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.com

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. (contact@cynthiaalistudios.com)

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.com

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. (contact@cynthiaalistudios.com)

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/pianocommunity

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. (contact@cynthiaalistudios.com)

The views expressed are those of the host(s) and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of Cynthia Ali Studios LLC.