The Piano Pod

In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator Mirna Lekić for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.Born and raised in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and now based in New York City, Mirna brings a rare perspective to the piano — one shaped by resilience, migration, devotion, and an unshakable belief in music as a stabilizing, healing force.We explore her acclaimed 2023 album MIRAGE, a breathtaking collection of sonic illusions and cultural crossings that reimagines the piano as a global storyteller — moving from Azerbaijan to Spain, Armenia to Java, and beyond.This episode dives into:how early musical experiences during war shaped Mirna's artistic identitythe healing and stabilizing role music played during her family's resettlementthe depth of Bosnian and Balkan musical influenceshow cultural diversity becomes musical philosophy, not performanceMIRAGE and its groundbreaking approach to sound, resonance, and identitycollaborative work with living composers, shadow puppeteers, and multidisciplinary artistshow educators can guide young musicians toward authenticity in a rapidly changing worldIt's a conversation about healing, devotion, heritage, and the power of sound to help us make sense of where we come from — and where we're going.

Here is the TRAILER — Between Worlds: From Sarajevo to New York: A Conversation on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection feat. Mirna LekićThis week on The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist and champion of new music Mirna Lekić for a conversation that moves between cultures, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of artistic identity. From Sarajevo to New York, we explore cultural crossings, sonic imagination, and the power of music to connect and ground us.✨ The full episode drops this Tuesday, December 9 at 8pm ET — and I'd love for you to join us.

Happy Thanksgiving! In this bonus episode, I'm sharing something deeply personal — a part of my identity I've rarely spoken about publicly. I am a third-generation Zainichi Korean, born and raised in Japan, and I'm finally stepping into that history through a new creative initiative called The Zainichi Music Project, now sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts.This episode marks the beginning of that journey — a project that will grow into a living archive of research, new music commissions, recordings, interviews, and documentary work.In this episode, I talk about:What the word Zainichi actually means,How Japanese colonial rule — not immigration — brought our community into Japan,How postwar restructuring and the San Francisco Peace Treaty left Zainichi Koreans stateless,What it meant to be born and raised in a country that never fully recognized us as citizens,And why this project is my way of honoring our history, resilience, and creative legacy.For those who want to go deeper, please read my Substack essay, “Behind the Mic: Reclaiming Voice Through Sound,” where I share more about my experience growing up Zainichi.Thank you for listening — and for being part of The Piano Pod community. If you'd like to follow this new project, you can subscribe to Substack and follow @zainichimusicproject on Instagram and TikTok.More soon, and thank you for supporting this next chapter.

In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher — whose work has reshaped how we think about artistry, embodiment, and the future of piano performance. Elena has long been a force of quiet revolution. Long before conversations about inclusivity and expanded repertoire entered the mainstream, she was commissioning bold new works, centering Latin-American and women composers, and exploring how breath, movement, and somatic awareness can transform the way we play and teach music. This conversation travels across the full spectrum of her artistry — from embodied performance to cultural identity, from the menstrual cycle as a source of creativity to breaking nineteenth-century norms about who pianists should be and what they should play. If you've ever wondered how breath shapes sound, how identity shapes expression, or how artists can create courageously beyond convention, this is a conversation you won't forget. [Explore Elena's Work] Salsa Nueva — Score (16-piece anthology):

Get ready for our next episode of The Piano Pod: The Embodied Pianist with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher.In this powerful conversation, we explore embodied performance, somatics, breath, creativity, cultural identity, and even the menstrual cycle as a source of artistic insight. Elena's work challenges long-held assumptions about what pianists should play, how they should train, and how the body shapes sound.In this episode, Elena and I talk about:✅ Her journey from Venezuela to the UK — and how navigating multiple identities shaped her artistry✅ The creation of Salsa Nueva and the importance of commissioning new works✅ What it means to challenge 19th-century biases about repertoire and artistic identity✅ Her work as an embodied pianist and how somatics, breath, and movement transform playing✅ Collaboration with dancers, visual artists, poets, and composers✅ Why she opens taboo conversations like creativity and the menstrual cycle among biologically female performers

In this trailer, get a glimpse into my upcoming conversation with Quentin Walston — a pianist, composer, and educator known for his joyful fusion of jazz, improvisation, and storytelling. In this episode, we dive into creativity, connection, and the spirit of collaboration that defines his work and the evolving world of modern musicianship.✨ Watch the YouTube Premiere: https://youtu.be/hYK86QGXxW0

The Piano Pod Live in Concert: A Bold New Chapter in Classical Music marked the first-ever live event for the award-winning podcast and YouTube show The Piano Pod, conceived and hosted by Executive Producer Yukimi Song. Presented in collaboration with Mannes Prep, a pre-college music program offering comprehensive and nurturing pre-professional training at The New School, this milestone concert brought the show's signature format — music performance, interview, and panel discussion — from the digital space to the stage.

In this special premiere of Encore Conversations, The Piano Pod's brand-new alumni series, I sit down with award-winning pianist, author, and educator Jeeyoon Kim. You may remember her from Season 3, where she inspired us with her originality, authenticity, and mission to make concerts deeply personal. Now she returns with her most intimate project yet — her second book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance.In our Encore Conversation, Jeeyoon opens up about:✅ The inspiration behind Beyond the Keys ✅ Why she chose to share her deepest challenges with her readers ✅ What she discovered about herself through writing ✅ How her new album Radiance expands on the book's themes of love, resilience, and connection

✨ Season 6 of The Piano Pod is here! ✨ This year, it's all about Creativity and Connection — the messy, vulnerable, transformative stories behind the music.

Thinking about starting a podcast—but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin? I created a mini-course for artists, educators, and independent creatives who want to build a podcast that feels authentic, intentional, and achievable. And this bonus episode is a FREE intro lesson. Inside, I'll walk you through what to expect in my full course, share a bit of my story, and show you that you don't need fancy gear or a business plan to start—you just need your voice and a clear path. ▶️▶️ Explore the full course here: https://tr.ee/letspodcast

This episode is brought to you by Juneteenth LP — celebrating Black artistry and legacy in classical music.

This episode is brought to you by ‪Juneteenth LP — Celebrating Black artistry and legacy in classical music.

In this inspiring episode of The Piano Pod, "Bach Reimagined - Artistic Innovation of Timeless Music for All Audiences," Eleonor Bindman - pianist, arranger, and recording artist - joins us for an intimate conversation about her groundbreaking work reimagining the music of J.S. Bach for solo and four-hand piano.From her bestselling Brandenburg Duets with Jenny Lin to her most recent solo project ABSOLUTE—featuring beautifully idiomatic piano transcriptions of Bach's Lute Suites—Eleonor's artistry invites musicians and listeners of all levels to discover the joy, depth, and brilliance of Bach.In this episode, we talk about:Why she believes “there is no one way to play Bach”Her transcription philosophy and creative processAdvocating for accessible classical music—without compromising qualityHow piano duets can foster collaboration, joy, and musicianship at every stageTips for navigating polyphony, articulation, pedaling, and ornamentation in Bach's keyboard worksHer Stepping Stones to Bach series and empowering adult amateurs and young students alikeLegacy, innovation, and what it means to be a 21st-century artist-educator

“It became vital to me to focus on a new way of looking at Bach's music…” — Eleonor BindmanHere is the trailer for the upcoming episode of The Piano Pod

Please vote for The Piano Pod HERE!Hi friends! The Piano Pod has been named a semi-finalist for Best Video Podcast in the 2025 Quill Podcast Awards! Today is the last day to vote and help bring classical music to the global stage (May 8, 2025). It's been an incredible five years of dedication and hard work, and I couldn't be prouder of this incredible honor to be a semi-finalist. As the creator and executive producer of The Piano Pod, I've learned so much—whether creating content, interviewing industry leaders, or building this platform from the ground up. And I'm so grateful to all of you who've tuned in every other week, whether on YouTube or your favorite podcast platforms. Thank you for being part of this journey. The Piano Pod has inspired, challenged, and connected so many of us—and now it's time to stand with this mission. Cast your vote today and help bring these stories to the world. ✨ Visit quillpodcasting.com/qpa/quill-podcast-awards to vote—it takes less than a minute! Let's show the world how powerful these stories are. Thank you so much for your support! #Vote #semifinalist #quillpodcastawards #thepianopod

What does it mean to carry a musical legacy forward—not through imitation, but through living artistry? In this powerful and intimate episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with pianist-scholar Jarred Dunn and concert pianist Anna Górecka, daughter of the legendary Polish composer Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, to explore his emotional, historical, and deeply human world of music.We discuss the making of their new album, Górecki's World of Piano—featuring the first-ever recording of an unpublished Górecki piano work—and what it means to honor a legacy while creating something new. Along the way, we reflect on Górecki's profound impact, his voice as a composer, and the responsibility of carrying forward a family and cultural tradition through music.This conversation isn't just about music; it's about mentorship, intergenerational collaboration, identity, history, and what it truly means to be a classical musician today.

“How many hours did you practice today?” If that question still defines your worth as a musician, this episode might just change your life.In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Molly Gebrian—violist, neuroscience researcher, educator, and author of Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing—joins The Piano Pod to challenge everything we thought we knew about practice.Together, we explore why the illusion of mastery fools us, how interleaved practice transforms learning, and why breaks and sleep are not just helpful but essential to progress. Molly breaks down the science behind habit formation, memory systems, mental practice, and performance consistency, offering musicians practical tools backed by decades of cognitive research.Whether you're a student struggling with frustration, a teacher eager to support diverse learners, or a professional performer looking to sharpen your edge, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Piano Pod, Mastering Musical Heritage—Exploring Spanish Piano Traditions and Embracing Puerto Rican Identity, I had the privilege of speaking with José Ramos Santana, a Steinway Artist and one of the foremost interpreters of Spanish and Latin American piano music. This conversation is a deep dive into the passion, heritage, and evolution of Spanish and Caribbean piano traditions.From the expressive genius of Albéniz, Granados, and de Falla to the rich cultural legacy of Puerto Rican composers, José shares his insights on interpreting this repertoire with authenticity and heart. He reflects on his journey from Puerto Rico to Juilliard, the mentorship of Alicia de Larrocha, and his ongoing mission to mentor the next generation of pianists through meaningful cultural connection.

Enjoy the Trailer of The Piano Pod's Upcoming Episode feat. Jose Ramos Santana! Finally! After a one-episode (2-week) delay due to technical issues, The Piano Pod is back with a powerful conversation!

In this episode of The Piano Pod, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nimrod Borenstein—acclaimed composer and conductor—about his remarkable journey in music. From his early days as a violinist to becoming one of today's most celebrated composers, Nimrod shares his artistic philosophy, the evolution of his piano works, and the influences that have shaped his unique voice.We dive deep into his signature piano works, including Reminiscences of Childhood and his 24 Études, explore the inspiration behind his Shirim collection, and discuss his collaborations with legendary musicians like Vladimir Ashkenazy. His insights into the challenges of composing for piano, the storytelling power of music, and his artistic legacy make this an episode you won't want to miss!IN THIS EPISODE:

Here is the trailer of our upcoming episode feat. Nimrod Borenstein. In this episode of The Piano Pod, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nimrod Borenstein—acclaimed composer and conductor—about his remarkable journey in music. From his early days as a violinist to becoming one of today's most celebrated composers, Nimrod shares his artistic philosophy, the evolution of his piano works, and the influences that have shaped his unique voice.We dive deep into his signature piano works, including Reminiscences of Childhood and his 24 Études, explore the inspiration behind his Shirim collection, and discuss his collaborations with legendary musicians like Vladimir Ashkenazy. His insights into the challenges of composing for piano, the storytelling power of music, and his artistic legacy make this an episode you won't want to miss!IN THIS EPISODE:

I had an incredible conversation with Ophelia Gordon —concert pianist, recording artist, and one of the world's leading interpreters of Nikolai Kapustin's music—for Season 5, Episode 12! Ophelia's artistry defies categorization. She seamlessly blends the rhythmic pulse of jazz with the technical depth of classical music—a rare and extraordinary balance. Her discovery of Kapustin's music was a pivotal moment, leading her to a composer who, like her, refused to be boxed into a single genre.

We're kicking off 2025 with a special bonus episode of The Piano Pod! In this episode, we feature the extraordinary José Navarro-Silberstein concert pianist and winner of the Kantuta Op. 2 Scholarship, awarded by our Sponsor of the Month, the Foundation for Bolivian Artists.

We're kicking off 2025 with a special bonus episode of The Piano Pod—coming your way on Tuesday, January 7!