry. The show aims to nurture a global community around the piano, embracing innovation and contemporary approaches to keep classical music relevant and vibrant for 21st-century audiences. Each episode seeks to connect tradition with the future, presenting beautiful classical music in a fun and engaging way.
Episodes
Spirit, Body, and Soul: Pianist & Composer David Berry on Virtuosity, Creativity, and Artistic Identity
How do we bring our full musical selves to the stage?In this Season 6 finale of The Piano Pod, concert pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and artistic leader David Berry joins host Yukimi Song for a rich and deeply personal conversation on virtuosity, improvisation, composition, contemporary music, artistic identity, and the connections that unite seemingly different musical worlds.A graduate
Sound Liberation: Joe Williams on Black Artistry, Legacy & Belonging in Concert Music
What does it mean to become a "Sound Liberator"?In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, composer, educator, filmmaker, scholar, and advocate Joe Williams joins host Yukimi Song for a wide-ranging conversation on artistry, legacy, belonging, improvisation, education, and the evolving landscape of concert music.Currently pursuing a PhD in composition at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, William
Beyond Borders: From Argentina to Poland to Texas—Oscar Macchioni reflects on a life in music
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by Steinway Artist, pianist, and pedagogue Dr. Oscar Macchioni.Born in Argentina, shaped by years of study in Poland, and now serving as Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of North Texas, Macchioni reflects on a life in music that moves across borders — culturally, intellectually, and artistically.A central focus of this conversa
Music As Witness feat. Concert Pianist, Anna Shelest
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by concert pianist Anna Shelest.Her work spans major orchestral collaborations, recording projects, and repertoire advocacy — but this conversation centers on her latest album A Romantic from Kharkiv; Music of Sergei Bortkiewicz and the deeper artistic and cultural meaning behind it.Together, we explore how music becomes a form of testimony — shaped
Joy Luck Trio -- Groundbreaking Pipa-Erhu-Piano Trio
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we welcome Joy Luck Trio — a newly formed ensemble bringing together pianist Donna Weng Friedman, pipa virtuoso Gao Hong, and erhu virtuoso Karen Han-Ottosson.Together, these three Chinese-American artists unite piano, pipa, and erhu in a rare chamber collaboration rooted in heritage and shaped by contemporary expression.In this conversation, we explore how the tr
The Sound of Perseus feat. Composer & Conductor Michael Ostrzyga
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by composer, conductor, & Music Director at Univeristy of Cologne, Michael OstrzygaHis work spans composition, conducting, editorial scholarship, and large-scale projects — but this conversation centers on his piano writing, especially his recent solo album Perseus.Together, we explore how music begins — whether from structure, memory, or sound i
The Infinite Staircase feat. Concert Pianist, Han Chen
In this episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Han Chen joins TPP for a deep conversation about virtuosity, vision, and what it means to build something meaningful in today’s classical music landscape.Han Chen is a GRAMMY Award–nominated pianist known for his fearless approach to some of the most demanding repertoire in the piano canon — from György Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études to Beethoven’s
Accents of Love feat. Pianist and Singer-Songwriter, Vivian Fang Liu
Accents of Love: Vivian Fang Liu on Artistry, Belonging, and Music for the Next GenerationThe Piano Pod — Season 6, Episode 13In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer, educator, and music researcher Vivian Fang Liu joins host Yukimi Song for a powerful conversation about identity, creativity, and the role of music in shaping the next generation.Vivian Fang Liu is a cl
"Sapiens: A Human History at the Piano" feat. Sean Hickey, Composer
Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book. From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this episode explores what it means to create — and remain human — in a rapidly changing world. Performed by pianist Vlad
“Fearless Vision” Asiya Korepanova on Extreme Repertoire, Interdisciplinary Creation, and Artistic Risk
In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with pianist, composer, visual artist, and poet Asiya Korepanova for a wide-ranging conversation on extreme repertoire, transcription as a creative act, long-form artistic commitment, and what it means to think at scale as a musician today.Born into a deeply musical family in Izhevsk, Russia, and now based in the United States, Asiya’s c
Mirrors & Echoes: Aïda Lahlou on Ravel, Risk, and Reframing Tradition
In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with pianist, recording artist, and multidisciplinary creator Aïda Lahlou for an in-depth conversation on Ravel’s Miroirs, sound as physical reality, and what it means to build an artistic life through curiosity, risk, and purpose. At the center of the conversation is Aïda’s debut album, Mirrors and Echoes—a recording that places Ravel’s
Schubert Now: Storytelling, Connection, and the Road to the 2028 Bicentennial
In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with concert pianist and recording artist Ammiel Bushakevitz for a wide-ranging conversation on Franz Schubert, the German Lied tradition, and what makes 19th-century music speak powerfully to 21st-century audiences.Ammiel shares insights from his major long-term projects, including Schubert 200 — a multi-album Lied collaboration buildin
Bells of Nagasaki — Anli Lin Tong on Faith, Lineage, and the Artist’s Callin
What does a piano recital have to do with war, faith, and forgiveness?In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist and educator Anli Lin Tong shares the story behind Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation—a profoundly moving concert created for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.What began as a single song her father used to sing—The Bells of Nagasaki—became a powerful act of
Between Worlds: Mirna Lekic on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection
In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator Mirna Lekić for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.Born and raised in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and now based in New York City, Mirna brings a rare perspective to the piano — one shaped by resilience, migration, devotion, and an unshakable belief in music as a s
The Embodied Pianist: Elena Riu on Presence, Breath, and Artistic Freedom
In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher — whose work has reshaped how we think about artistry, embodiment, and the future of piano performance. Elena has long been a force of quiet revolution. Long before conversations about inclusivity and expanded repertoire entered the mainstream, she was comm
"This Is Jazz" 🎹 Pianist & Educator Quentin Walston on Jazz for Everyone
🎶✨ What if jazz could be taught as naturally as language—where freedom, creativity, and collaboration drive learning?Welcome to Season 6, Episode 5 of The Piano Pod, featuring Quentin Walston — pianist, composer, educator, and founder of This Is Jazz™. In this conversation, we explore how Quentin bridges performance, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship through his acclaimed book How to Teach Jazz &
🎬 TPP LIVE IN CONCERT REPRISE | Recorded Live at Mannes Prep, The New School
The Piano Pod Live in Concert: A Bold New Chapter in Classical Music marked the first-ever live event for the award-winning podcast and YouTube show The Piano Pod, conceived and hosted by Executive Producer Yukimi Song. Presented in collaboration with Mannes Prep, a pre-college music program offering comprehensive and nurturing pre-professional training at The New School, this milestone concert br
The World of MICROVIDS 🎶 Composer, Stefania de Kenessey on Music, Poetry & Love
🎶✨ How can nineteen tiny piano miniatures blossom into one of the most expansive, collaborative, and award-winning projects of our time? Welcome to Season 6 Episode 3: The World of MICROVIDS — Composer & Advocate for Women in Music, Stefania de Kenessey. In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Stefania de Kenessey, a composer whose works have been heard at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Cent
"Boundless Creativity" feat. Mada & Hugh Piano Duo on Love, Life, & Artistic Freedom
🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative?Welcome to Season 6 Episode 2: Four Hands, Boundless Creativity — Mada & Hugh, the Award-Winning Duo on Love, Life & Artistic FreedomIn this captivating episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă and Korean-American pia
Music Transforms -- Chad Lawson on creativity, healing, and human connection
🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives?In this special Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health. His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touched
Official Trailer: Season 6 Finale "Spirit, Body, & Soul" feat. David Berry
🎙️ SEASON 6 FINALE TRAILERHow do we bring our full musical selves to the stage?In the Season 6 finale of The Piano Pod 🎙, host Yukimi Song sits down with concert pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and artistic leader David Berry for a rich and deeply personal conversation on virtuosity, improvisation, composition, contemporary music, and artistic identity.A graduate of the Eastman School of Mu
Official Trailer: "Sound Liberation" feat. Joe Williams, Sound Liberator
🎙️ NEW TRAILER: Sound LiberationWhat does it mean to be a Sound Liberator?In our upcoming episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, composer, educator, and scholar Joe Williams reflects on artistry, identity, freedom, Black excellence, and the power of music to preserve histories and connect communities.“My responsibility is really to free people through my art.”A powerful conversation on belonging, auth
Official Trailer: "Beyond Borders" feat. Oscar Macchioni, Steinway Artist & Pedagogue
Here is the Trailer for: Season 6 Episode 18: Beyond Borders: From Argentina to Poland to Texas—Oscar Macchioni Reflects on a Life in MusicIn our upcoming episode, we welcome Steinway Artist and renowned piano pedagogue Dr. Oscar Macchioni.This conversation goes far beyond tango.Together, we explore: • tango as a universal concert genre • artistic labels and misconceptions • audience engagement an
Official Trailer: Season 6 Eps.17 "Music as Witness" feat. Anna Shelest
🎬 TRAILER — Music as WitnessWhat does it mean for music to carry memory?In this upcoming episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Anna Shelest traces her roots from Kharkiv, Ukraine—through forgotten voices and the music of women composers she continues to bring into focus.This is not about novelty. It is about identity, history, and a lifelong artistic search for voice.Throughout the episode, yo
Official Trailer: Season 6 Episode 16 feat. Joy Luck Trio
What happens when piano, pipa, and erhu come together in one ensemble?Tonight on The Piano Pod, meet Joy Luck Trio — Donna Weng Friedman, Gao Hong, and Karen Han-Ottosson — three acclaimed artists creating a bold new chamber voice rooted in heritage, virtuosity, and contemporary expression.In this powerful conversation, we explore the origins of the trio, the fascinating histories of the pipa and
Official Trailer: Season 6 Eps.15, The Sound of Perseus feat. Michael Ostrzyga, Composer
Here is the trailer for Season 6, Episode 15 of The Piano Pod. Guest: Michael Ostrzyga — Composer & Conductor In this episode, we explore his piano writing, centered around his album Perseus — a body of work shaped by structure, memory, and lived experience. In our conversation, we talked about: where music begins — sound, structure, or something more intuitive how memory finds its way into co
Official Trailer ✅: The Infinite Staircase feat. GRAMMY-nominated Pianist Han Chen
Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode with GRAMMY-nominated pianist Han Chen.From mastering Ligeti to building Infinite Staircase, this conversation goes beyond performance — into vision, risk, and creating something that lasts. 🎥 Premieres tonight at 8 PM ET: https://youtu.be/2JqDeHYSk58?si=QgFPTfWf0ch_7WBl 🎧 Audio: https://linktr.ee/thepianopodaudio Read Our Blog: https://open.substack.co
Official Trailer for Season 6 Eps.13 Vivian Fang Liu
Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode of The Piano Pod.Concert pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer Vivian Fang Liu joins us for a powerful conversation about music, identity, and belonging.From her award-winning children’s albums to cross-genre artistry shaped by classical piano, Vivian shares how her work brings together performance, storytelling, and education to empower the next gen
Official Trailer: "Sapiens - A Human History on the Piano feat. Sean Hickey
🎥 Here is the trailer for our new eps featuring Sean Hickey, Composer/Record Label Executive Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for the Piano — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book.From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this conversati
"Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship" Pavlina Dokovska on Pedagogy, Leadership, and the Mannes International Piano Festival
This surprise bonus episode was created in collaboration with Mannes School of Music at The New School.In this conversation, I sit down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — to explore what it truly means to build artists in today’s musical and cultu
Official Trailer: Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship feat. Pavlina Dokovska
🚨 Bonus Episode Drops TonightHere’s the trailer.Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship with Pavlina DokovskaWhat does it really take to build an artist?In this special collaboration, The Piano Pod sits down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festiva
Official Trailer: "Fearless Vision" feat. Asiya Korepanova, Pianist/Composer/Visual Artist
🎬 Official Trailer — Fearless Visionwith Asiya KorepanovaFor our upcoming episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with Asiya Korepanova — pianist, composer, visual artist, and poet — for a deep conversation on long-form artistic commitment, transcription as a creative act, and what it means to build a life in music shaped by depth, curiosity, and fearless vision.Asiya is known for her
Official Trailer ✅: "Mirrors & Echoes" feat. Aïda Lahlou
🎬 OFFICIAL TRAILER Season 6, Episode 10 Mirrors and Echoes — Ravel, Resonance, and Reframing Tradition What happens when Ravel’s Miroirs becomes the center of a much larger listening journey? In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Aïda Lahlou — UK-based, award-winning pianist and multidisciplinary artist — for an in-depth conversation on her debut album Mirrors and Echoes and the ideas
Official Trailer: "Schubert Now" Ammiel Bushakevitz on Storytelling, Connection, and the Road to the 2028 Bicentennial
🎬 OFFICIAL TRAILERSeason 6, Episode 9 Schubert Now — Concert Pianist, Ammiel Bushakevitz on Storytelling, Connection, and the Road to the 2028 BicentennialWhy does Schubert still matter today?In our first episode of 2026, I sit down with concert pianist and recording artist Ammiel Bushakevitz for a wide-ranging conversation on Schubert, the German Lied tradition, and why intimacy — not scale — may
Extra from Season 6 — The World of Microvids feat. Stefania de Kenessey
To close out 2025, The Piano Pod brings you a special year-end bonus episode featuring composer and storyteller Stefania De Kenessey. Earlier this season, we explored her MICROVIDS project; today, Stefania takes us behind the scenes of another major undertaking: her opera The Bonfire of the Vanities, based on Tom Wolfe’s iconic novel.In this conversation, Stefania reflects on the creative risks, s
Extra from Season 6 — Mada & Hugh Piano Duo on Creativity & Connection
✨ Happy Holidays, friends!This extra segment comes from Season 6, Episode 2 with the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo. Our conversation ran longer than expected, and while this part didn’t make it into the final episode, I couldn’t keep it from you — it’s just too good.In this excerpt, Mada & Hugh open up about creativity in its purest form:How hobbies and play can recharge usWhy music
Official Trailer ✅: "Bells of Nagasaki" feat. Pianist/Educator, Anli Lin Tong
The trailer for our upcoming episode is now live—and it offers a glimpse into one of the most reflective and quietly powerful conversations of this season.In Season 6, Episode 8 of The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and educator Anli Lin Tong for a deeply moving conversation about music as memory, faith, lineage, and moral witness.At the heart of this episode is Anli’s recent project, Bells of
Official Trailer ✅ "Between Worlds" Mirna Lekić on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection
Here is the TRAILER — Between Worlds: From Sarajevo to New York: A Conversation on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection feat. Mirna LekićThis week on The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and champion of new music Mirna Lekić for a conversation that moves between cultures, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of artistic identity. From Sarajevo to New York, we explore cult
Bonus Episode: Introducing the Zainichi Music Project
Happy Thanksgiving! In this bonus episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal — a part of my identity I’ve rarely spoken about publicly. I am a third-generation Zainichi Korean, born and raised in Japan, and I’m finally stepping into that history through a new creative initiative called The Zainichi Music Project, now sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts.This episode marks the begi
Official Trailer ✅: "The Embodied Pianist" Pianist Elena Riu on Presence, Breath, and Artistic Freedom
Get ready for our next episode of The Piano Pod: The Embodied Pianist with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher.In this powerful conversation, we explore embodied performance, somatics, breath, creativity, cultural identity, and even the menstrual cycle as a source of artistic insight. Elena’s work challenges long-held assumptions about what
Official Trailer ✅: This Is Jazz, Season 6 Episode 5, feat. Quentin Walston
In this trailer, get a glimpse into my upcoming conversation with Quentin Walston — a pianist, composer, and educator known for his joyful fusion of jazz, improvisation, and storytelling. In this episode, we dive into creativity, connection, and the spirit of collaboration that defines his work and the evolving world of modern musicianship.✨ Watch the YouTube Premiere: https://youtu.be/hYK86QGXxW0
Official Trailer ✅: "The World of MICROVIDS" feat. Composer, Stefania De Kenessey
🎶✨ How can nineteen miniature piano pieces transform into a boundless world of music, poetry, collaboration, and film?Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an extraordinary episode featuring composer Stefania de Kenessey and her latest project, Microvids. What began as small, intimate sketches during the pandemic has blossomed into her most expansive and personal work — brought to life through
Encore Conversations 1: Beyond the Keys & Radiance - Jeeyoon Kim on Love, Resilience, and Creativity
🔥 “Music isn’t just about playing the notes — it’s about living beyond the keys.”🔥Welcome to the premiere of Encore Conversations — The Piano Pod’s new series, where past guests return for short, powerful conversations about their latest projects and evolving journeys.To kick it off, I’m joined by Jeeyoon Kim — pianist, educator, podcaster, and now a two-time author. You may remember her from Seas
Official Trailer ✅ Encore Conversations Ep. 1 | Jeeyoon Kim — Beyond the Keys & Radiance
In this special premiere of Encore Conversations, The Piano Pod’s brand-new alumni series, I sit down with award-winning pianist, author, and educator Jeeyoon Kim. You may remember her from Season 3, where she inspired us with her originality, authenticity, and mission to make concerts deeply personal. Now she returns with her most intimate project yet — her second book Beyond the Keys and compani
Official Trailer ✅: "Four Hands, Boundless Creativity," feat. Mada & Hugh Piano Duo
🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative? Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an electrifying episode featuring the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their imaginative arrangements, captivating performances, and cross-cultural collaboration, Mada & Hugh a
Official Trailer ✅: "Music Transforms" Chad Lawson on creativity, healing, and human connection
🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives? In this special Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health. His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touch
Welcome to Season 6! Creativity & Connection
✨ Season 6 of The Piano Pod is here! ✨ This year, it’s all about Creativity and Connection — the messy, vulnerable, transformative stories behind the music. 🎹 We kick things off with an inspiring lineup: 🎶 Chad Lawson on September 9, 8:00 pm ET. Mădălina Dănilă & Hugh Sung — the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo, whose artistry and unique bond radiate joy, innovation, and cultural conne
The Fullness of Being: Dr. Maria Thompson Corley on Art, Inclusion & Creative Legacy
This episode is brought to you by Juneteenth LP — celebrating Black artistry and legacy in classical music. 🎉 Get Your Ticket: https://publictheater.org/performances-jp/2025/j/juneteenth-lp/🎹 What does it mean to live and create with authenticity?In this powerful season finale, we sit down with Dr. Maria Thompson Corley — pianist, composer, novelist, poet, educator, and advocate — for a conversati
100 Works, One Mission: Leah Claiborne - Yamaha Artist & Scholar
This episode is brought to you by Juneteenth LP — Celebrating Black artistry and legacy in classical music. 🎧 What if every child could see themselves in the music they study? In this robust conversation, Dr. Leah Claiborne —pianist, Yamaha Artist, educator, and founder of Ebony Music Inc.—joins The Piano Pod to discuss her mission to expand and redefine the classical canon. From her work on t
Bach Reimagined: Eleonor Bindman - Pianist, Arranger, & Recording Artist
In this inspiring episode of The Piano Pod, "Bach Reimagined - Artistic Innovation of Timeless Music for All Audiences," Eleonor Bindman - pianist, arranger, and recording artist - joins us for an intimate conversation about her groundbreaking work reimagining the music of J.S. Bach for solo and four-hand piano.From her bestselling Brandenburg Duets with Jenny Lin to her most recent solo project A
Inside the World of Górecki: Jarred Dunn & Anna Gorecka, Two Pianos, One Vision
What does it mean to carry a musical legacy forward—not through imitation, but through living artistry? In this powerful and intimate episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist-scholar Jarred Dunn and concert pianist Anna Górecka, daughter of the legendary Polish composer Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, to explore his emotional, historical, and deeply human world of music.We discuss the making of t
Neuroscience in Music Practice: Dr. Molly Gebrian - Violist, Neuroscience Researcher, & Author
“How many hours did you practice today?” If that question still defines your worth as a musician, this episode might just change your life.In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Molly Gebrian—violist, neuroscience researcher, educator, and author of Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing—joins The Piano Pod to challenge everything we thought we knew about
Reimagining Raga and Jazz: Charu Suri - Pianist, Composer, & Jazz-Raga Pioneer
🎶 In this episode of The Piano Pod, "Reimagining Raga and Jazz - Blending Indian Ragas, Jazz, and Classical Music," I sat down with Charu Suri—award-winning pianist, composer, and trailblazer—who is redefining what jazz can be through her original genre: Raga Jazz. As one of the first female jazz artists of Indian origin to perform at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Charu fearlessly blends Indi
Mastering Musical Heritage: Jose Ramos Santana, Steinway Artist & Spanish/Latin American Music Expert
In this episode of The Piano Pod, Mastering Musical Heritage—Exploring Spanish Piano Traditions and Embracing Puerto Rican Identity, I had the privilege of speaking with José Ramos Santana, a Steinway Artist and one of the foremost interpreters of Spanish and Latin American piano music. This conversation is a deep dive into the passion, heritage, and evolution of Spanish and Caribbean piano tradit
Composing with Humanity: Nimrod Borenstein, Internationally Acclaimed Composer & Conductor
In this episode of The Piano Pod, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nimrod Borenstein—acclaimed composer and conductor—about his remarkable journey in music. From his early days as a violinist to becoming one of today’s most celebrated composers, Nimrod shares his artistic philosophy, the evolution of his piano works, and the influences that have shaped his unique voice.We dive deep into his sig
Blurred Boundaries - Classical Meets Jazz: Ophelia Gordon, Concert Pianist & Recording Artist
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by the New York Piano Group. Find Your Piano Community with the New York Piano Group! 🔗 Learn more 🎶 Can a composer truly belong to both the jazz and classical worlds?In this episode of The Piano Pod, we sit down with concert pianist and recording artist Ophelia Gordon, a leading interpreter of Nikolai Kapustin’s music. Known for her seamless fusion of classical t
Practising the Piano: Graham Fitch, World's Leading Piano Pedagogue & Icon of Piano Magazine
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by the New York Piano Group. Find Your Piano Community with the New York Piano Group! 🔗 Learn more🎹 How can neuroscience and a student-centered approach reshape our practice and teaching the piano?In this episode of The Piano Pod, Practising the Piano – Neuroscience, Technique, Musicality, and Performance Mastery for Pianists, I sit down with Graham Fitch—a pianist
Moving Classics TV: Anna Heller - Leading Figure of Contemporary Piano Music
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by the Foundation for Bolivian Artists. 👉"Celebrate Culture, Discover Hidden Classical Gems, and Explore Bolivia's Talents!" https://bolivianartistfoundation.org/In this episode of The Piano Pod, we dive into the fascinating world of contemporary classical music with Anna Heller, founder of Moving Classics TV. Anna shares her journey from Siberia to Germany, rebuil
Redefining Classical Music: Clare Longendyke - Concert Pianist & Recording Artist
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by the Foundation for Bolivian Artists. 👉"Celebrate Culture, Discover Hidden Classical Gems, and Explore Bolivia's Talents!" Kick off the new year with an exhilarating episode with Clare Longendyke—an extraordinary concert pianist and recording artist redefining the boundaries of classical music. Celebrated for her “artistic ferocity” and innovation, Clare’s career
Virtuoso Reimagined: A Journey of Reinvention, From IT Executive to Steinway Artist with Holistic Vision - Sophia Agranovich
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by The Compass Concerts! "Start with Mindfulness, Perform with Heart: Discover The Compass Concerts' Unique Musical Experience!" 👉 https://thecompassconcerts.com.Multi-Award-Winning Virtuoso Pianist, Recording Artist, and Steinway Artist, Sophia Agranovich’s life is a remarkable testament to resilience, determination, and the enduring power of passion. A virtuoso p
Crafting Creative Paths: Exploring Brazilian Rhythms, Creative Coaching, and the Art of Self-Compassion, feat. Rebecca Hass
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by The Compass Concerts! "Start with Mindfulness, Perform with Heart: Discover The Compass Concerts' Unique Musical Experience!" This episode, “Crafting Creative Paths - Exploring Brazilian Rhythms, Creative Coaching, and the Art of Self-Compassion,” features an uplifting and insightful conversation with Rebecca Hass, a multifaceted artist whose work bridges music,
Healing, Heritage, & Musical Transformation: Yamaha Artist, Dr. Artina McCain
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by The Art Song Preservation Society of New York (ASPSNY)! "Immerse Yourself in a World of Art Song at the Summer of Song Festival 2025!" 🎶 Learn more about ASPSNY’s festival lineup, workshops, and registration options HERE. In this special episode of The Piano Pod, “Healing, Heritage, and Musical Transformation: Exploring Artina McCain’s Journey of Resilience, Ad
Dances, Improvisations, & Songs: Mark Markham - Steinway Artist & Improvisor
📣 This Episode is Brought to You by The Art Song Preservation Society of New York (ASPSNY)! "Immerse Yourself in a World of Art Song at the Summer of Song Festival 2025!" In this special episode of The Piano Pod, “Dances, Improvisations, and Song: Exploring Mark Markham’s Legacy and Journey of Passion, Artistry, and Deep Collaborations,” we welcome Mark Markham, acclaimed Steinway Artist, celebrat
Kaleidoscope: Championing Women feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro - Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composer
This episode is brought to you by Dr. Jon Skidmore and the Musician’s Path to Peak Performance team —helping artists conquer performance anxiety for over 30 years and shine under the spotlight. Visit HERE to learn more.We are thrilled to introduce the esteemed guest of Season 5 Episode 4, – Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro – International Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composers, and Champion of Glo
Soler and Arsenyan's World: Dr. Hayk Arsenyan - Award-Winning Pianist, Composer, Educator, & Scholar
This episode is brought to you by Dr. Jon Skidmore and the Musician’s Path to Peak Performance team — helping artists conquer performance anxiety for over 30 years and shine under the spotlight. Visit drjonskidmore.com to learn more.We are thrilled to introduce the esteemed guest of Season 5, Episode 3: Dr. Hayk Arsenyan—award-winning pianist, composer, educator, and scholar! 🙌In this exciting epi
Between Keys & Creativity feat. Jed Distler - Composer, Steinway Artist, & Radio/Podcast Host
This episode is brought to you by Keys 2 Success, bringing classical music opportunities to Newark and its surrounding suburban communities Visit their website to learn more.Curious about which episode has the most name drops? Look no further—this one with Jed Distler takes the crown!The Piano Pod had an exciting conversation with Jed Distler, composer, Steinway Artist, educator, and host of the r
Transcendent Musical Vision feat. Concert Pianist/Educator, Dr. Sara Davis Buechner
This episode is brought to you by Keys 2 Success, bringing classical music opportunities to Newark and its surrounding suburban communities Visit their website to learn more.We’re kicking off the new season of Joy and Authenticity with an incredible guest—renowned pianist and educator, Dr. Sara Davis Buechner! 🎹✨In this episode, titled "Transcendent Musical Vision," we dive deep into Dr. Buechner’
Intro to "Let's Podcast - Launch Your Pod with Purpose"
Thinking about starting a podcast—but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin? I created a mini-course for artists, educators, and independent creatives who want to build a podcast that feels authentic, intentional, and achievable. And this bonus episode is a FREE intro lesson. Inside, I’ll walk you through what to expect in my full course, share a bit of my story, and show you that you don’t need
Official Trailer ✅: Season 5 Finale "The Fullness of Being" Maria Thompson Corley on Art, Inclusion & Creative Legacy
🎬 Enjoy the official trailer for The Piano Pod’s Season 5 Finale! Episode Title: The Fullness of Being – A Grand Finale with Maria Thompson Corley on Art, Inclusion & Creative Legacy“ As we wrap up Season 5 of The Piano Pod, themed Authenticity and Joy, we are proud to feature a visionary artist whose life and work embody both. Dr. Maria Thompson Corley is a Juilliard-trained pianist, compo
Season 5 Bonus Episode: "Celebrating Juneteenth LP's 10th Anniversary" feat. Dr. Nnenna Ogwo
🎉 Bonus Episode – Celebrating Juneteenth with Dr. Nnenna Ogwo 🎉To close out Season 5 of The Piano Pod—our season of Authenticity and Joy—we are sharing a special bonus episode in celebration of Juneteenth Month.Dr. Nnenna Ogwo—pianist, educator, and founder of Juneteenth LP—returns to The Piano Pod (after her powerful appearance in Season 4, Episode 4) to update us on the evolution of her visionar
Official Trailer ✅: Season 5 Episode 19 "100 Works, One Mission," feat. Dr. Leah Claiborne - Yamaha Artist & Scholar
🎬 Here is the trailer for our next episode of The Piano Pod —featuring pianist, educator, and visionary Dr. Leah Claiborne!In this powerful Juneteenth month episode, Dr. Claiborne shares how we can create meaningful change in classical music—through daily action, inclusive pedagogy, and a reimagined canon that reflects all voices.🎹 What we explore: The groundbreaking 100 Works by Black Composers p
Official Trailer ✅: "Bach Reimagined - Artistic Innovation of Timeless Music for ALL Audiences" feat. Eleonor Bindman
“It became vital to me to focus on a new way of looking at Bach’s music…” — Eleonor BindmanHere is the trailer for the upcoming episode of The Piano Pod 🎙, titled Bach Reimagined: Artistic Innovation of Timeless Music for All Audiences, featuring pianist, arranger, and recording artist Eleonor Bindman. She joins us for a deeply personal conversation about her groundbreaking transcription work—and
The Piano Pod is officially a Top 3 Finalist for Best Video Podcast in the 2025 Quill Podcast Awards!
🎉 The Piano Pod is officially a Top 3 Finalist for Best Video Podcast in the 2025 Quill Podcast Awards! 🎉Out of thousands of shows across all genres, our little piano podcast has made it to the top—and it would not have been possible without YOU: our amazing guests, listeners, sponsors, and friends.Thank you for voting, sharing, and cheering us on! 💛🗓️ Final winners will be announced on May 27—sta
Vote for The Piano Pod - the Best Video Podcast Category for the Quill Podcast Awards!
Please vote for The Piano Pod HERE!Hi friends! The Piano Pod has been named a semi-finalist for Best Video Podcast in the 2025 Quill Podcast Awards! Today is the last day to vote and help bring classical music to the global stage (May 8, 2025). It’s been an incredible five years of dedication and hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of this incredible honor to be a semi-finalist. As the creator an
Official Trailer ✅: Season 5 Episode 17 - Inside the World of Górecki
🎬 Here’s the trailer for tonight’s episode: Season 5, Episode 17 – Inside the World of Górecki: A Conversation with Jarred Dunn & Anna Górecka ✨ In this rare and intimate conversation, we explore the journey from mentorship to collaboration between pianist-scholar Jarred Dunn and concert pianist Anna Górecka. Their newly released album, Górecki’s World of Piano, shines a light on Henryk Mikoł
Official Trailer ✅: Season 5, Episode 16 “Unlocking the Brain: Neuroscience in Music Practice,” featuring Dr. Molly Gebrian – Violist, Neuroscience Researcher, and Author
🎬Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode: Season 5, Episode 16 “Unlocking the Brain: Neuroscience in Music Practice,” featuring Dr. Molly Gebrian – Violist, Neuroscience Researcher, and Author “How many hours did you practice today?”If that question still defines your worth as a musician, this episode might change your life. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Molly Gebrian—violist, neuro
Official Trailer ✅: Season 5 Episode 14 "Mastering Musical Heritage" feat. Jose Ramos Santana
Enjoy the Trailer of The Piano Pod’s Upcoming Episode feat. Jose Ramos Santana! Finally! After a one-episode (2-week) delay due to technical issues, The Piano Pod is back with a powerful conversation! 🎬 Mastering Musical Heritage – Exploring Spanish Piano Traditions and Embracing Puerto Rican Identity featuring Jose Ramos Santana, Steinway Artist and one of the foremost interpreters of Spanish a
Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 13, "Composing with Humanity"
Here is the trailer of our upcoming episode feat. Nimrod Borenstein. In this episode of The Piano Pod, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nimrod Borenstein—acclaimed composer and conductor—about his remarkable journey in music. From his early days as a violinist to becoming one of today’s most celebrated composers, Nimrod shares his artistic philosophy, the evolution of his piano works, and the i
Official Trailer ✅: "Blurred Boundaries: Classical Meets Jazz" feat. Ophelia Gordon
I had an incredible conversation with Ophelia Gordon —concert pianist, recording artist, and one of the world’s leading interpreters of Nikolai Kapustin’s music—for Season 5, Episode 12! Ophelia’s artistry defies categorization. She seamlessly blends the rhythmic pulse of jazz with the technical depth of classical music—a rare and extraordinary balance. Her discovery of Kapustin’s music was a pivo
How I Conduct Meaningful Engaging Interviews
🎤 Want to become an excellent interviewer? Here’s how I do it!After conducting countless interviews with world-class musicians, educators, and industry leaders, I’ve developed a system that makes my interviews engaging, insightful, and natural.In this carousel, I’m breaking down my key techniques—from crafting unique questions to keeping the conversation flowing and handling challenges with grace.
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