Sigma Alpha Iota

6 Spring 2024 • sai-national.org By Cedrice Young It took me 20 years to build towards a life changing four- day experience. e biennial National Convention of Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) took place in late July. I didn't consider how this convention would be a major source of inspiration and motivation that I didn't realize I needed. is convention was unlike anything I've ever done. Who would have thought that a Piano Inspires! magazine ad would lead to me networking and connecting with various pianists, pedagogues, and piano educators from across the nation. As a first-time NCKP attendee, I knew it was imperative that I made the most out of every presentation, social hour, and recital the convention had to offer. I was also a business owner, with my business Fancy Fingers Publishing, LLC, that participated in the Entrepreneurs' Corner, a division of the NCKP Marketplace where publishers and piano education businesses sold their products." However, my ambitious attempts proved to be a misjudgment of what I realistically could handle. For anyone who chooses to attend NCKP, please be aware: you will be exhausted! Presentations began as early as 8 am and provided an excellent opportunity for piano professionals to learn various topics within our field. And if it wasn't a presentation I was trying to observe, there was a recital I wanted to attend, or a keynote speaker I wanted to take a picture with! Many legends in the field of piano study frequented this event, such as Dr. Artina McCain, Dr. Leah Claiborne, Dr. William Chapman Nyaho, and fellow SAI, Dr. Joyce McCall. My time spent at NCKP offered an experience that inspired and changed me, so let's start from day one and work our way through that last week of July. Wednesday marked the official first day of the convention. e welcoming speech was given by the CEO of e Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, Dr. Jennifer Snow. Dr. Snow provided the introduction of our first keynote speaker, Karen Zorn. Zorn gave an insightful and inspiring speech on the benefits of cultural diplomacy across all nations. I recall this being the first example of a recurring topic presented at NCKP: a need for culturally relevant approaches in music. is theme would echo throughout many presentations, sessions, and concerts. at evening, the opening concert, "Piano Stories on Stage LIVE," took place. Eight pianists told eight stories prior to performing their respective programs. It was enjoyable to experience the personalities of these pianists through their music. ursday proved to be even better because of the PEDx series. Just as the popular TED Talk series, the PEDx talks included inspiring stories of loss, triumph, and creation through our shared love of music. Brendan Jacklin and Ashlee Young are co-directors of A Seat at the Piano, a non-profit organization that advocates for the inclusion, study, and performance of diverse repertoire. Both presenters gave a brilliant presentation on the need to "expand the canon" and the limits of repertoire requirements. Dr. Artina McCain shared her experiences through her self- proclaimed "resurrection" aer suffering a major hand injury that briefly stunted her career. e word resurrection proved to be appropriate as she shared her success story of rebuilding herself as a performer. e PEDx series continued throughout ursday and Friday of the convention week. On Friday, I attended the NCKP Awards Ceremony & Champagne Gala Reception. is ceremony celebrated NCKP's 25 th anniversary with many pedagogues and performers receiving the Outstanding Service award for their achievements and accolades in our field. e program honored two Lifetime Achievement Award recipients: Dr. Michelle Conda, Professor of Piano at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and George Frederick Litterst, an accomplished music educator with accolades across education, performance, and music soware development. Once Saturday arrived, all too quickly I must add, the "close of conference" blues began to kick in. With all events ending at 1:30 pm, I recall myself spending my Saturday packing my clothes and reflecting on my eventful week. ere was a moment I found myself in the hotel lobby and noticed how quiet and peaceful the atmosphere became once most of the conference attendees departed. In the beginning of this article, I stated how it took me 20 years to build towards this life-changing convention. I say this because for most of my life, my career as a pianist and piano teacher felt like a never-ending uphill battle. Some days are great, some are stagnant, and some are discouraging. However, this convention reminded me that when I choose to love my career work through all situations and obstacles, I can find myself at the intersection of strong work ethic and opportunity. At that intersection, I found myself at NCKP and since then, I have become grounded in my purpose and passion as a music educator and advocate of the arts. Cedrice Young, an initiate of Zeta eta at Valdosta State University, is a pianist in Atlanta, GA and owner of Fancy Fingers Publishing LLC., which teaches about the history and influence of African American composers and their music. She received a 2022-23 Professional Development Grant from SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Ms. CeCe takes NCKP SAI Philanries, Inc.

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