🥳Happy New Year! As an inaugural episode of the new year, we had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Michael Coonrod, a distinguished Classical Pianist, Recording Artist, Educator, and Arranger specializing in music for the Left Hand Alone 🎶

Recently retired from his illustrious 46-year tenure as a piano faculty member at the renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts, Dr. Coonrod boasts an impressive teaching career spanning over 50 years and a performing career exceeding 65 years!

Part 1 of this interview covers Dr. Coonrod’s reflections on his 46 years of teaching at the Interlochen Arts Academy and practical tips on nurturing technical excellence and overcoming performance anxiety.

• 🎧 Part 2 of this interview will be released next Tuesday, January 16, 2024!
• You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel!

🎼 Meet Dr. Coonrod: a distinguished pianist, recording artist, and a former piano faculty member at Interlochen Arts Academy for 46 years. He has shaped countless students and presented diverse piano recitals worldwide. As a soloist, he performed with orchestras, and his repertoire spans Beethoven, Mozart, Gershwin, and contemporary American composers. Coonrod, mentored by Lucien Hut and Konrad Wolff, holds degrees from the University of Montana and The Peabody Conservatory of Music. His dedication earned him recognition as a "Kentucky Colonel" in 1996. Coonrod's discography includes an album promoting scholarships for composition students and a two-CD set featuring Franz Schubert's solo piano music. Beyond music, Coonrod indulges in model railroads, chamber music, and accompanying church choirs, crafting a symphony of diverse interests.

• Please contact Dr. Coonrod via email 📧 to purchase his CDs.
• 🎧 You can also listen to his recordings on Spotify
• 🌐 Learn more about Dr. Coonrod: https://michaelcoonrod.net
• 🎁 Episode Contributor: Pokie Huang

🎶 This episode is brought to you by Yukimi Song Studio 🎹 Discover the magic of music with Yukimi. Realize your dream, create joyful melodies, and express yourself on the keys. Let's play piano together! Visit the website to learn more.

🎹 About The Piano Pod

Greetings, piano lovers! I'm Yukimi Song, your host from NYC. Every fortnight, join me as I delve deep into the world of PIANO with groundbreakers from the classical music industry. Our mission? To provide a platform for classical musicians and educators to reflect and discuss how to keep our industry robust and relevant in this rapidly changing world and move it forward in the post-pandemic era.

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