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Two is company: The Anderson & Roe Piano Duo by Nick Romeo, Variations: Artists collaborate to make a living and a life by Barbara Kreader, Alicia's Keys by Native Instruments by Mario Ajero

Revisiting Beethoven's Piano Sonatas by Leonne Lewis, A music learning community comprised of teachers, students, and family members by George Litterst, Essays from Collegiate Writing Contest runner-up essays: Reconsidering our approach to musical language by Alex Zalman Kelber and Using YouTube to promote group composition activities by Marcelo Lian

Garrick Ohlsson on technique: Mastering the paradoxical element of control by Kathleen Riley with John Chong; Counterpoint: Can we teach passion in the piano lesson? by Helen Smith Tarchalski with Warren Magid and Bomi Lim; Variations: Owen is my first grandstudent by Barbara Kreader

Teaching globally: A teacher reaches out to Africa from Minnesota without leaving home; Harmony: How do you teach your students to listen and respond to harmony?; Editor's Page: The uniqueness of being

Chopin and Pleyel by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger – Translated by Deana Shuman; Music Reading: Introducing students to the music of Schumann by Craig Sale, Sharon Stosur, Elvina Pearce; Musings: Chopin's teaching by Jane Magrath

Adult Piano Study: Is there a piano in the house? (What I did on my summer vacation); Repetoire & Performance: How do you use DVDs and YouTube videos of historical pianists in your teaching?; Technology: How do you use technology in live performances?

Competitions: Pinnacles and pitfalls - An Interview with Daniel Pollack by Nancy Bachus; Music Reading: When using an intervallic approach, how do you develop faster note recognition? by Craig Sale and Amy Glennon; Jazz: How do you work on improvisation in your group classes? by Christopher Norton

Excerpts From An Interview With Louise Goss by Craig Sale, Collegiate Writing Contest: Runner-Up Essays - Carlos Gardels, Marie-Therese Gummer, Charles B. Lahan, Jr., Rachel Paul, Technology: How do you use technology in group instruction? by Mario Ajero, Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge

There's a new series in the music store - how should I evaluate it? by Rebecca Johnson; Technique: What is 3-D Piano Technique - Scott McBride Smith with Fred Karpoff; Technology Review: AirTurn AT-104 Wireless Page-Turner by Mario Ajero; Keyboard Kids' Companion by Helen Smith Tarchalski

Recharging your batteries by Editor Pete Jutras, Unveiling the Enigma: A Tête-à-tête with Marc-André Hamelin by Krassimira Jordan, How do you use technology to facilitate long distance instruction? by George Litterst, Jennifer Snow & Stella B. Sick, Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge

Breakthroughs: The sweetest moments in teaching. An Interview with William Westney by Pete Jutras, Reflections on a Remarkable Career - An Interview with James Lyke by Ronald Chioldi, A survival manual for college teachers by Erin Bennett, Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge by Helen Smith Tarchalski, Put me in, coach.... I'm ready to play - Editor's Page by Pete Jutras

Interview with Alessio Bax by Sam Holland, Publishing your movie: DVDs and Internet by Alejandro Cremaschi, Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge by Helen Smith Tarchalski, May I have your attention please - Editor's Page by Pete Jutras

Interview with Lang Lang, Collegiate Writing Contest Winners, How you use recording technology in the studio, Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge

Interview with Leon Fleisher, Part I, Adult Study - How do you develop a sense of rhythm in your adult students?

Repetoire - Music in America: A New Nineteenth Century Composer Albert Pieczonka; Rhythm: How do you teach measure groupings (hypermeter) to your intermediate-level students? Technology: How do you build, organize, and manage your website?

Editor - The Right Tool For The Job Rhythm - What common pitfalls occur in the teaching of rhythmic subdivisions? Repertoire - How would you teach the same piece of music to students with different learning styles?

"Sounding off on motivation" Rhythm - "What are some interesting rhythm challenges found in intermediate level Scarlatti Sonatas?" Adult Piano Study - What is the effect of concerto playing on adult students?.

Editor - Gifts Aplenty... Rhythm - How do rhythm and tempo interact with each other, and how does this inform your teaching? Technology - How do you use multimedia in your concerts and student recitals?

New Jazz/Pop department showcased with multimedia article, and bio's of jazz/pop department contributors. Additional articles from Rhythm and Adult Study departments.

Three generations of teachers on Teaching with Technology, plus teaching aids for reading, stuffed animals teach technique, dealing with disappointing performances.

Glenna Sprague provided us with excellent video and audio clips of the Oakton Six Piano Ensemble. These live performance clips and some addditional photos supplemented her article in the Adult Piano Study Department, "What is the buzz about the Oakton Six Piano Ensemble?" There were also extra photos that accompaned Midori Koga's article, "How does teaching music-reading differ from teaching sight-reading?" in the Music Reading Department.

Elvina Pearce provides a history of Keyboard Companion magazine, and a retrospective of her years as Editor-in-Chief. The magazine introduces Pete Jutras as the new Editor-in-Chief. Bruce Berr also provides a history of the online magazine and a retrospective of his years as Webmaster for the web site.

Averill Piers Baker had recently won second prize in the Van Cliburn Amateurs' Competition. She shared audio clips of parts of her performance of the Schumann Symphonic Etudes. These supplemented the article, "What experiences in your background influenced your decision to compete in the Van Cliburn Competition for Outstanding Amateurs? - Part Two"

Phyllis Lehrer provided a veritable online workshop! She supplemented her article on Schumann's Romance in F#, Op. 28, #2, with a performance of the piece, followed by fifteen short audio excerpts that demonstrated the points in her article. While you read her ideas in the print magazine, you can listen to her play them here.

There were two multimedia offerings this issue. In the Rhythm Department, Belinda Green provided audio clips of practice steps and use of rubato in her article, "How do you teach the rhythm of 'Moonlight Mood' from William Gillock's Lyric Preludes?" In the Adult Piano Study Department, Thomas Pearsall presented additional photographs of props he uses in his piano studio as he answers the question "How has your adult teaching changed since you first started teaching adults?"

There were three multimedia articles this issue. Pianist Evan Hirsch provided audio clips of practice steps and a complete performance that accompany his article in the Rhythm Dept., "How do you teach the rhythm challenges of the Chopin Prelude in E Minor?" Prize winners Paul Romero and Ann Herlong reply to, "What experiences in your background influenced your decision to compete in the Van Cliburn Competition for Outstanding Amateurs?" with audio and video clips in the Perspectives in Pedagogy Dept. In the Music Reading Dept., Meg Gray and LeAnn Halvorson provide additional photographs to augment their discussion of "What steps do you assign for the process of sight-reading?"

Three multimedia articles were in this issue. Michelle Conda's inaugural article as Associate Editor included audio and video clips of an 89-year old piano student who "tells it like it is" about her past experiences with certain piano teachers. In Barbara Kreader's T/S/P Dept., Bruce Berr completed Part 3 of a series of interviews entitled "What special qualities do parents of children who succeed at the piano share?" There are audio clips from the interviews, recordings of the children performing, additional interviews and comments from others. In the Rhythm Dept., Anne Olson supplies two short video clips in response to "How has playing another instrument affected your teaching of rhythm at the piano?" Starting with this issue, all audio clips were in mp3 format.

Cincinnati piano teacher Amy Rose Immerman provided photos of adult students from her studio. They supplemented the article from Michelle Conda's Adult Piano Study Department , "Do you cross the line between professional and personal when teaching your adult students?" Also be sure to read Elvina Pearce's essay on practicing taken from the Editor's Page, entitled "Then and now . . .".

Two writers in the Rhythm Department contributed audio clips to supplement their articles. Sophia Gilmson and Linda Barker discussed, "How do you help your students achieve rhythmic continuity in slow pieces without sounding mechanical?" Prof. Gilmson's audio clips demonstrate all of the excerpts mentioned in her article. Linda Barker's student, Elyse Kakacek performs the slow movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata, K. 545, as illustrations of the points made in Ms. Barker's article.

There were THREE multimedia articles this issue. In the Rhythm Dept., Deborah Price explained "What is 'Shakespearean Counting' and how do you use it in your teaching?" She provided audio clips and video demonstrating the musicality of this novel approach to counting. In the T/S/P Department, Bruce Berr interviewed Ms. "W", the mother of one his students, Isabella, as Part 2 of, "What special qualities do parents of children who succeed at the piano share?" There are seven audio clips from the interview, and several of Isabella playing. In the Adult Piano Study Dept., Pete Jutras offered additional text references to his article, "What do you do to promote learning outside of the piano lessons?"

This issue, like the previous one, featured a multimedia article with video clips. In the Rhythm Department discussion of "How is rhythm enhanced by solid technique skills?" Bruce Berr supplemented his discussion of hypermeter with two video clips of young students naturally feeling the larger flow of the music while playing.

In the Rhythm Department, Paula McLaughlin discussed, "How does teaching in small groups help students' rhythmic development?" She offered several video and audio clips, and extra photographs as a supplement to the text in the print article.

The renowned Dalcroze expert Robert Abramson offered an online mini-workshop of audio and video clips. These supplemented his article that appeared in the print magazine, "How are timing and rhythm different from one another?".

This issue featured new online MIDI performances of original piano compositions by young pianists who study piano and composition with Carol Klose in Wisconsin. It also had the completed links page to all multimedia articles that have appeared on this website since its inception.

The website sports its new look to mirror that of the new look in the print magazine. The multimedia article this issue is Part II of a conversation between Bruce Berr and jazz trumpet player and educator, Rob Parton. They explore "How does learning jazz enhance a person's rhythm?" There is an audio clip of Rob's scat-singing to make one of his points, and also one short clip of Rob's jazz band. You can also easily link to Part I of this conversation with its nine exciting audio clips.

The Samplers portion of the website is greatly expanded, so that non-subscribers can read highlights from EVERY department's articles.

The multimedia article was an interview of jazz trumpeter and educator Rob Parton. Bruce Berr asked him, "How does learning jazz enhance a person's rhythm?" Part I of this discussion is punctuated with Rob's spontaenous scat-singing of numerous rhythmic licks, as well as a short sound clip of Rob's jazz band. There were two Samplers this issue: "Do you accept a digital piano as a substitute for an acoustic piano?" and "How do you promote composition and improvisation in the private lesson?" The Editor's Page, always a source of useful information, is particularly outstanding this issue; read Elvina Pearce's thoughts on essential questions we can ask ourselves about our teaching.

Two articles offered multimedia. Karen Koch's "How do you incorporate music history into your lessons?" provided four vido clips. In the Rhythm Dept., Julia Tsien's student, Nora Xu, performed a Diabelli Sonatina to demonstrate points made in "How do you teach the larger muscal beat to elementary students?" The featured article was a past one written by Richard Chronister on sightplaying. This issue premiered the new feature of Samplers - articles in condensed format for non-subscribers: An interview with Nelita True, and from the Perspectives in Pedagogy Dept., "How do you make learning experiences FUN-for yourself and for your students?"

Summer, 2002 (Vol. 13, No. 2)

Spring, 2002 (Vol. 13, No. 1)

In her article "What can you accomplish with your students using a new technology that you could not accomplish previously?" pianist Ellen Johansen discusses how her students develop greater "ear intelligence" by using a CD at home, and shares with us some audio tracks off this CD. In the Perspectives in Pedagogy Department, Kathleen Murray posed the question, "What teacher was most influential in your teaching career and why?" She, Marcia Bosits and Bruce Berr talk about their mentors. Berr also offers some audio clips of his sixth grade teacher, Frank Murphy, talking about the art of teaching.

The Repertoire Department featured 19 student pianists from across the country (ranging in age from 8 to 17) providing recordings in response to the question, "What are your students' favorite recital pieces?" Check out these excellent performances, and also see the other pieces in the annonotated list provided by their teachers. In the Rhythm Department, Linda Kazmirski offers audio clips to demonstrate the points she makes in "What are some rhythmic pieces you like to teach and why?"

Winter, 2001 (Vol. 12, No. 4)

Autumn, 2001 (Vol. 12, No. 3 )

The Rhythm Dept. posed the question, "What is your first concern when teaching rhythm to beginners?" This same question had also been presented eleven years ago to different authors. Since the back issue that contained those earlier essays is no longer available, we present them here as a supplement to the current issues. Read the insightful replies provided by Joanne Smith, Barbara Wasson, Janell Whitby, Jane Magrath, Suzanne Guy, and Barbara English Maris.

Craig Sale, the editor of the Reading Department, provided a guest-essay to the Rhythm Department; he discussed the intriguing question of how to teach cantabile playing to early-level students, and also examines some tie-ins between beautiful, lyrical playing and secure rhythm. Craig has recorded eight audio clips to help demonstrate his points, including segments of Lynn Olson's "Night Clouds" and Robert Vandall's "Reverie."

Summer, 2001 (Vol. 12, No. 2)

Spring, 2001 (Vol. 12, No. 1)

Four Departments provided multimedia this issue! News & Views reprinted an article by composer David Kraehenbuehl, and Martha Braden shares some of her recordings of his music. The Rhythm Dept. explores how to teach improvisatory gestures in music. Louis Nagel performs the Chopin Nocturne in Gm (Op. 15, #3) and Bruce Berr offers audio clips from the Mozart Fantasy in Dm. In the Repertoire Dept., Catherine Rollin presents an online workshop on how her music prepares students for style. The Reading Dept. rounds out the offerings with Julie Lovison discussing how to use music theory awareness to enhance students' reading skills; some photos from her studio are included.

Two Departments contributed featured articles with multimedia this issue. In the Technology Department, Sandra Bowen shared the synthesizer arrangements her students made in a summer project, and Kelly Demoline's accompanying article explained what was needed so you too could start on such a project with your students. The Rhythm Department explored "How do you teach dance rhythms to early-level students?" Belinda Green's video clips and Kathleen Theisen's audio excerpts accent the points they each made in their respective articles.

Winter, 2000 (Vol. 11, No. 3)

Autumn, 2000 (Vol. 11, No. 2)

The featured article for this website issue was a superb one from a back issue (Autumn 1995) entitled, "What do you do to assure success with transfer students?" Former KBC associate editor Joyce Cameron, Joni Reed, and Rebecca Shockley provided essays for the explorations of this topic.

Under the auspices of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, this is the premiere issue under the helm of new Editor-in-Chief Elvina Pearce. In the feature article, Marvin Blickenstaff, Christos Tsitsaros, and Elizabeth Gutierrez present numerous audio excerpts to accompany their fine articles on introducing rubato to early-level students. Articles on this same topic from the Autumn 1992 issue are also available.

Spring, 2000 (Vol. 11, No. 1)	Winter, 1999 (Vol. 10, No. 4)
Helen Marlais and Janet Hickey share their insights into helping students securely learn Beethoven's Sonata in G, Op. 49, #2. Listen in to audio clips of segments and of the entire movement. This issue was the last one overseen by the magazine's founder, Richard Chronister, and has an overview and farewell from Marjore Chronister.	Jennifer Merry and Richard Chronister discuss the differences between counting rhythm and musical rhythm; audio clips throughout the article help make the points. This is Richard Chronister's last current article in this magazine.

Autumn, 1999 (Vol. 10, No. 3)

Summer, 1999 (Vol. 10, No. 2)

Bruce Berr's feature article considers how PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE play a vital role in our imparting skills to our piano students. A short video clip supplements the discussion. The Editor's Page, by Richard Chronister, presents a brief history of the building pictured here, the home of the New School for Music Study and now the headquarters for the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Research.

Camille Witos and Robyn Gibson explore the teaching of Grieg's Nocturne. There are lots of audio excerpts, as well as a short recorded segment from an actual lesson. Camille has also provided sound and MIDI recordings of the entire piece. Some past articles on teaching two-against-three round out the offerings. This is also the first issue that sports background music composed by children and college students!

Spring, 1999 (Vol. 10, No. 1)		Winter, 1998 (Vol. 9, No. 4)
Re-visits a question from a previous issue for the first time: how to teach eighth notes effectively. Annette Conklin and Stephanie Myers write for this go-around. You can also read Annette's 1990 reply to this same question, as well as see Stephanie's videoclip of her working with a delightful young student.		Features Rick Ziebarth's article (and video clips!) on how rhythm plays a behind-the-scenes role in helping figure skaters coordinate their complex gestures, and what we as musicians and teachers can learn from this. Also has Barbara Kreader's eloquent addition to Keyboard Companion's tribute to the late Frances Clark.

Autumn, 1998 (Vol. 9, No. 3)		Summer, 1998 (Vol. 9, No. 2)
The magazine's first cover story relates John Steinmetz's alternative approaches to recitals and concerts. Also includes multimedia supplements to articles, and a special memorial tribute to Frances Clark.		The website's premiere! Includes Ludmila Lazar's feature article on "How is your teaching of rhythm affected by your own earliest rhythm learning?" This is a piano magazine's first article enhanced by supplementary audio and video clips.

Art Gallery of past cover pictures with background music, of course! .

Hear pieces that were used as background music in past issues, most of which were composed by young piano students and college pedagogy interns . . . Click here

Information on obtaining back issues of the print magazine