The Piano Pod
The Piano Pod

The Piano Pod

Yukimi Song

Overview
Episodes

Details

...where tradition meets innovation, and together, we bring PIANO into the 21st Century.

Hey, 🎹 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♥️🎹

Recent Episodes

Season 5 Episode 5: "Dances, Improvisations, & Songs" feat. Mark Markham - Steinway Artist & Improvisor
NOV 13, 2024
Season 5 Episode 5: "Dances, Improvisations, & Songs" feat. Mark Markham - Steinway Artist & Improvisor
<p>📣 <strong>This Episode is Brought to You by </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.artsongpreservationsocietyny.org/"><strong>The Art Song Preservation Society of New York </strong></a><strong>(ASPSNY)!</strong> "Immerse Yourself in a World of Art Song at the Summer of Song Festival 2025!" </p><p>In this special episode of The Piano Pod, “Dances, Improvisations, and Song: Exploring Mark Markham’s Legacy and Journey of Passion, Artistry, and Deep Collaborations,” we welcome Mark Markham, acclaimed Steinway Artist, celebrated soloist, collaborative pianist, jazz improviser, and renowned vocal coach. With a career spanning decades and continents, Mark is widely known for his masterful range, from performing classical masterpieces to collaborating with the legendary <strong>Jessye Norman</strong> in over 300 concerts worldwide.</p><p>🌟 <strong>Highlights of This Episode </strong>🌟</p><ul><li>Mark’s insights on his artistic journey: from Bach to contemporary compositions, and why embracing new repertoire inspires him.</li><li>An in-depth discussion on improvisation in classical and jazz settings, along with the art of tone production and technique.</li><li>Mark’s experiences working with numerous celebrated vocalists, emphasizing the importance of vocalist-pianist synergy.</li><li>His impactful role as an educator and mentor at institutions like <strong>Peabody Institute</strong> (Johns Hopkins University) and through global masterclasses, including ASPSNY’s programs.</li><li> Reflections on legacy, purpose in music, and innovative ways to connect with modern audiences.</li></ul><p><strong>Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Mark as he shares his journey, from pivotal career moments to insights into his creative process and dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians. </strong></p><p><strong>[About Mark Markham]</strong></p><p>🌐<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://markmarkhampianist.com/">Website</a></p><p>📺Check out his performances: </p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=597xSO3X3VE&amp;t=416s&amp;pp=ygUMbWFyayBtYXJraGFt">Mark Markham, piano: Dances and Improvisations</a>, </li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUurufZzlis&amp;pp=ygUMbWFyayBtYXJraGFt">Francis Poulenc Les Chemins De L'Amour - pianist Mark Markham</a>, </li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6tyzr0XGBM&amp;t=3s&amp;pp=ygUMbWFyayBtYXJraGFt">Mark Markham DEEP RIVER Jessye Norman funeral</a>, </li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/0WDkPDEh9os?si=q1y8VtB-iTtHnqXs">Jessye Norman sings "Zwei Gesänge", op. 91 - LIVE, 1997</a></li></ul><p>🎵🎵 Check out all the piano music mentioned in Season 5 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uCgiPLui0cF-VNGzKcvkKP">HERE</a>🎵🎵 </p><p><strong>[Meet Our Sponsor - the Art Song Preservation Society of New York]</strong></p><ul><li>🌐<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.artsongpreservationsocietyny.org/">Website</a></li><li>▶️ <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ASPSNY">YouTube</a></li></ul><p><strong>[🎹🎙️ ABOUT THE PIANO POD]</strong></p><ul><li>❤️❤️ Show your love and support for TPP: Donate <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/3EsvRDg">https://bit.ly/3EsvRDg</a> ❤️❤️</li><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com">Official Site</a></li><li>📱<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/thepianopod"> Connect with us</a></li></ul>
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123 MIN
Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 5: "Dances, Improvisations, and Song: Exploring Mark Markham’s Legacy and Journey of Passion, Artistry, and Deep Collaborations," feat. Steinway Artist, Mark Markham.
NOV 11, 2024
Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 5: "Dances, Improvisations, and Song: Exploring Mark Markham’s Legacy and Journey of Passion, Artistry, and Deep Collaborations," feat. Steinway Artist, Mark Markham.
<p>Here is the official trailer of TPP Season 5 Episode 5, "Dances, Improvisations, and Song: Exploring Mark Markham’s Legacy and Journey of Passion, Artistry, and Deep Collaborations," feat. Mark Markham. </p><p> 🎉In this special episode of The Piano Pod, “Dances, Improvisations, and Song: Exploring Mark Markham’s Legacy and Journey of Passion, Artistry, and Deep Collaborations,” we welcome Mark Markham, acclaimed Steinway Artist celebrated soloist, collaborative pianist, jazz improviser, and renowned vocal coach. With a career spanning decades and continents, </p><p>Mark is widely known for his masterful range, from performing classical masterpieces to collaborating with the legendary 🎵Jessye Norman in over 300 concerts worldwide. </p><p>Highlights of This Episode: </p><ul><li>✅ Mark’s insights on his artistic journey: from Bach to contemporary compositions, and why embracing new repertoire inspires him. </li><li>✅ An in-depth discussion on improvisation in classical and jazz settings, along with the art of tone production and technique. </li><li>✅ Mark’s experiences working with celebrated vocalists, emphasizing the importance of voice-piano synergy.</li><li> ✅ His impactful role as an educator and mentor at institutions like Peabody Institute (Johns Hopkins University) and through global masterclasses, including the Art Song Preservation Society of New York </li><li>✅ Reflections on legacy, purpose in music, and innovative ways to connect with modern audiences. Tune in to hear Mark’s fascinating journey and his thoughts on the future of classical music! </li></ul><p> 📅 Premiere Date: Tuesday, November 12, at 8:00 PM ET </p><p>🎧 Available on your favorite podcast platform: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio">https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio</a> </p><p>📺 Available on our YouTube channel: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/e-KSnqcDgio">https://youtu.be/e-KSnqcDgio</a> </p><p>#ThePianoPod #ClassicalMusic #Podcast #Piano #MarkMarkham #JessyeNorman #Improvisation #VocalCollaboration #ClassicalPianist #MusicEducation #NewEpisode #PianoTechnique</p>
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2 MIN
Season 5 Episode 4, "Kaleidoscope: Championing Women" feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro - Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composer, & Champion Global Sustainability
OCT 22, 2024
Season 5 Episode 4, "Kaleidoscope: Championing Women" feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro - Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composer, & Champion Global Sustainability
<p>This episode is brought to you by Dr. Jon Skidmore and the Musician’s Path to Peak Performance team —helping artists conquer performance anxiety for over 30 years and shine under the spotlight. Visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drjonskidmore.com">HERE</a> to learn more.</p><p>We are thrilled to introduce the esteemed guest of Season 5 Episode 4, – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://isabeldobarro.com/">Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro</a> – International Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composers, and Champion of Global Sustainability 🌍</p><p>In this exciting episode of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com"><strong>The Piano Pod</strong></a>, <strong>Dr. Dobarro</strong> shares exclusive details about her brand-new solo album, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVlCazZaS0loZi1XM3ZqZ3JaUkV2WUROaTItUXxBQ3Jtc0tseXA3NnhEUHJBa2lmZF85S3h6MklnbXYtLUNtYnVWdmJuSXRPOVlxdjdJZDZfaHE5STZfMGZua1VNZURTbnExb09IUk9RYnRnZmJ5T3dXVzVqd2RMd0VYRDJNZktpeUdKQWtoNG5ybnJPQ2NrRFZLSQ&amp;q=https%253A%252F%252Fopen.spotify.com%252Falbum%252F5eWJruvexNwops6IKkMabv%253Fsi%253Dj-pcLQ2uSNeW3gNTsS35Wg&amp;v=UC5c4-Jl218"><strong>Kaleidoscope</strong></a>—released on the very day of this interview! Isabel’s album is a beautiful collection of works by women composers from around the world. In this conversation, she delves into the stories behind the music, her advocacy for gender equality, and her mission to promote sustainability in the arts.</p><p>We also explored: </p><ul><li>🎙️ Isabel’s passion for promoting music by women composers globally</li><li>🎙️ Her approach to programming that highlights musical diversity across cultures </li><li>🎙️ Challenges and progress in advocating for women composers in classical music </li><li>🎙️ Her impactful advocacy work, from iconic performances to speaking at the <strong>United Nations</strong> on sustainability and gender equality </li></ul><p><strong>[About Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro]</strong></p><ul><li>🌐 Dr. Dobarro’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://isabeldobarro.com/">Website</a></li><li>🌐 Dr. Dobarro’s New Album, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9659746--kaleidoscope-contemporary-piano-music-by-female-composers-from-around-the-world?srsltid=AfmBOoqBH-wbztauiaSdLKudH41itePeMO-X0u6ZP2NHMHZqbl7FOjjB">Kaleidoscope</a></li></ul><p>🎵🎵 Check out all other pieces <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uCgiPLui0cF-VNGzKcvkKP&amp;si=CcDa9ualsG8kT0K5">here</a>🎵🎵 </p><p><strong>[Meet Our Sponsor - Dr. Jon Skidmore, Musician’s Path to Peak Performance]</strong></p><ul><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.drjonskidmore.com/">Website</a></li><li>▶️ Watch or Listen to Our Conversation with Dr. Skidmore <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com/season-4-finale-conquer-performance-anxiety-feat-dr-jon-skidmore-performance-psychologist/">HERE</a></li></ul><p><strong>[🎹🎙️ ABOUT THE PIANO POD]</strong></p><ul><li>Listen to Our Mission Statement <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com/season-5-introductory-episode/">HERE</a></li><li>❤️❤️ Show your love and support for TPP: Donate <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/3EsvRDg">HERE</a> ❤️❤️</li><li>🌐 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com">Official Site</a></li></ul>
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88 MIN
Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 4: “Kaleidoscope: Championing Women” feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro – International Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composers, and Champion of Global Sustainability 🎹
OCT 21, 2024
Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 4: “Kaleidoscope: Championing Women” feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro – International Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composers, and Champion of Global Sustainability 🎹
<p>Enjoy The Piano Pod’s Official Trailer ✅ for Season 5 Episode 4: “Kaleidoscope: Championing Women” feat. Dr. Isabel Pérez Dobarro – International Concert Pianist, Advocate for Women Composers, and Champion of Global Sustainability 🎹</p><p>We are beyond excited to welcome Isabel to our latest episode of The Piano Pod for Season 5, Episode 4!</p><p>The interview recording session took place on October 11, 2024—the very day of the release of Isabel’s new solo piano album, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5eWJruvexNwops6IKkMabv?si=CFHIh5feS_KtUIId_XhIAw">Kaleidoscope</a>. She chose us, THE PIANO POD, to share the news <em>exclusively</em>! 🥳🎶</p><p>In this episode, Isabel dives deep into the inspiration behind <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5eWJruvexNwops6IKkMabv?si=CFHIh5feS_KtUIId_XhIAw"><strong>Kaleidoscope</strong></a>, a stunning collection of works by women composers from around the world. 🌍 She shares what motivated her to bring their voices into the spotlight and the powerful message she hopes to convey through this incredible project. 🎶</p><p>We also explored: </p><ul><li>🎙️ Isabel’s passion for promoting music by women composers globally </li><li>🎙️ The origin of the album title, <strong>Kaleidoscope</strong>, and the stories behind the pieces </li><li>🎙️ Her approach to programming that highlights musical diversity across cultures </li><li>🎙️ Challenges and progress in advocating for women composers in classical music </li><li>🎙️ Her impactful advocacy work, from iconic performances to speaking at the <strong>United Nations</strong> on sustainability and gender equality </li><li>🎙️ How she balances her roles as a pianist, activist, and international relations advocate</li></ul><p>🙌 Get ready for an inspiring journey—from performing at <strong>Carnegie Hall</strong> and <strong>Teatro Colón</strong>, to using her platform to advocate for <strong>gender equality</strong> and <strong>sustainability in the arts</strong>.</p><p>Don’t miss this empowering conversation! 🎧✨</p><ul><li>📅 <strong>Premiere Date</strong>: Tuesday, <strong>October 22</strong>, 8:00 PM ET</li><li>📺 Join the premiere via YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/UC5c4-Jl218">https://youtu.be/UC5c4-Jl218</a>🔗 Listen on your favorite podcast platform: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/TPP2.0">https://linktr.ee/TPP2.0</a></li></ul><p>#ThePianoPod #ClassicalMusic #Podcast #WomenInMusic #KaleidoscopeAlbum #ConcertPianist #UNAdvocate #GenderEquality #SustainabilityInMusic #IsabelPerezDobarro #UnitedNations #WomenComposers #WomenArtists</p>
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2 MIN