🎤 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.

🔥 Listen this bonus episode and learn:

• ✔️ How I prepare for interviews without bias
• ✔️ My approach to active listening & guest engagement
• ✔️ The secret to asking deep, thought-provoking questions
• ✔️ How I balance guiding the conversation without overshadowing my guest
• ✔️ Strategies for making interviews feel like stories—not just Q&A

💬 Which of these tips do you want to try in your interviews? Let me know in the comments! 👇

📌 Share this episode on your social media!

📣 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, educator, writer, and one of the leading figures in piano pedagogy.

What separates Graham is his extensive research in piano pedagogy and neuroscience, his empirical, results-driven approach, and his compassionate, student-centered teaching philosophy that transforms how pianists learn and perform.

Is Hanon still relevant? What about Czerny? How do neuroscience and modern practice techniques redefine piano pedagogy today?

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why repetition alone won’t lead to mastery—and what actually works
• How neuroscience helps train technique, memory, and musical expression
• Creative strategies for effective practice that go beyond scales and exercises
• Why a student-centered approach leads to better, more engaged learning
• The importance of feedback and reflection in piano training
• How to prepare for performance with confidence and expressive freedom
• A deep dive into traditional and modern piano techniques—including Neuhaus, Hanon, Czerny, and more
• Muscle memory alone isn’t enough—integrate aural and cognitive learning for mastery.

Stay Connected with Graham Fitch

• Practising The Piano
• YouTube Channel

Books & Courses Mentioned:

• 🈹 Subscribe yearly to Practising the Piano Online Academy and enjoy full, unlimited access to all materials—plus, save 30% compared to the monthly plan!
• 🎓 Piano Teachers’ Course UK
• 🎼 Finchcocks
• 📖 What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body – Thomas Carson Mark: 🔗 Get it here
• 📖 Tyranny of Tradition in Piano Teaching – Walter Ponce: 🔗 Get it here
• 📖 Rudolph Ganz Exercises Contemporary and Special for Piano: 🔗 Read here
• 📖 Heinrich Neuhaus – The Art of Piano Playing

Stay Connected with The Piano Pod

• Subscribe to TPP on Substack for free or unlock exclusive materials

💬 What are YOUR biggest takeaways from this episode? Drop a comment below, and let’s discuss!

🔥 Get Ready! Season 5 Episode 11 Trailer Just Dropped!

🎹 What does it truly mean to practice the piano with intention and mastery? 🧠🎶

Is it about repetition, discipline, or something deeper—an approach that harmonizes the mind, body, and artistry through the lens of tradition, cutting-edge neuroscience, and creative expression?

For Season 5, Episode 11 of The Piano Pod, I had the privilege of speaking with Graham Fitch —a pianist, educator, writer, broadcaster, and one of the leading figures in piano pedagogy. His extensive research spans historical traditions to groundbreaking neuroscience, reshaping how we think about piano practice, technique, and artistic interpretation.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of science, technique, and artistry, uncovering how pianists can practice more effectively, express more deeply, and perform with greater confidence.

Graham’s approach goes beyond repetition—he reveals how to practice with intelligence, purpose, and artistry, integrating technical mastery, cognitive science, and musical expression to unlock true potential at the piano.

🔥 READ MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE ON OUR SUBSTACK PAGE HERE.

🎧 Tune in on Tuesday, February 11, 2025: Watch the episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

🎉 Want early access to this episode? Tap HERE – Become a paid Substack subscriber and get exclusive early access to this conversation with Graham Fitch on February 10 at 8:00 PM ET—a full day before the official release!

#ThePianoPod #PractisingThePiano #PianoPractice #PianoTechnique #MusicEducation #ClassicalMusic #PianoPodEpisodes

📣 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, rebuilding her career and creating a groundbreaking platform that connects audiences to modern piano music. Her innovative work has featured over 500 composers and inspired countless listeners worldwide.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The concept and mission behind Moving Classics TV
• Anna’s experience rebuilding her career in a new country
• The process of selecting and curating contemporary piano works
• Trends in live piano performance formats and contemporary music
• Anna’s research on "Creativity Codes" and its connection to innovation
• Insights into thematic recitals like Aquarelle and Bach in Movies
• Her role as a performer for Candlelight Concerts and its unique appeal
• The challenges and rewards of freelancing as a concert pianist
• Anna’s vision for the future of classical music

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with an artist redefining classical piano music's boundaries.

Stay Connected with Anna Heller:

• 🔗 Moving Classics TV
• 🎥 YouTube Channel
• 🎵 Discover Creativity Codes

Piano Works Mentioned:

• Kris Lennox - Vapor Trail II
• Modern Piano - Serban Nichifor - The Circle
• New Consonant Music - Pietr Lachert - Cropelki
• Sergey Akhunov - Sketch VII "in memory of Satie"

Stay Connected with The Piano Pod:

• 💖 Subscribe on Substack for free or unlock exclusive materials
• 🎗️ Support Our Work: Make a donation
• 🚨 Latest News
• 🌐 Website

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

🎥 Enjoy the Trailer for Our Upcoming Episode feat. Anna Heller!

🎹✨ What does it take to redefine classical music for a modern audience?

🌍 In our latest episode, “Moving Classics TV: Redefining Contemporary Piano Music and Connecting Global Audiences Through Innovation," we sit down with Anna Heller, founder of Moving Classics TV, to explore her groundbreaking approach to connecting audiences with contemporary piano music.

Anna has spent 7 years curating 500 works by living composers, blending innovation, creativity, and humanity in every video. From the Candlelight Concert Series to her research on Creativity Codes, she’s leading the charge in making classical music accessible and relatable for everyone.

Want to know how she does it? Discover exclusive insights into Anna’s creative process, her vision for the future of piano music, and her strategies for reaching the broadest audiences.

📧 Head over to our Substack to unlock the story, including behind-the-scenes content and post-episode insights HERE.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from a true trailblazer in classical music. Let’s keep the music evolving together! 🎶✨

Episode Drops Tuesday, January 28, 2025:

• 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eXsCTLU_VIk
• 🎙️ Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio

🎉🎉If you’re a paid subscriber on Substack, you get an exclusive perk—early access to this episode January 27, at 8:00 PM ET, a full day ahead of its official release: https://thepianopod.substak.com/subscribe

#ThePianoPod #MovingClassicsTV #ContemporaryMusic #CreativityInMusic #ClassicalMusicInnovation #Substack

📣 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 spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performances worldwide.

In This Episode:

• 25 Concerts in 9 Weeks! Clare reflects on her whirlwind 2024 fall season, performing across 10 cities and 7 states.
• Billboard Breakthrough! Her debut album, …of Dreams Unveiled, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Classical Charts, blending works by Claude Debussy, Amy Williams, and Anthony R. Green.
• Champion of New Music! Clare has premiered 250 works and commissioned over 30 new compositions, redefining tradition with modern creativity.
• Forging Her Path. Clare shares how she built a thriving full-time performance career without teaching.
• Breaking Barriers. Insights on women in classical music, embracing vulnerability, and connecting with audiences.

📢 Special Announcement: Clare shares exciting news during this episode—you don’t want to miss it!

Clare’s journey is a testament to courage, vision, and innovation in classical music. Let her story inspire your artistic pursuits!

LINKS:

• Clare’s Ravel Piano Concerto: "Nights in the Gardens of Spain"
• Her album …of Dreams Unveiled
• Clare’s Performance of Amy Beach’s Variations on Balkan Themes
• For all other pieces mentioned during the episode, please check out our Sounds of Inspiration Playlist
• Clare's Carnegie Performance Tickets

Stay Connected with The Piano Pod:

• Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials on Substack
• Support Our Work: Make a donation
• Subscribe to Our Monthly Newsletter
• Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
• Website: https://thepianopod.com

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

🎹 HERE IS THE TRAILER FOR OUR INAUGURAL 2025 EPISODE: The Trailblazer and Extraordinaria, Clare Longendyke, Concert Pianist & Recording Artist

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Season 5, Episode 9 of The Piano Pod, “Redefining Classical Music: Innovation, Breaking Barriers, and Forging Own Path,” features 🎉 Clare Longendyke, an extraordinary concert pianist and recording artist who has forged her own path to redefine the boundaries of classical music!

Join us as we kick off the new year with an exhilarating episode showcasing Clare’s bold innovation, artistic vision, and dedication to reshaping the future of classical performance.

Here’s what to expect:

• 25 concerts in 9 weeks! Clare reflects on a whirlwind fall season, performing solo, chamber, and orchestral works across 10 cities and 7 states.
• Billboard Breakthrough! Her album, …of Dreams Unveiled, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Classical Charts.
• Champion of New Music! Clare has premiered over 30 new works, redefining how tradition meets modern creativity.
• Forging Her Path. Clare shares how she built a thriving, full-time performance career without relying on teaching, paving a new way for concert artists to flourish.
• Breaking Barriers. Insights on women in classical music, pushing boundaries on stage, and connecting with audiences through authenticity and vulnerability.

🚨🚨Special Announcement: Clare has an exciting surprise to share during this episode—you don’t want to miss it! 🚨🚨

🎧 Tune in Tuesday, January 14, 2025: Watch the episode on our YouTube channel..An audio episode will drop simultaneously on your favorite podcast platform.

🌟 Clare’s journey is a testament to the power of courage, vision, and innovation in transforming classical music. Let her story inspire you to reimagine possibilities in your own life and work!

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#ThePianoPod #ClareLongendyke #PodcastEpisode #ClassicalMusic #PianoMusic #WomenInMusic #NewMusic #PianistLife #ForgingYourPath #AuthenticityInArt #ClassicalMusicPodcast #BoldInnovation #ConcertPianist #BillboardCharts #ModernClassical #Trailblazer #MusicInspiration #ClassicalMusicCommunity #BreakingBarriers #ArtisticVision #MusicPodcast

We’re kicking off 2025 with a special bonus episode of The Piano Pod! In this episode, we feature the extraordinary José Navarro-Silberstein concert pianist and winner of the Kantuta Op. 2 Scholarship, awarded by our Sponsor of the Month, the Foundation for Bolivian Artists.

🎭 Mark Your Calendar Catch José's NYC Recital Debut at Merkin Hall on February 28, 2025, at 7:30 PM: 🎟 Get Tickets: Secure your spot for José’s recital HERE.

And 🎁 Don't Forget the Exclusive Discount Code only for TPP Listeners - you will find it in the episode!

🌟 Meet José Navarro-Silberstein

• Bolivian heritage meets extraordinary artistry
• Grand Finalist of the 65th Busoni International Piano Competition
• Preparing for his NYC Recital Debut at Merkin Hall on Feb 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM!

🌐 Visit The Piano Pod for more inspiring conversations at our website

💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription HERE

🎗️ Support Our Work through Donation

🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration Playlist (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations):

📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter HERE

Stay Connected with us: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod

#ThePianoPod #BolivianArtists #MerkinHall #ClassicalMusic #PianoRecital #podcastepisode

We’re kicking off 2025 with a special bonus episode of The Piano Pod—coming your way on Tuesday, January 7!

🎉This episode features the extraordinary José Navarro-Silberstein, concert pianist and the Kantuta Op. 2 Scholarship winner, awarded by our Sponsor of the Month, the Foundation for Bolivian Artists, Inc.

📅 Set a Reminder

The full version of this fantastic bonus episode premieres on Tuesday, January 7! Be sure to subscribe to The Piano Pod on your go-to podcast platform to get notified and be the first to explore!

👉Prefer video? The episode will also be available simultaneously in a video format. Join the broadcast on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/K1qeCbLT1kY!

Meet José Navarro-Silberstein

• 🌍 Bolivian heritage meets extraordinary artistry
• 🏆 Grand Finalist of the 65th Busoni International Piano Competition
• 🎹 Preparing for his NYC Recital Debut at Merkin Hall on February 28, 2025, at 7:30 PM

In This Bonus Episode, José Shares:

• 💡 How his Bolivian heritage shapes his artistry
• 💡 Insights into his fascinating recital program featuring works by Ginastera, Busoni, Villa-Lobos, and more
• 💡 What it means to perform at one of NYC’s most esteemed venues

Save the Date: José’s NYC Debut Recital, Kantuta Opus 2, at Merkin Hall on February 28! 🎫Get your tickets HERE. Don’t Miss It: TPP Friends and Listners' exclusive discount code will be revealed during the episode!

About Our Sponsor: The Foundation for Bolivian Artists, Inc. supports musicians of Bolivian heritage while preserving Bolivia’s rich cultural traditions. 🌎 Learn more and support their mission: https://bolivianartistfoundation.org

Share this episode's link with your friends and colleagues who love classical music via social media, and let’s support this fantastic artist together!🎹 Please tag The Piano Pod! Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod

✨ Don’t miss this exciting talent, culture, and artistry celebration!

#ThePianoPod #JoseNavarroSilberstein #KantutaOpus2 #BolivianArtists #MerkinHall #ClassicalMusic #BolivianCulture #PianoRecital #PodcastEpisode

🎉 The Piano Pod is Now on Substack! 🎉

Welcome to The Piano Pod! I’m Yukimi, a classical pianist, educator, and the Executive Producer of this global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music, broadcasting from the heart of New York City. Whether you’re a loyal fan or discovering us for the first time, I’m so glad you’re here!

For those new to The Piano Pod, here’s a little background: this podcast is a vibrant space where we explore the ever-evolving world of classical music, with a special focus on the piano. Since our launch in 2020, we’ve featured over 70 inspiring guests—Grammy Award winners, Steinway Artists, digital influencers, and neurodiverse specialists, to name a few. Together, we’ve delved into topics like inclusive piano literature, pedagogy, entrepreneurship, and audience engagement.

👉 Check out our exciting guest list here.

Support Our Mission!

Substack is an all-in-one platform where creators like me can connect directly with you, share exclusive content, and build a thriving community. By subscribing, you’ll get behind-the-scenes updates, early access to new episodes, and special perks designed just for our audience.

Your Substack subscription helps us create more of these meaningful conversations and support initiatives that uplift the classical music community.

Please subscribe The Piano Pod on Substack and become a paid member today: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe

This journey is about more than music—it’s about bridging the gap between classical music traditions and today’s world. If you share this passion, join us as we celebrate the beauty, complexity, and relevance of this art form.

🎵 Let’s make classical music vibrant, engaging, and accessible—together! 🎵

Warmly, Yukimi, Executive Producer for The Piano Pod

📣 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 pianist, Sophia made the daring decision in the 1980s to pause her flourishing music career and embark on a path in Information Technology. For over two decades, she excelled as an IT executive at prominent organizations like MetLife and Merrill Lynch, all while keeping her passion for the piano alive through daily practice, often during her lunch breaks on a Steinway.

In 2008, she returned to the world of music, reigniting her career as a concert pianist. Since then, Sophia has performed on international stages, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, released 11 acclaimed solo albums, and earned recognition as a Steinway Artist.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Her upbringing in a multicultural city in Ukraine, enriched by cultural influences that shaped her artistry.
• Immigrating to the U.S. in her teens and studying at Juilliard with the legendary Sacha Gorodnitzki.
• Her bold decision to pursue IT and her success in a completely different field.
• Re-establishing herself as a concert pianist after more than 20 years in IT.
• Sophia’s philosophy on preserving classical traditions while reaching new audiences.
• Her insights into balancing risks, career shifts, and the pursuit of excellence.

Sophia's story is one of reinvention, proving that passion can persevere through any career path and emerge stronger than ever with dedication. Her journey from IT executive to internationally celebrated pianist is as inspiring as it is extraordinary.

🎹 Tune in to hear Sophia’s incredible story and learn how she bridges two distinct worlds with grace and mastery.

[Sophia Agranovich - Steinway Artist]

🌐 Website

📺 YouTube

🎵🎵 Check out all the piano music mentioned in Season 5 HERE🎵🎵

[Meet Our Sponsor - The Compass Concerts]

🌐 https://thecompassconcerts.com

▶️ @thecompassconcerts

[ABOUT THE PIANO POD]

❤️❤️ Show your love and support for TPP: Donate HERE ❤️❤️

🌐 Official Site

📱 Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod