Episodi

  • Ep. 23 – Songs of Hope
    Jan 19 2026
    The Rainbow's Promise, by Melody Bober Digital Download Printed Edition Always Hope, by Rick Robertson Digital Download Chanson d'espoir (Song of Hope), by Mary Leaf Digital Download Printed Edition The week features music that offers reassurance, optimism, and a hopeful outlook for the future. I'm playing three pieces by three different composers, ranging from early intermediate through early advanced — each selection offering meaningful musical expression alongside valuable teaching opportunities. • The Rainbow’s Promise by Melody Bober — an expressive intermediate-level piece featuring some fancy cross-hand arpeggios and opportunities for developing melodic voicing in the left hand. • Always Hope by Rick Robertson — a lyrical selection ideal for late elementary or early intermediate students, with a focus on rhythmic flexibility and musical balance. • Chanson d’espoir by Mary Leaf — an early advanced work whose emotional journey from C minor to C major reminds us that hope is sometimes a conscious and determined choice. Together, these pieces remind us how music — and the arts more broadly — can help students make sense of their emotions and express themselves meaningfully.
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    14 min
  • Ep. 22 – From Winter to Warmth: A Musical Escape with Martín Cuéllar
    Jan 12 2026
    Nightfall in Tossa de Mar, by Martín Cuéllar Digital Download Printed Edition Scherzo, by Martín Cuéllar Digital Download Printed Edition The Silent Garden, by Martín Cuéllar Digital Download Printed Edition After weeks of winter-themed repertoire, it’s time for a musical getaway. In this episode of The Piano Pedagogy Playlist, I head for warmer shores with the piano music of composer Martín Cuéllar. You’ll hear three engaging pieces that span late-elementary through late-intermediate levels: the atmospheric Nightfall at Tossa de Mar, the lively and playful Scherzo, and the gentle, reflective The Silent Garden. Whether you’re looking for fresh recital ideas, inspiring teaching pieces, or simply a moment of musical escape from the winter chill, this episode offers a warm and welcoming journey at the piano.
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    15 min
  • Ep. 21 – (The Start Of) A Year in Twelve Keys
    Jan 5 2026
    January – New Year, by Chris Caine Digital Download Printed Edition Icicles, by Martha Hill Duncan Digital Download Printed Edition This week we start a year-long musical journey with through Chris Caine's "A Year In Twelve Keys". The first selection, "January - New Year" is a musical theatre ballad-without-words. The opening melody seems to speak the words “New Year,” setting a tone that’s calm, thoughtful, and full of possibility. As a bonus, we take a quick romp through Martha Hill Duncan's "Icicles", a piece that a piece that glistens and sparkles, and then melts away almost as quickly as it appeared.”
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    11 min
  • Seasons Greetings From The Piano Pedagogy Playlist!
    Dec 22 2025
    I’m taking a short, two-week holiday break from the regular podcast format. But I wanted to share with you one lovely Christmas piece by the late Linda Martinez. It’s a thoroughly modern take on The First Noel from her collection “Snowy Days of Christmas”. Thanks for accompanying me on the first twenty episodes of this journey. I’ll look forward to discovering new music with you in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday! – Luke The First Noel, by Linda Martinez Digital Download Printed Copy
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    5 min
  • Ep. 20 – The Year’s Cadence
    Dec 15 2025
    The Year’s Cadence closes out the regular podcast episodes of 2025 with a moment of musical reflection and quiet anticipation. Framed by the musical idea of a cadence—a place of repose that also hints at what comes next—this episode explores four piano pieces by different composers that mirror the emotional arc of the year’s end. This episode is both a practical repertoire guide and a moment of gratitude—for the steady, patient work teachers do each week and the lasting impact it has on young musicians as they step into a new year. Reflections, by Dennis Alexander Digital Download Remembrance, by Maria Mifsud Digital Download Reminiscence, by Edwin McLean Printed Copy A New Beginning, by Kevin Costley Digital Download
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    17 min
  • Ep. 19 – When The Blues Isn’t Always Blue
    Dec 8 2025
    Three pieces this week from the collection Aspects of Blue by Alan Bullard, all at an intermediate level. Blue Sky Digital Download Stately Blue Digital Download Blue River Digital Download This week, we dive into Alan Bullard’s Aspects of Blue—a collection that takes the familiar 12-bar blues chord progression and reimagines it in completely unexpected ways. These aren’t blues pieces, but character pieces that use the form as a creative framework. You’ll hear Blue Sky, Stately Blue, and Blue River: three intermediate-level works that explore calm lyricism, Baroque-inspired elegance, and flowing rhythmic interplay. This ain't the blues, but it is wonderfully imaginative.
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    15 min
  • Ep. 18 – After the First Snow: Discovering Winter Dreams
    Dec 1 2025
    Today’s episode highlights four pieces from Winter Dreams, Hans Günter Heumann’s expressive winter collection for late-elementary and early-intermediate pianists. From snowboarding adventures to quiet winter reveries, these works capture the magic and stillness of the season. All pieces are from the collection Winter Dreams by Hans Günter Heumann. Suitable for late-elementary to early-intermediate students. Snowboarding Digital Download Miracles Just Happen Digital Download The Igloo Digital Download Winter Dreams Digital Download
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    14 min
  • Ep 17. Sleigh What!? Sleighride Fantasy & Two More Winter Originals
    Nov 24 2025
    It’s Thanksgiving week here in the US, and I’m celebrating with a trio of original, winter-themed piano pieces that set the seasonal mood. We have Melody Bober’s exhuberent Sleighride Fantasy, Ice Dance by Irish composer Seana Davey, and an accessbile gem of a piece for Ludovico Einaudi fans, Snow Prelude #3. Sleighride Fantasy, by Melody Bober Digital Download Ice Dance, by Seana Davey Digital Download Snow Prelude #3 in C Major, by Ludovico Einaudi Digital Download
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    13 min