Meet Our Staff

Dr. Jennifer Snow is an internationally recognized executive, artist, educator, and thought leader. She leads all divisions of The Frances Clark Center: Piano Magazine, Piano Inspires Kids, Journal of Piano Research, NCKP: The Piano Conference, New School for Music Study, Online Teacher Education, and Piano Education Press. Passionate about the transformative power of the arts, Jennifer is dedicated to serving and advancing the mission of the Center.

Leah Claiborne, D.M.A. promotes diversity in the arts by championing piano music by Black composers in her performances, research, and teaching. She serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Frances Clark Center/National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy.

Alejandro Cremaschi is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research areas include pedagogical technology and Latin American music. He has recorded for the labels IRCO, Ostinato, Marco Polo and Meridian Records. His pedagogical edition and publication of Alberto Ginastera’s Doce Preludios Americanos for piano was published by Carl Fisher in 2016.

Sara Ernst, PhD, is an active pedagogue and pianist, and Associate Professor and Director of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. For the Frances Clark Center, she is Director of Teacher Engagement and leads programming for NCKP: The Piano Conference.

Shana Kirk is a Colorado-based pianist, teacher, and technology consultant. Exploring the convergence of technology and pedagogy, she serves as a liaison between education and industry, has appeared on programs across the US and Canada, and has written for numerous publications, including as the co-author of the long-running Tech Connect column in American Music Teacher.

Dr. Yeeseon Kwon is Associate Professor in the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University teaching piano, musicianship, piano pedagogy, and special topics in graduate seminars. Specializing in andragogy, she enjoys teaching adult piano students at the Northwestern University Music Academy. Dr. Kwon is the Music, Materials, and Books Editor for Piano Magazine and Vice President of The College Music Society, as well as MTNA East Central Division Director-Elect.

E. L. Lancaster is a piano faculty member at California State University, Northridge. Previous positions include Senior Vice President and Keyboard Editor-in-Chief for Alfred Music and David Ross Boyd Professor of Music at the University of Oklahoma. In 2019, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Dr. Andrea McAlister serves as Director of Digital Programming for the Frances Clark Center and a Senior Editor for Piano Magazine. Dr. McAlister is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Oberlin College and a member of the Yamaha Master Educator Collective.

Hailed by the New York Times as a “virtuoso pianist” Artina McCain, has an international career as a performer, educator and speaker. Dedicated to creating awareness for underrepresented voices, McCain curates programming and arranged 24 African American Folk Songs for the Hal Leonard series. Currently, she is a professor at the University of Memphis.

Rebecca Mergen Pennington has been a member of the faculty of the New School for Music Study since 2007 and currently serves as the Administrative Director. She holds a DMA and MM in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, and a BM in Music Education from Concordia College.

Pamela D. Pike is the Spillman Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Associate Dean of Research at Louisiana State University. As an active researcher of pedagogical topics, she is a sought-after speaker and clinician. Pike has published articles, book chapters and full-length books, and is editor-in-chief of the Piano Magazine.

Craig Sale is a pianist, teacher, workshop clinician, adjudicator, author, and editor. For thirty years he served as Director of the Preparatory and Community Piano Program at Concordia University Chicago where he also taught university courses in piano pedagogy. He was a pedagogy student of Frances Clark and Louise Goss.

Luis Sanchez has maintained an active performing and teaching career and appeared in concerts in the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. He is currently Professor of Piano and Director of Keyboard Studies at Texas A&M University-Commerce and serves as Director of International Engagement for the Frances Clark Center.

Heather Smith maintains a multi-faceted career as an educator, administrator, music examiner, and community arts advocate. She is the co-creator of The Frances Clark Center’s online course, A Pianist’s Guide to Studio Management. Heather holds advanced degrees in music and business and enjoys supporting communities through music fundraising initiatives.

Dr. Jasmine Harry is the Manager of Representation and Teacher Education Initiatives at the Frances Clark Center. Based in Dallas, Texas, she also serves as a teaching artist at the Centre for Musical Minds. She holds degrees from the University of South Carolina, Michigan State University, and Stetson University, and is passionate about advancing inclusive teaching practices and fostering the next generation of musicians.

Sarah Lappin began working for Piano Magazine as a student intern in 2021. She has since graduated with her Master’s in Piano Pedagogy from LSU, where she focused her research on small-handed pianists.

Nora Mello, DMA, NCTM, serves as the Manager of Communications and Advancement at The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy and Adjunct Faculty at Texas Christian University and Tarrant County College. Nora holds degrees from Texas Christian University, DePaul University, and Michigan State University.

Dr. Curtis Pavey is a pianist, harpsichordist, and educator. A performer of works from the 16th through the 21st centuries, he feels equally at home performing or teaching at the piano and the harpsichord. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Missouri.

Justin Torzala is a composer, pianist, and designer based in Chicago, Illinois. He holds degrees in composition and UX design from DePaul University. His music has been awarded internationally, with performances by the Vancouver Chamber Choir (Vancouver, BC), The Choral Project (San Jose, CA), and more.

Anthony Ty teaches piano at Northwestern Music Academy and from his private studio in Skokie, IL. He also serves as Digital and Social Media Manager at the Frances Clark Center. A graduate of DePaul University, he also completed his MBA in Arts Innovation with the Global Leaders Institute. He is passionate about online teaching and technology.

Florencia Zuloaga, DMA is an educator and recording artist. She has championed world-premiere recordings of piano works by Argentine women and enjoys bringing light to this repertoire in her concert programming. Dr. Zuloaga serves as an Artist-Faculty at the Omaha Conservatory of Music and is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator in Eastern Nebraska. She received her DMA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lindsay Bastian received her DMA in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University and currently teaches both class piano and private lessons in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University and loves to share her passion for excellence in music teaching and learning.

Nicaraguan pianist, Dr. Fanarelia Guerrero-López, maintains an active career as a pedagogue, collaborative artist, and soloist. Based in the Dallas area, she serves as adjunct faculty at Texas Woman’s University, co-directs the North Texas International Piano Symposium, and coordinates the International Engagement program at the Frances Clark Center. She is also a board member of the Dallas Music Teachers Association and a full-time faculty member at the Centre for Musical Minds in Frisco, Texas.

Laurel believes that anyone can be musical and inspire artistic community experiences. She teaches piano and early childhood music in Emmaus, PA, and directs a children’s choir nearby. She serves as the Music Director at church and volunteers as Treasurer for the Lehigh Valley Music Teachers Association. Whether teaching, conducting, or fundraising, Laurel builds upon music’s capacity for connection. Laurel earned her M.A.A. at Ohio University and B.M. at Wheaton College (IL).

Ricardo Pozenatto, a native of Brazil, earned a PhD in Music Education with focus in Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University. He has presented at MTNA and NCKP conferences, and at Canadian and Brazilian conferences. Besides being a Coordinator of International Engagement at the Frances Clark Center, Ricardo also serves as the Florida State MTA Teacher Awards Chair.

Owen Zhou holds degrees in piano performance from the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Owen maintains a full teaching studio. He also runs an audio and video production business, serving high profile clients. Owen is also an avid mountaineer and skier.

Hyrum Arnesen is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Southern Virginia University where he directs the Piano Studies. He recently received his DMA from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He is also an active soloist, collaborator, and teacher with particular research interests in Argentine piano repertoire, building strong technique, and fostering motivation in students.

Cameron resides and teaches piano in Tucson where he is completing a master’s of music at the University of Arizona. He received his bachelor’s in piano performance from Washington State University. Cameron is an experienced educator, writer, radio host, video producer, and arts advocate. His passions include skiing and photography.

Dr. Megan Hall is a pianist, pedagogue, researcher, and presenter based in Lexington, South Carolina. She is the Manager of Communications and Periodicals for the Frances Clark Center, and Coordinator of Piano Studies at the University of South Carolina Aiken.

As a Performing Artist, Pedagogue and Activist, Heather Hancock is passionate about the intersection of artistry and social justice. She completed her DMA (Piano Performance) at The University of Georgia in 2025. Her research explores solo piano works that directly engage social justice issues. Currently, Heather is an Assistant Professor of Music at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA.

Rachael Hanis graduated from Western Washington University in May of 2025 with a BFA in design. Her areas of focus include motion, branding, packaging, typography, experiential design, and web design. In addition to her work as a designer, Rachael is also a musician. She began playing the cello at age 12 and now plays a variety of other instruments as well.

Qin Ling is a faculty member at the New School for Music Study. She has a combination of administrative background and piano teaching and performing experiences. She is passionate about working with diverse learners, engaging communities, and connecting Chinese and American piano pedagogy field.

Filipina Janna Peña is a dedicated pianist and pedagogue pursuing a DMA at the University of Michigan. She is committed to integrating diverse teaching philosophies into her piano instruction.

Grace Sorenson graduated from UW-Milwaukee in May of 2024 with a B.A. in Music. She studied under Dr. Otwell. She is currently Minister of Music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, teaches piano lessons at St. John Vianney Catholic School, Brookfield Academy, and also maintains a private studio.

Makayla is a music teacher, computer programmer, and everything in between! Her strengths are in writing, editing, research, organization, and communication, allowing her to fit in almost any capacity. She currently serves as administrative support for the Frances Clark Center.

Yuan is an active pianist, organist, chamber music performer, and teacher. Having been teaching the piano for over ten years, she enjoys leading students from various backgrounds to explore the music world. She is finishing her doctoral degree in Piano Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Anna is a third-year Ph.D. student studying Piano Pedagogy and Music Education at the University of Oklahoma. She holds a master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy as well as a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Music. She currently runs a private piano studio, is the chair for the MTNA Collegiate Symposium, and enjoys presenting at conferences.

Pianist Emily Blandon Kovar is completing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at the University of Georgia under Dr. Liza Stepanova, with prior degrees from Lawrence University (B.M., 2017) and the University of Georgia (M.M., 2020).

Diana Maldonado is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio where she studied under Dr. Ivan Hurd. She currently runs a piano studio with students of all ages. She believes in the transformative power of music and aims to nurture a lifelong love for piano.

Yiman Weng, with a BM from Capital University and an MM from Ohio State University, is a DMA student at Texas Tech University. She has received numerous accolades and awards for her research and musical achievements. Weng actively engages in academic and musical communities, presenting at prestigious conferences.

Pamela D. Pike is the Spillman Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Associate Dean of Research at Louisiana State University. As an active researcher of pedagogical topics, she is a sought-after speaker and clinician. Pike has published articles, book chapters and full-length books, and is editor-in-chief of the Piano Magazine.

Craig Sale is a pianist, teacher, workshop clinician, adjudicator, author, and editor. For thirty years he served as Director of the Preparatory and Community Piano Program at Concordia University Chicago where he also taught university courses in piano pedagogy. He was a pedagogy student of Frances Clark and Louise Goss.

Olivia Ellis is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies and Chamber Music at Messiah University. She is the co-author of the blog creativepianoteacher.com and the Easy Piano Lead Sheets and Chord Charts series. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and enjoys performing in the Chiara Piano Duo. She holds a DMA in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Christensen is on the Piano Team for Roland. She is a frequent presenter for state, national, and international conferences, focusing on integrating technology into music lessons.

Dr. Yeeseon Kwon is the Director of Institutional Engagement for the Frances Clark Center and Column Editor for New Books, Materials, and Music. She is Associate Professor at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and Vice President of The College Music Society.

Canadian pianist Heather Lanners has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Brazil. Professor of Piano at the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University, she holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario, École Normale de Musique and Eastman School of Music. She is currently Recordings Editor for Piano Magazine.

Lesley McAllister, DMA is Professor of Piano and Director of Piano Pedagogy at Baylor University. She has presented at national and international conferences and been published in the Piano Magazine and American Music Teacher as well as publishing two books: The Balanced Musician and Yoga in the Music Studio.

Omar Roy currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina. His research interests include practice efficiency, inclusive teaching, and narrativity in music. Dr. Roy earned the DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.

Jerry Wong has gained critical acclaim for performances as soloist, chamber musician and recording artist on the MSR Classics label. His masterclasses have led him to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan, as well as throughout the United States. Wong holds the position of Associate Professor of Piano and Co-Head of Keyboard at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Australia.

Rebecca C. Bellelo, NCTM, PhD, teaches applied piano and RMM classes to students of all ages in her studio, Piano Pathways. She currently serves as a Professional Affiliate faculty member at Louisiana State University, where she teaches piano pedagogy and group piano. She is a frequent presenter at conferences and webinars, and serves in state and local MTAs.

Dr. Andrea McAlister serves as Director of Digital Programming for the Frances Clark Center and a Senior Editor for Piano Magazine. Dr. McAlister is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Oberlin College and a member of the Yamaha Master Educator Collective.

Dr. Curtis Pavey is a pianist, harpsichordist, and educator. A performer of works from the 16th through the 21st centuries, he feels equally at home performing or teaching at the piano and the harpsichord. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Missouri.

Jessie Welsh, DMA, NCTM is Assistant Pedagogical Professor of Piano at Western Kentucky University, where she coordinates group piano, teaches piano pedagogy and accompanying, and directs the Piano Laboratory Program. Dr. Welsh holds five music degrees in piano pedagogy, piano performance, and music education. Her research, presentations, and publications have been featured by national conferences and journals.

Barbara Fast is Piano Chair and Director of Piano Pedagogy, coordinates the group piano program and teaches graduate piano pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. An active workshop clinician, she co-founded the Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy (GP3) Forum. She is the co-author of iPractice: Technology in the 21st Century Music Practice Room.

Alejandro Cremaschi is Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research areas include pedagogical technology and Latin American music. He has recorded for the labels IRCO, Ostinato, Marco Polo and Meridian Records. His pedagogical edition and publication of Alberto Ginastera’s Doce Preludios Americanos for piano was published by Carl Fisher in 2016.

Rebecca Grooms Johnson, Ph.D., NCTM, is a nationally respected leader in the field of piano pedagogy. She is an independent teacher and has taught extensively at the university level. Active in the Music Teachers National Association, she has served as President of the Ohio MTA, National Chair of MTNA’s Pedagogy Committee, and national Certification Chair.

With performances described as “meltingly lovely”, “rippling clean” (Globe and Mail), and “with exquisite tone colors” (Fanfare Magazine), pianist Midori Koga has been featured as soloist and chamber musician throughout Canada, USA, Spain, China, Taiwan and Austria. Koga currently serves as Associate Professor of piano and pedagogy at the University of Toronto.

Scott McBride Smith is the Cordelia Brown Murphy Professor at the University of Kansas. A recognized leader in music education, his philosophical and cognitive approach, combined with a sense of humor, has made him an audience favorite around the world. His numerous practical initiatives to improve today’s piano lesson experience include the series American Popular Piano and the summer program International Institute for Young Musicians.