In this episode, I reflect on Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein through the intertwined worlds of art, music, history, and atmosphere. My son and I have long loved del Toro’s richly imaginative films, and seeing his At Home with Monsters exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art gave us a deeper appreciation for the way he blends beauty, darkness, grief, and wonder. Watching Frankenstein, I was especially drawn to the ornate Rococo-style piano and the use of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue No. 17, both of which bring refinement, order, and humanity into the film’s Gothic world. From Georgian salons to Victorian parlors, the piano has long represented culture, creativity, and emotional expression. This episode explores how one beautiful instrument can connect a cinematic story of creation and identity to centuries of musical history—and remind us why the piano always seems to find its way into the heart of the story.More info: www.cynthiaalistudios.comCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

In this episode, I share the story of a day that felt filled with unexpected beauty, music, and joy. It began with a warm 150th-anniversary piano association lunch at the Saint Paul Grill, complete with salmon, conversation, a surprise flourless chocolate cake, and one vivid fuchsia rose still blooming outside in the November cold. From there, we walked to the Landmark Center for Dr. Nicholas Susi’s recital, which included left-hand works by Scriabin and Bach followed by Debussy’s Preludes, Book II. Sitting in the front row, I was able to watch the physical artistry of the performance up close, from delicate colors and blurred hand movements to dramatic glissandos and thunderous bass effects. The music moved from misty landscapes to humor, mystery, ancient stillness, and finally the dazzling brilliance of Feux d’artifice, which felt like fireworks exploding from inside the piano itself. This episode reflects on how joy can arrive through friendship, beauty, shared listening, and small luminous moments, like a rose blooming at the edge of winter. Find out more: www.cynthiaalistudios.comopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

In this episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, I continue the summer series by stepping out into the sunlit world of music and reflecting on a flute choir showcase where the piano made an unexpected appearance. During the concert, a pianist joined the ensemble for Scott Joplin’s lively Maple Leaf Rag, bringing ragtime energy, rhythm, and charm into a flute-centered setting. The experience reminded me that piano is not only a solo instrument for practicing at home, but also a powerful collaborative instrument that can accompany singers, instrumentalists, choirs, ensembles, and community events of all kinds. This episode explores how learning piano opens doors into the wider world of music and how even a simple musical outing can remind us that the piano can take us almost anywhere.More info: www.cynthiaalistudios.comCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

In this episode of Learn Piano: A Personal Practice, I continue the summer series by stepping out into the sunlit world of music and reflecting on the people who inspire us to play. I share the story of meeting Amy Grant at a small event at the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis after following her music since eighth grade, when I first played through her Age to Age songbook at the piano. Hearing her perform new songs and briefly meeting her afterward brought together my childhood musical memories and my adult life as a piano teacher. This episode invites listeners to think about their own musical influences, whether from childhood or later in life, and to consider how those early inspirations can become part of a meaningful personal piano practice today.For more info: www.cynthiaalistudios.comCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

In this episode, you get a preview of the Summer Series Season 2, where we’ll explore music in unexpected places, including a little white church with a pump organ, a Jeremy Camp concert, an Amy Grant event, a Debussy recital, a flute choir performance with Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag, and more. We also look back at last summer’s first “Out and About in the Sunlit World of Music” series and invite listeners to revisit the episodes they may have missed. Season 1 included a book review of The Little Chronicle of Magdalena Bach, a visit to the Schubert Club Museum at the Landmark Center, a piano concerto outing, a Piano Lounge conversation with guest Jim Freschi, reflections on a day in the life of a pianist, an unboxing of music from one of my outings, and a final reflection on what music filled the summer. It’s an invitation to step away from the piano bench and discover music out in the wider world.For more info: www.cynthiaalistudios.comCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

As we close Season 5, we come back to the heart of musical artistry, not as something you force, but something you discover through listening, curiosity, and experience, where history, emotion, story, technique, and personal voice all come together to bring music to life; thank you for being part of this journey, and if you missed any episodes, I invite you to go back and explore them.As we move closer into summer, you can look forward to a special 6-week series, starting Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 where we step away from the piano bench and into the sunlight world of music, exploring fresh topics beyond the keys, just like last year, before returning in the fall with Season 6 on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026.For more information: https://www.cynthiaalistudios.com/pianocommunityCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

In this episode, Cynthia explores what it means to move beyond playing correct notes and begin truly embodying the music, where the performer feels the rhythm, breath, and emotion so deeply that the music and player become one; drawing on examples like Édith Piaf, Glenn Gould, and Dalida, she illustrates how great artists fully live inside the sound they create, and she shares her own experience preparing for certification, where shifting from technical focus to physical and emotional connection brought her playing to life, offering simple ways to begin such as clapping rhythms, swaying with the pulse, singing phrases, and sensing the atmosphere of the piece, ultimately inviting pianists to experience music not just as something to execute but as something to become.Cynthia Ali Studios: www.cynthiaalistudios.com/pianocommunityCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

In this episode, we explore how your artistic voice at the piano is shaped through the choices you make every day. From the pieces and composers you are drawn to, to the mood, setting, and even the order of your program, your voice is already revealing itself. Even when playing from the same score as others, your individuality comes through in what you choose to bring to life. This episode invites you to notice what feels natural and meaningful to you, and to trust that your artistic voice is not something you force, but something you discover over timeFind out more here: Adult Piano Community | Cynthia Ali StudiosCopyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

S5:E9 – Stage Presence: Preparation to the UnexpectedIn this episode, we explore stage presence as a complete, practical picture—from what you wear and how you walk on stage, to your inner attitude, expression while playing, and how you acknowledge the audience at the end. Each element works together to create a confident and connected performance. But beyond preparation, we also look at the unexpected moments that can happen in live performance, and how true stage presence is revealed in how you handle them. With real examples and simple strategies, this episode guides you in building both the outer and inner skills needed to stay grounded, composed, and expressive—no matter what unfolds on stage.Copyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.

Pedaling at the piano can be thought of like using a paintbrush, where the goal is to find just the right amount of sound without making it muddy or too dry. Just as an artist must rinse the brush to keep colors clear, a pianist must clear the pedal to maintain clarity in the music. The pedal can connect tones, shape phrases through lifting, and add resonance at the end of a piece, but it requires careful listening and adjustment. This idea of “just enough” reflects a broader principle also found in the Tao Te Ching, where overfilling a cup or over-sharpening a knife leads to loss of function. In the same way, effective pedaling is not about using more, but about sensing when enough is enough to keep the music clear, expressive, and alive.Copyright © 2026 Cynthia Ali Studios LLC. All rights reserved.The music in this podcast is either public domain,original, or used under Fair Use for educational purposes. Any third-party content is used for commentary, criticism, or education and does not infringe upon original creators' rights. ([email protected])The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.