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 conversation that is as multifaceted as her artistry. From performing her compositions to championing music by Black composers and writing novels and librettos, Dr. Corley shares how her lived experiences—as a mother, artist, and scholar—fuel a profoundly human and inclusive vision for classical music and beyond.

💡 In this episode, we explore:

• ✅ What true inclusion looks like in classical music today
• ✅ How Dr. Corley integrates underrepresented composers into mainstream repertoire
• ✅ Her experiences raising two creative children, one of whom is neurodivergent
• ✅ Writing opera, novels, and poetry as extensions of her voice
• ✅ Co-founding Silence-Optional concerts for sensory-sensitive audiences
• ✅ Her reflections on legacy, authenticity, and creative purpose

Whether you are a musician, educator, or listener seeking a deeper connection through music, this conversation will move you, challenge you, and expand your sense of what classical music can be.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Corley:

• 🌐 Website
• 📘 Facebook
• 📷 Instagram

📰 The Piano Pod Links

• 🎧 Sounds of Inspiration (Season 5) - all the music mentioned
• 📝 Substack VIP Access
• 🎁 Make a Donation: https://bit.ly/3EsvRDg
• 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com
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• 🎵 TikTok: /thepianopod

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 the 100 Works by Black Composers project to her publications and courses on inclusive teaching, Dr. Claiborne is shaping the future of music education through artistry, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

🎹 In this episode, we explore:

• ✅ The groundbreaking 100 Works by Black Composers project (Sphinx Venture Fund)
• ✅ Why beginner repertoire is where real change begins
• ✅ How identity and community shape pedagogy
• ✅ Tools for teachers committed to diversity and inclusion
• ✅ Her musical journey—from a jazz-rooted upbringing to classical advocacy

Whether you are a piano teacher, student, performer, or arts leader, this conversation will leave you inspired, challenged, and equipped to make classical music more inclusive and representative.

Connect with Dr. Claiborne:

• 🌐 Website
• 🌐 Ebony Music Inc

Dr. Claiborne’s Publications – Expanding the Repertoire (Hal Leonard):

• 🔹 Level 1
• 🔹 Level 2

About Our Sponsor — Juneteenth LP

Founded by pianist and cultural leader Dr. Nnenna Ogwo, Juneteenth LP is now in its 10th year of celebrating Black classical musicians through transformative performances, education, and community events. From their annual concert at Joe’s Pub to their ongoing advocacy, Juneteenth LP is helping to reshape the future of classical music through the lens of heritage, liberation, and joy.

🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe to The Piano Pod for more conversations at the intersection of artistry, equity, and innovation in classical music.

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 ABSOLUTE—featuring beautifully idiomatic piano transcriptions of Bach’s Lute Suites—Eleonor’s artistry invites musicians and listeners of all levels to discover the joy, depth, and brilliance of Bach.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why she believes “there is no one way to play Bach”
• Her transcription philosophy and creative process
• Advocating for accessible classical music—without compromising quality
• How piano duets can foster collaboration, joy, and musicianship at every stage
• Tips for navigating polyphony, articulation, pedaling, and ornamentation in Bach’s keyboard works
• Her Stepping Stones to Bach series and empowering adult amateurs and young students alike
• Legacy, innovation, and what it means to be a 21st-century artist-educator

🎧 Whether you are a teacher, performer, or passionate amateur, this episode is packed with insights, artistry, and heart.

[Eleonor Bindman]

• Website
• Spotify:
• 🎹 Prelude, BWV 998 (from ABSOLUTE)
• 🎹 Stepping Stone Excerpt
• 🎹 Four-hand Orchestra Suite
• 🎹 Brandenburg Concerto
• 🎹 Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 - I. Prelude
• 🎹 Allegro from Prelude, Fugue and Allegro BWV 998

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 their new album, Górecki’s World of Piano—featuring the first-ever recording of an unpublished Górecki piano work—and what it means to honor a legacy while creating something new. Along the way, we reflect on Górecki’s profound impact, his voice as a composer, and the responsibility of carrying forward a family and cultural tradition through music.

This conversation isn’t just about music; it’s about mentorship, intergenerational collaboration, identity, history, and what it truly means to be a classical musician today.

🎧 Don’t miss this rare conversation at the intersection of legacy, artistry, and collaboration. 📖 Read the full story

👉 Support The Piano Pod and get early access by becoming a VIP member!

[Links for This Episode]

• 🎵Jarred and Anna’s New Album, Gorecki’s World of the Piano: https://atmaclassique.com/produit/goreckis-world-of-the-piano/
• 🎹 Jarred Dunn
• 🎹 Anna Górecka

[The Piano Pod]

1. 🎗️ Support Our Work: Make a donation
2. 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations)

Stay Connected:

🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod

“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 practice.

Together, we explore why the illusion of mastery fools us, how interleaved practice transforms learning, and why breaks and sleep are not just helpful but essential to progress. Molly breaks down the science behind habit formation, memory systems, mental practice, and performance consistency, offering musicians practical tools backed by decades of cognitive research.

Whether you’re a student struggling with frustration, a teacher eager to support diverse learners, or a professional performer looking to sharpen your edge, this episode is for you.

🧠 Get ready to rethink the way you practice, teach, and perform.

📝 Read more about Dr. Gebrian on our Substack blog.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

[Dr. Molly Gebrian]

• 🌐Website
• 📱Instagram
• ▶️ YouTube

[The Piano Pod]

• 💖 Support Our Work on Substack
• 🎗️ Support Our Work by Donation
• 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration Playlist (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations)

Stay Connected:

• 🚨 Latest News
• 🌐 Website

🎶 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 Indian ragas, Western classical traditions, Sufi mysticism, and modern jazz into something entirely her own.

🌍 From growing up across four continents to discovering jazz later in life, Charu shares the personal and artistic journey that led her to create genre-defying albums like The Book of Ragas, Ragas & Waltzes, and her latest, Rags and Ragas, featuring legends such as John Patitucci and Steve Gadd.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🎶 What makes a raga unique—and how it compares to jazz and classical music
• 🎶 The healing power of raga-based improvisation
• 🎶 Her journey as a South Asian woman in jazz
• 🎶 Grief, creativity, and composing through personal loss
• 🎶 Her legacy and vision for a more inclusive music industry

📺🎧 Do not miss this episode—experience how Charu reimagines musical traditions with depth, innovation, and heart.

✨ VIP Substack subscribers get exclusive perks and behind-the-scenes content - HERE.

[Charu Suri]

• 🌐Website
• 📺YouTube
• 💚Spotify

[Links]

• ▶️ RAGA No. 1 (Bhimpalas, Kirwani) by Charu Suri
• ▶️ Verona Waltz (RAGAS & WALTZES by Charu Suri)
• ▶️ FRENCH QUARTER (Raga Charukesi) for NPR Tiny Desk 2024 Contest:

[The Piano Pod]

• 💖 Support Our Work on Substack
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• 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations): Stay Connected:
• 🚨 Latest News
• 🌐 Website

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 traditions.

From the expressive genius of Albéniz, Granados, and de Falla to the rich cultural legacy of Puerto Rican composers, José shares his insights on interpreting this repertoire with authenticity and heart. He reflects on his journey from Puerto Rico to Juilliard, the mentorship of Alicia de Larrocha, and his ongoing mission to mentor the next generation of pianists through meaningful cultural connection.

🎶 In this episode, we discuss:

• The influence of ethnomusicologist Felipe Pedrell on Spanish composers
• The improvisational nature of Granados’ music
• José’s reflections on Alicia de Larrocha’s legacy
• The 10th anniversary of the Puerto Rico International Piano Festival
• Latin American composers like Manuel Tavares, Ignacio Cervantes, and Roberto Sierra
• The importance of embracing cultural identity in piano education

Whether you are a pianist, music educator, or classical music enthusiast, José’s wisdom and passion will inspire and enlighten you.

👉👉 Learn more about this episode HERE. 👈👈

✨ VIP Substack subscribers get early access to the audio version: subscribe here.

🗣️ I’d love to hear your thoughts. How has Spanish or Latin American music influenced your musical path? Leave a comment and join the conversation!

[Jose Ramos Santana]

• Website
• Puerto Rico International Music Festival

Watch José Ramos Santana perform Evocación from Iberia, Book 1 by Isaac Albéniz

[The Piano Pod]

• Support Our Work: Make a donation
• Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations)
• Latest News
• Website
• Instagram

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 signature piano works, including Reminiscences of Childhood and his 24 Études, explore the inspiration behind his Shirim collection, and discuss his collaborations with legendary musicians like Vladimir Ashkenazy. His insights into the challenges of composing for piano, the storytelling power of music, and his artistic legacy make this an episode you won’t want to miss!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• 🔹 Defining artistry, mission, and passion
• 🔹 The piano as a powerful medium of expression
• 🔹 Signature piano works: Reminiscences of Childhood & Études
• 🔹 Shirim: Bringing sophisticated music to all pianists
• 🔹 The making of Borenstein’s Piano Concerto
• 🔹 His greatest influence: His father, painter Alec Borenstein
• 🔹 Collaborating with Vladimir Ashkenazy
• 🔹 Legacy, storytelling, and the composer’s role today

All the pieces mentioned in the episode are listed in this playlist.

💬 What does music mean to you? How do you connect with a composer’s storytelling? Let’s discuss in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe & hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on more inspiring conversations with the world’s leading musicians.

[The Piano Pod]

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