Hello, Piano Pod friends and listeners! Today is U.S. Election Day, and we’re making a small adjustment to our usual release schedule. Instead of our biweekly episode scheduled for today, we’re taking a brief pause to encourage everyone to vote and stay engaged with the election.

Here’s what’s coming up:

• Season 5, Episode 5 with Mark Markham will now premiere on November 12th. Mark dives into the art of improvisation, piano technique, and his remarkable career as both a soloist and collaborator.
• Season 5, Episode 6, featuring Artina McCain, will follow on November 19th. Artina shares insights on advocacy, her support for underrepresented composers, and her dynamic approach to teaching and performance.

Thank you for your understanding and support! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss these exciting conversations. See you on November 12th!

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 Global Sustainability 🌍

In this exciting episode of The Piano Pod, Dr. Dobarro shares exclusive details about her brand-new solo album, Kaleidoscope—released on the very day of this interview! Isabel’s album is a beautiful collection of works by women composers from around the world. In this conversation, she delves into the stories behind the music, her advocacy for gender equality, and her mission to promote sustainability in the arts.

We also explored:

• 🎙️ Isabel’s passion for promoting music by women composers globally
• 🎙️ Her approach to programming that highlights musical diversity across cultures
• 🎙️ Challenges and progress in advocating for women composers in classical music
• 🎙️ Her impactful advocacy work, from iconic performances to speaking at the United Nations on sustainability and gender equality

[About Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro]

• 🌐 Dr. Dobarro’s Website
• 🌐 Dr. Dobarro’s New Album, Kaleidoscope

🎵🎵 Check out all other pieces here🎵🎵

[Meet Our Sponsor - Dr. Jon Skidmore, Musician’s Path to Peak Performance]

• 🌐 Website
• ▶️ Watch or Listen to Our Conversation with Dr. Skidmore HERE

[🎹🎙️ ABOUT THE PIANO POD]

• Listen to Our Mission Statement HERE
• ❤️❤️ Show your love and support for TPP: Donate HERE ❤️❤️
• 🌐 Official Site

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 episode, “Soler and Arsenyan’s World,” we explore his extraordinary journey from Armenia to Paris, Moscow, and finally New York City.

🌟 Dr. Arsenyan shares his deep passion for Antonio Soler, an often overlooked 18th-century composer, and his dedication to preserving Soler’s legacy through SolersWorld.com.

🎶 We also explore how his Armenian heritage has influenced his artistry, his early years as a violinist, and his experiences as a global concert pianist.

🎓 Dr. Arsenyan is a dedicated educator, running a thriving piano studio in Manhattan and mentoring the next generation of classical musicians as a professor at NYU Tisch.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• 🔹 Dr. Arsenyan’s scholarly work on Antonio Soler’s life, music, and contributions
• 🔹 Insights into performing Soler’s unique compositions
• 🔹 The inspiration behind his SolersWorld project, complete with concerts and masterclasses
• 🔹 How Armenian composers and cultural identity shape his performances
• 🔹 Dr. Arsenyan’s incredible journey across the globe as a pianist and educator
• 🔹 The story behind receiving the Evgeny Kissin Award and its impact on his career
• 🔹 Highlights from his remarkable performances around the world

This episode is packed with wisdom, authenticity, and joy you won’t want to miss! 💫

🎧 You can also listen to this episode on your favorite podcast platform!

[About Dr. Hayk Arsenyan]

• 🌐Dr. Arsenyan’s Research on Antonio Soler
• 🌐Dr. Arsenyan’s Website
• 📺YouTube

🎵🎵 Check out all the pieces mentioned during the episode HERE🎵🎵

[Meet Our Sponsor - Dr. Jon Skidmore, Musician’s Path to Peak Performance]

• 🌐Website
• ▶️ Watch or Listen to Our Conversation with Dr. Skidmore
• 📘His Book: Conquer Anxiety

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 renowned radio show Between the Keys.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Insider scoop on Between the Keys, Jed's 9-plus-year-running radio show on WWFM
• Jed’s wisdom on what makes a great recording and the importance of thoughtful programming
• His take on the future of CDs in the age of streaming
• From Mahler symphonies to innovative 4-hand piano literature, Jed’s creative performances stand out
• His take on balancing personal achievement with building community and lasting relationships
• Exciting new ventures like The Piano Maven podcast and his ambitious project composing 1,827 Bagatelles to honor Beethoven’s 250th death anniversary in 2027

This conversation is packed with the names of brilliant yet underappreciated composers of our time, along with wisdom, authenticity, and joy you won’t want to miss! 💫

💬 Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments and leave a review!

[About Jed Distler]

• 🌐Jed’s Website
• 📻Jed’s Long-Running Radio Show, “Between the Keys”
• ☢️Jed’s Podcast: “The Piano Maven by Jed Distler”

[Pieces Mentioned in the Episode]

• Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration Playlist: Piano works mentioned in Season 5.

[ABOUT THE PIANO POD]

Check out our Season 5 Intro Episode HERE.

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

• 🌐 Official Site
• 📱 Connect with us on social media

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’s extraordinary 40-plus-year journey as a trailblazing artist, discussing her brilliant piano technique, unique musical interpretations, and advocacy for lesser-known composers and the LGBTQ+ community. 🌟

Highlights from the episode include:

• Her reflections on celebrating 40 years at Merkin Hall since her NYC debut 🎶
• Her dedication to lifelong learning, constantly exploring new compositions by lesser-known and contemporary composers
• How she balances technical precision with expressive depth in her performances
• The lifelong process of mastering piano technique through the teachings of Alberto Jonás, and how continuous growth shapes her artistry
• The importance of sight-reading skills, which she honed as a Juilliard student, reading through piano scores in alphabetical order 📚
• Candid reflections on being a transgender artist and advocate, and how the classical music community has evolved in terms of diversity and inclusion 🏳️‍⚧️

This is a conversation packed with wisdom, authenticity, and joy that you won’t want to miss! 💫

💬 Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments and leave a review!

[About Dr. Sara Davis Buechner] 🌐 Website 📺 YouTube 📘 Facebook 🎧 Spotify

Celebrated for her "intelligence, integrity, and technical prowess" (New York Times) and "thoughtful artistry" (Washington Post), Dr. Sara Davis Buechner is one of the most original concert pianists of our time. A prizewinner at the Queen Elisabeth and Tschaikowsky Competitions, she has performed with renowned orchestras like the New York Philharmonic and graced iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

A dedicated educator at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music, Dr. Buechner is also a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility, using her platform to inspire inclusion and equity within the classical music world.

[ ABOUT THE PIANO POD}

Check out our Season 5 Intro Episode HERE.

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

• 🎬 Credits: Yukimi Song (Executive Producer/Writer & A/V Editor)
• 🌐 Official Site
• 📱 Connect with us on social media

Enjoy The Piano Pod’s Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 4: “Kaleidoscope: Championing Women” feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro – International Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composers, and Champion of Global Sustainability 🎹

We are beyond excited to welcome Isabel to our latest episode of The Piano Pod for Season 5, Episode 4!

The interview recording session took place on October 11, 2024—the very day of the release of Isabel’s new solo piano album, Kaleidoscope. She chose us, THE PIANO POD, to share the news exclusively! 🥳🎶

In this episode, Isabel dives deep into the inspiration behind Kaleidoscope, a stunning collection of works by women composers from around the world. 🌍 She shares what motivated her to bring their voices into the spotlight and the powerful message she hopes to convey through this incredible project. 🎶

We also explored:

• 🎙️ Isabel’s passion for promoting music by women composers globally
• 🎙️ The origin of the album title, Kaleidoscope, and the stories behind the pieces
• 🎙️ Her approach to programming that highlights musical diversity across cultures
• 🎙️ Challenges and progress in advocating for women composers in classical music
• 🎙️ Her impactful advocacy work, from iconic performances to speaking at the United Nations on sustainability and gender equality
• 🎙️ How she balances her roles as a pianist, activist, and international relations advocate

🙌 Get ready for an inspiring journey—from performing at Carnegie Hall and Teatro Colón, to using her platform to advocate for gender equality and sustainability in the arts.

Don’t miss this empowering conversation! 🎧✨

• 📅 Premiere Date: Tuesday, October 22, 8:00 PM ET
• 📺 Join the premiere via YouTube: https://youtu.be/UC5c4-Jl218🔗 Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/TPP2.0

#ThePianoPod #ClassicalMusic #Podcast #WomenInMusic #KaleidoscopeAlbum #ConcertPianist #UNAdvocate #GenderEquality #SustainabilityInMusic #IsabelPerezDobarro #UnitedNations #WomenComposers #WomenArtists

🎥Here is the trailer for Season 5 Episode 3, featuring Dr. Hayk Arsenyan, an Award-winning Pianist, Composer, Educator, and scholar!

In this exciting episode, “Soler and Arsenyan’s World,” we explore his extraordinary journey from Armenia to Paris, Moscow, and finally New York City.

🌟 Dr. Arsenyan shares his deep passion for Antonio Soler, an often overlooked 18th-century composer, and his dedication to preserving Soler’s legacy through SolersWorld.com.

🎶 We also explore how his Armenian heritage has influenced his artistry, his early years as a violinist, and his experiences as a global concert pianist.

🎓 Dr. Arsenyan is a dedicated educator, running a thriving piano studio in Manhattan and mentoring the next generation of classical musicians as a professor at NYU Tisch.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• 🔹 Dr. Arsenyan’s scholarly work on Antonio Soler’s life, music, and contributions
• 🔹 Insights into performing Soler’s unique compositions
• 🔹 The inspiration behind his SolersWorld project, complete with concerts and masterclasses
• 🔹 How Armenian composers and cultural identity shape his performances
• 🔹 Dr. Arsenyan’s incredible journey across the globe as a pianist and educator
• 🔹 The story behind receiving the Evgeny Kissin Award and its impact on his career
• 🔹 Highlights from his remarkable performances around the world

This episode is packed with wisdom, authenticity, and joy you won’t want to miss! 💫

• 📅 Premiere Date: Tuesday, October 8, at 8:00 PM ET
• 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform
• 📺 Join the broadcast on our YouTube channel

[About Dr. Hayk Arsenyan]

• 🌐Dr. Arsenyan’s Research on Antonio Soler
• 🌐Dr. Arsenyan’s Website
• 📺Dr. Arsenyan is on YouTube

👏👏👏👏 Check out all the 🎹 pieces mentioned in the episode here 🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵

[🎹🎙️ ABOUT THE PIANO POD]

• Watch our intro video of Season 5
• ❤️❤️ Show your love and support for TPP: Donate HERE ❤️❤️
• 🎬 Credits: Yukimi Song (Executive Producer/Writer & A/V Editor)
• 🌐 Official Site
• 📱 Connect with us on Social Media

.

🎉 Enjoy the Trailer for Season 5 Episode 2 feat. Jed Distler!

The Piano Pod had an exhilarating conversation with Jed Distler—composer, Steinway Artist, educator, and host of the renowned radio show Between the Keys, hosted by Jed Distler on WWFM. 🎹🎙️ In this episode, you’ll hear:

• 🔹The inside scoop on Jed’s 9+ year-running radio show Between the Keys
• 🔹 His wisdom on what makes a great recording and the power of thoughtful programming
• 🔹 Jed's take on the future of CDs in the streaming age
• 🔹 From Mahler symphonies to innovative 4-hand piano literature, his creative performances always shine
• 🔹 How he balances personal achievement with building community and lasting relationships
• 🚀 Exciting ventures like his new podcast The Piano Maven with Jed Distler and his ambitious project to compose 1,827 Bagatelles to honor Beethoven’s 250th anniversary in 2027

This conversation is packed with the names of brilliant but underappreciated composers, along with wisdom, authenticity, and joy you won’t want to miss!

• 💫 📅 Premiere Date: Tuesday, September 24, at 8:00pm ET
• 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform
• 📺 Watch on https://youtu.be/7gvv4W2Q_x8

[About the Guest] Jed Distler is a versatile force in the music world. As a composer, pianist, and educator, he’s known for his brilliant transcriptions of jazz legends like Art Tatum and Bill Evans and his innovative piano recitals featuring contemporary music. He founded ComposersCollaborative, Inc., setting a Guinness World Record in 2013 for the largest keyboard ensemble with 175 electronic keyboards. His solo piano CD, Fearless Monk, and extensive recordings for Spirio are must-listens. In addition to hosting Between the Keys, Jed launched his new podcast, The Piano Maven, in July 2024.

• 🌐http://jeddistler.com/
• 📻Jed’s Long-Running Radio Show, “Between the Keys”: https://www.wwfm.org/show/between-the-keys-with-jed-distler
• ☢️“The Piano Maven by Jed Distler”: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven/

[ABOUT THE PIANO POD🎹🎙️]

• Catch up on our intro video of Season 5
• ❤️❤️ Show your love and support for TPP: Donate
• 🎬 Credits: Yukimi Song (Executive Producer/Writer & A/V Editor)
• 🌐 Official Site
• 📱 Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/thepianopodnyc