<p>This surprise bonus episode was created in collaboration with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.newschool.edu/mannes/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=Google_Search_Text_Mannes_B&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=966142473&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADfsqWhdsz2NCki55k8F18WtQwgwT&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA-sXMBhAOEiwAGGw6LCmL9jZ32u5uhPPf-9sg3Higx33wFsgcZPheN5j8leM-pX1XmNcxaxoCZnwQAvD_BwE"><strong>Mannes School of Musi</strong></a><strong>c</strong> at The New School.</p><p>In this conversation, I sit down with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.newschool.edu/mannes/faculty/pavlina-dokovska/"><strong>Pavlina Dokovska</strong></a> — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — to explore what it truly means to build artists in today’s musical and cultural moment.</p><p>We discuss serious piano study, long-term mentorship, artistic identity, and the role institutions play in shaping the next generation of musicians.</p><p>Toward the end of the episode, you will also hear from Jiwon Yang, current Mannes graduate student and First Prize winner of the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, sharing her experience studying in downtown Manhattan and participating in the festival.</p><ul><li>🎹 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://event.newschool.edu/mannesinternationalpianofestival"><strong>Mannes International Piano Festival</strong></a></li><li>📝 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://form.jotform.com/253354913021146"><strong>Festival Application</strong></a></li><li>🏫 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.newschool.edu/mannes/"><strong>Mannes School of Music </strong></a>at The New School</li><li>📝 Meet Our Guest — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-pavlina-dokovska?r=2q1iy3&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=true"><strong>Pavlina Dokovska: </strong></a></li></ul><p>ABOUT THE PIANO POD</p><ul><li>💖 Become a VIP Member / <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.substack.com"><strong>Unlock Exclusive Content</strong></a></li><li>📫 Join Our Newsletter</li><li>🌐 TPP <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepianopod.com">Website</a></li><li>📱 Follow <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/thepianopod"><strong>The Piano Pod</strong></a></li></ul><p>🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.</p><p>Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.</p>