The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

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🎬 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 project
• Why beginner-level repertoire matters just as much as advanced repertoire
• How music education can empower identity, purpose, and joy
• Dr. Claiborne’s work through Ebony Music Inc. and Hal Leonard publications
• Her personal reflections on belonging, activism, and legacy

💫 Proudly sponsored by Juneteenth LP, celebrating 10 years of uplifting Black voices in classical music.

🎧 Join the premiere, Tuesday June 3 at 8:00pm ET: https://youtu.be/f-XnqhJ5gC8?si=58RkB8zT56wQlyWO

🎙️ Audio version: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio

✨ This is more than an episode—it is a call to action. Do not miss it.

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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

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

“It became vital to me to focus on a new way of looking at Bach’s music…” — Eleonor Bindman

Here 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 why Bach’s music still matters today.

From her bestselling Brandenburg Duets with Jenny Lin to her latest solo project ABSOLUTE, Eleonor is reimagining Bach for today’s musicians, making it more accessible, joyful, and alive for pianists of all levels.

We talk about:

• 🔹Why there’s no one way to play Bach
• 🔹The artistry behind her piano transcriptions
• 🔹Tips for navigating Bach’s polyphony, pedaling, and ornamentation
• 🔹Duets, collaboration, and musical connection
• 🔹The power of accessibility in classical music
• 🔹Her Stepping Stones to Bach series
• 🔹What does legacy mean as a 21st-century artist-educator

📆 Premieres Tuesday, May 20 at 8 PM ET on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

✨ Substack VIPs get early access to the audio episode, which is available one day before the official release on our Substack page. Because great conversations—and great music—should never have to wait.

We would love to hear what you think—drop us a comment or share your takeaways! And guess what? We have just two more episodes to go before wrapping up Season 5. Let’s finish the season with insight, inspiration, and a shared love for music.

#ThePianoPod #EleonorBindman #BachReimagined #ClassicalMusic #PianoPodcast #BachTranscriptions #PianoEducation #PodcastTrailer

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

🎉 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—stay tuned!

But the journey isn’t over:

🎹 New episode drops May 20 featuring Eleonor Bindman, whose authentic yet groundbreaking Bach transcriptions are changing how all audiences experience his music.

🎙️ Two episodes left in Season 5—including a special collaboration with Juneteenth LP, featuring phenomenal Black women artists Leah Claiborne and Maria Thompson Corley

📅 After a summer break, Season 6 returns in September 2025, continuing the themes of Authenticity and Joy—and adding new ones

🎶 And this October: The Piano Pod: Live in Concert debuts at The New School in collaboration with Mannes Prep—an unforgettable night of performance and storytelling, coming to both video and audio platforms!

👉 Check out the full finalist list:

https://www.quillpodcasting.com/qpa/quill-podcast-awards

🎥 Catch up on episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/@ThePianoPod

💡 Curious how this all started?

https://thecre8sianproject.com/blogs/news/amazing-asians-in-the-arts-yukimi-song

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep lifting up the voices, stories, and music that move us all. 💫

#ThePianoPod #QuillPodcastAwards #Finalist #BestVideoPodcast #ClassicalMusicPodcast #BachForEveryone #AuthenticityAndJoy #JuneteenthLP #MannesPrep #LiveInConcert #Gratitude

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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 and executive producer of The Piano Pod, I’ve learned so much—whether creating content, interviewing industry leaders, or building this platform from the ground up.

And I’m so grateful to all of you who’ve tuned in every other week, whether on YouTube or your favorite podcast platforms. Thank you for being part of this journey. The Piano Pod has inspired, challenged, and connected so many of us—and now it’s time to stand with this mission. Cast your vote today and help bring these stories to the world.

✨ Visit quillpodcasting.com/qpa/quill-podcast-awards to vote—it takes less than a minute!

Let’s show the world how powerful these stories are. Thank you so much for your support!

#Vote #semifinalist #quillpodcastawards #thepianopod

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

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

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

🎬 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 Mikołaj Górecki’s evocative, avant-garde, and technically demanding piano works—music far less known than his famous Symphony No. 3, yet equally powerful.

You’ll also hear personal stories of the composer from Anna, his daughter, offering rare insight into the man behind the music.

🎶 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation—and don’t miss their album, Górecki’s World of Piano, streaming now on Spotify and all major platforms: https://atmaclassique.com/produit/goreckis-world-of-the-piano/

• 📺 Premieres tonight, May 6, at 8 pm ET on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AETRZf_TGN4?si=-nCDwknvLc5jTcKW
• 🎧 Audio episode also available simultaneously on your favorite podcast platforms: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio

See you tonight!!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

“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

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

🎬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, 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.

📅 Premieres Tuesday, April 22 at 8:00 PM ET

• 🎥 Watch here on YouTube
• 🎧 Audio also available wherever you listen to podcasts

😎For our VIP Substack members, the full audio episode will be accessible tonight, Monday, April 22, at 8:00pm ET!

📝 Read more on our Substack blog

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a new episode!

#ThePianoPod #MollyGebrian #LearnFasterPerformBetter #NeuroscienceAndMusic #MusicEducation #PracticeSmarter #InterleavedPractice #PerformancePsychology #Neurodiversity #MentalPractice #MusicPodcast

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

🎶 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
• 🎗️ Support Our Work: Make a donation
• 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations): Stay Connected:
• 🚨 Latest News
• 🌐 Website