The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
Yukimi Song
...where tradition meets innovation. Together, we bring PIANO into the FUTURE.a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano musicHey...
Season 5 Episode 12: "Blurred Boundaries: Classical Meets Jazz" feat. 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 technique with jazz freedom, Ophelia shares her journey of trusting her instincts, finding her voice, and redefining musical boundaries.Topics We Explore:Trusting Yourself – The journey of self-discovery and staying authentic in a field rooted in tradition. Kapustin’s Legacy – The ongoing debate: Is his music jazz or classical? Improvisation & Freedom – How Ophelia brings spontaneity into structured compositions. Musical Identity & Influence – Growing up in a jazz-loving household, training in classical music, and even studying at the BRIT school. Bridging Two Musical Worlds – Creating jazz-style lead sheets for Kapustin’s etudes, inviting improvisation into his structured compositions. Finding Kapustin in a Time of Crisis – How discovering his music became pivotal in her life. Upcoming Album: Between the Lines – Behind the scenes of her all-Kapustin recording, set for release in Fall 2025.Watch exclusive excerpts of Ophelia’s performances of Kapustin’s works throughout the episode!What do you think—is Kapustin more jazz or classical? How do you define authenticity as a musician? Drop your thoughts in the comments![Ophelia Gordon - Pianist, Recording Artist, and Leading Kapustin Interpreter] 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @OpheliaGordon 🌍 Website: OpheliaGordon.com[The Piano Pod]💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription.🎗️ 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: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱 Instagram: @thepianopod Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThePianoPodNYC TikTok: @thepianopod #Kapustin #Jazz #ClassicalPiano #Pianists #ClassicalPianists #JazzPianist #MusicIdentity #Improvisation
--------
1:45:57
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 pivotal moment, leading her to a composer who, like her, refused to be boxed into a single genre. 💡 How do you bridge two musical worlds that seem at odds? 💡 What does staying authentic in a tradition-bound field really mean? 💡 How can improvisation reshape classical performance? We explore these questions and more in this inspiring episode. What to Expect in This Episode: 🎹 Kapustin’s Legacy – A classical composer with a jazz heart. 🎵 Improvisation & Freedom – Redefining technique and expression. 🎷 The Jazz-Classical Intersection – Breaking down genre barriers. 🔎 Finding Your Artistic Identity – How Ophelia forged her own path. 🎤 Recording & Interpreting Kapustin – Behind the scenes of Between the Lines. 🔥🔥 Read the full blog post and learn more about Ophelia Gordon HERE.For our paid subscribers on Substack, enjoy exclusive early access to this exciting episode on our Substack page on February 24 at 8:00 PM ET—one day before the official release! https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe 📅 Premieres Tuesday, Feb 25, at 8:00 PM ET Watch on YouTube → https://youtu.be/VTHMvumdAZE Listen on your favorite podcast platform → https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio 👏👏 Don’t miss this episode—it’s a deep dive into what it means to be a musician in the 21st century!
--------
2:49
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.🔥 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!
--------
2:57
Season 5 Episode 11: Practising the Piano – Neuroscience, Technique, Musicality, and Performance Mastery for Pianists feat. Graham Fitch
📣 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 moreMuscle memory alone isn’t enough—integrate aural and cognitive learning for mastery.Stay Connected with Graham FitchPractising The PianoYouTube ChannelBooks & 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 PlayingStay Connected with The Piano PodSubscribe 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!
--------
1:57:51
Official Trailer ✅: Season 5 Episode 11 "Practising the Piano – Neuroscience, Technique, Musicality, and Performance Mastery for Pianists" feat. Graham Fitch - Pianist, Pedagogue, Writer & Broadcaster
🔥 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
About The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
...where tradition meets innovation. Together, we bring PIANO into the FUTURE.a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano musicHey, 🎹 enthusiasts out there! My name is Yukimi, a classical pianist and educator from NYC and executive producer of The Piano Pod. The Piano Pod🎙 is a one-of-a-kind podcast that delves deep into the fascinating world of classical music, with a specific focus on the 🎹 piano. In a biweekly format, the show explores intriguing discussions with guests breaking exciting new ground in the classical music industry. The Piano Pod aims to nurture a thriving community that embraces innovative approaches to ensure classical music's relevance and vitality in today's dynamic landscape."How can I present the beautiful tradition of classical music to the 21st-century audience in a fun, contemporary, and engaging way?"When I started building a piano studio in the trendy neighborhood of Downtown Manhattan in 2007 while in the NYU graduate program in piano studies, I began to ponder this question. I realized the stark difference in expectations toward classical music and music education between music professionals and the general public. Then, one of the NYU music department's professors suggested I start a podcast: the platform would allow classical musicians to address this disparity and spark conversations about audience engagement.Finally, fast forward to 10+ years later, The Piano Pod was born in the summer of 2020. Since then, I have had the privilege of interviewing A-listers in the classical music industry: international concert pianists, composers, arrangers, digital streamers/influencers, music educators, entrepreneurs, neurodiverse specialists, and performance psychologists.Through fascinating conversations, we have explored how classical music should continue to evolve to remain relevant to our lifestyle, society, and culture. Over the past three seasons, The Piano Pod has achieved remarkable success by reaching faithful listeners on audio platforms and viewers via YouTube.As the show is celebrating the past season's achievements and gearing toward the new season in the fall, my mission as the Executive Producer is crystal clear: to provide a platform for classical musicians and educators to reflect and discuss ways to keep our industry robust and meaningful in this ever-changing world and move it forward in the post-pandemic era.🔗Follow TPP on social media accounts to get the latest news about 🎹.Thanks for listening♥️🎹
Listen to The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music, Vibration 歪波音室 and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
New Zealand