Pianists Not Practicing

Chloe Weston

Welcome to Pianists Not Practicing — A biweekly show that catches classical pianists out in the wild - outside of the practice room (!!) - and spills all the juicy details about their lives. We dive into candid, unfiltered conversations with pianists at all stages of their careers—from seasoned pros to fresh-faced grads. OK fine, we’ll talk about practicing — let’s be real — but we’ll also get into everything else: the creative process, career twists and turns, mindset, body care, and all the behind-the-scenes realities of being a musician. So, whether you’re looking for inspiration, solidarity, or you just wanna hang out in the practice room hallway, talk shit, and avoid practice with us — you’re in the right place. We’re all in this together. Hosted by Canadian classical pianist, Chloe Weston You can keep up with Pianists Not Practicing on Instagram @ChloeWestonPianist and YouTube @ChloeWestonPianist

  1. Oct 29

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Cuba…with Darío Martín

    Welcome to our episode with Dr. Darío Martín - hailing from Havana, Cuba, Darío is a dynamic and versatile pianist who enjoys an international career of solo, chamber and collaborative work. Darío is such an energetic light of a person and brings joy and enthusiasm to all that he does. His positive outlook and enduring spirit are so inspiring and I can’t wait for you to hear this episode and feel that joy for yourself. He is always up for an adventure and enjoys travelling and seeing new places (while playing piano and not!), which has led to an international career spanning opera, conducting, solo concerts and collaborative tours. In this episode we dive into why Darío LOVES competitions and the rich experiences that they can bring into your life, his approach to systematic practice and the art of preparing for a recital with confidence and self-belief. Darío shares with us his own techniques to create self-trust in the practice room and how that can translate to the stage - bringing safety and familiarity wherever you go. We talk about everything from his obsession with Hanon, to his experiences playing Mozart in Salzburg, to recording new music of Latin Americas composers - Dario’s breadth of experience is amazing. Check out his bio below!: A prize-winning artist, Dr. Martin has earned first prizes in prestigious piano competitions in Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, and the United States. Highlights include winning the 2018 Concerto Competition at Indiana University with a performance of Ligeti’s Piano Concerto and securing First Prize at the 2014 José Jacinto Cuevas Yamaha Piano International Competition in Mexico. Dr. Martin has performed extensively across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His appearances as a soloist include performances with the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the Havana Chamber Orchestra, and the Yucatán Symphony Orchestra. Recent engagements feature recitals at the Young Pianist Series in Knoxville, the Wakkerstroom Music Festival in South Africa, masterclasses and concerts in Costa Rica, performances in France, and Austria—including Lieder recitals in Salzburg. Currently on the piano faculty at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Dr. Martin teaches Applied Piano Lessons, Piano Literature, Piano Pedagogy, Chamber Music, and Keyboard Skills. He previously taught at the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 2023 to 2025. During this time, he collaborated with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, the Northern Lights String Orchestra, and both faculty and guest artists. Since 2022, he has served as music director, conductor, and collaborative pianist at the Austrian-American Mozart Academy in Salzburg. Dr. Martin earned his Doctor of Music in Piano Literature and Performance from Indiana University–Bloomington, studying under Arnaldo Cohen, with minors in Collaborative Piano and Music Education. He also holds a Performer’s Diploma and Master of Music from Southern Methodist University, where he studied with renowned pianist Joaquín Achúcarro, and a Bachelor of Music from the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana. An acclaimed recording artist, his debut album El Álbum de la Ciudad Celeste (2011) won the Cubadisco Award for Best Classical Solo Album. Additional recordings include Netzaj, in collaboration with trumpet player Fadev Sanjudo, and Up into the Silence, with singer Diana Fuentes. His second solo album, Juegos de Agua, was released by FT Music in Mexico. His most recent CD in collaboration with trumpet player Arthur Zanin will be released in 2026. He is a recognized legacy pianist of the Joaquín Achúcarro Foundation. Enjoy! Check out Darío’s work at www.dariomartin.com and follow him on insta @dario.martin.148 Check out his festival in Tuscany this winter at www.musicaliallc.com/masterclasses-in-pistoia Applications close November 1st! Darío’s performance on this episode is a piece from his El Álbum de la Ciudad Celeste: Acrícolos en el espacio - you can hear more and watch his music video here! ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Cuba…with Darío Martín

  2. Oct 15

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Porto…with MARIEL MAYZ

    Welcome to our episode with Mariel Mayz - a sought-after pianist, composer, educator and administrator from New York City. Mariel’s original works have been described as “inventive, colorful, compelling, and well-crafted.” She currently lives a rich musical life, teaching at multiple universities in New York, composing new works, performing recitals and running Porto Piano Fest - an annual international piano festival in Porto, Portugal as Associate Director. In this episode we ask the question: is making an album even worth it these days?! We hear from Mariel how the experience of making an album has allowed her the opportunity to grow and gain confidence as a performer - providing the rare chance for her to dive deep into her album repertoire and perform multiple concerts of the same program. Mariel shares her huge breakthrough connecting mind and body while performing - and how she learned to calm her body down in the height of performance anxiety - and how it all came about thanks to her new son! Mariel also shares her approach to building confidence onstage through adversity training in the practice room. We conclude with a deep dive into the international piano festival that she runs with her husband, Nuno Marques, Porto Piano Fest! We take it way back to see how it all began 11 years ago with two students and a dream and how it has grown into the success story it is today. Mariel shares how they think about programming, connecting with venues and partners, integrating themselves into the community and rich culture that already exists in Porto, and bringing the best experience they can to the pianists that participate and audiences that come to take part. Enjoy! Check out Mariel’s work at www.marielmayz.com and follow her on insta @mariel_mayz Check out Porto Piano Fest at www.portopianofest.com and their gorgeous insta @portopianofest Mariel’s performance on this episode is a piece by Leo Brouwer entitled “An Idea: Passacaglia for Eli” You can hear her album: Cuban Sketches for Piano, dedicated to the works of Leo Brouwer that also features her own compositions here ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Porto…with MARIEL MAYZ

  3. Oct 1

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Porto…with MARIEL MAYZ

    Welcome to our episode with Mariel Mayz - a sought-after pianist, composer, educator and administrator from New York City. Mariel’s original works have been described as “inventive, colorful, compelling, and well-crafted.” She currently lives a rich musical life, teaching at multiple universities in New York, composing new works, performing recitals and running Porto Piano Fest - an annual international piano festival in Porto, Portugal as Associate Director. In this episode we chat about her journey to becoming a composer, and how her composing was actually born out of a combination of curiosity and exploration through improv and a desire to understand piano technique more fully (hello chopin?!) and how her rigorous ballet training as a child combined with her piano studies have informed her approach to learning new music, teaching and composing. We discuss many questions about how pianists can learn to find their own voice and make their own choices at the piano. Improvisation, composition and performance all come together on her latest album, entitled Cuban Sketches for Piano, dedicated to the works of Leo Brouwer. A composer who Mariel describes as one who lives in a sphere without genre, his pieces have fundamentally changed the way she approaches learning any piece at the instrument. Mariel shares her journey to creating this album that features not only music by Brouwer but also her own compositions and arrangements. Enjoy! Check out Mariel’s work at www.marielmayz.com and follow her on insta @mariel_mayz Mariel’s performance on this episode is a piece she wrote entitled “Variations on a Theme by Brouwer” You can hear her Cuban Sketches for Piano dedicated to the works of Leo Brouwer that also features her own compositions here ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Porto…with MARIEL MAYZ

  4. Sep 17

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Toronto…with YOLANDA TAPIA

    Welcome to our episode with Dr. Yolanda Tapia - a Mexican-born pianist, educator, vocal coach, and Fulbright Scholar, currently based in Toronto, Canada. Yolanda’s career is so kaleidoscopic and in this episode we dive into the many facets of how she lives as an artist - we cover her work as a collaborative pianist, opera coach, lecturer, and educator and how her musical journey has led her to many unexpected places, including 8 months performing at sea! As a co-founder of Obsidiana Duo, with Brazilian mezzo-soprano Camila Montefusco, Yolanda is redefining the art song recital experience to champion the music of Latin America and to reflect her own heritage exploring themes of immigration, cultural identity, and belonging through acting, storytelling, and movement. We dive into Obsidiana Duo’s latest experiences touring and creating their upcoming album (to be released in november!) - which even features pieces written by Yolanda herself. We explore her recent exploration into the world of tango in her work with Solidaridad Tango - an all-female tango band based in Toronto - and her experience transitioning into a new genre of music outside of her comfort zone. We even dive into the administrative side of being an artist: grant writing, how to pitch yourself to presenters, how to advocate for your artistic vision and still retain your artistic integrity. This convo reflects Yolanda’s brave approach to life as a musician - always up for a new challenge (hello composing!) and learning something new. She is an inspiration in truly making it happen - following opportunities, cultivating collaborators, championing underrepresented repertoire, learning new disciplines, and treating the non-musical parts of being an artist—grants, websites, marketing, networking, teaching, and physical wellbeing—as essential parts of the work. Enjoy! Check out Yolanda’s work at www.yolandatapia.com and follow her on insta @yolandatapiano You can learn more about her duo with Camila Montefusco at www.obsidianaduo.com ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Toronto…with YOLANDA TAPIA

  5. Sep 3

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Calgary…with JANI PARSONS

    Part 2 Welcome to our episode with Canadian pianist Jani Parsons! Praised for her “combination of tenderness and vivacious energy” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “sheer virtuosity” (LA Splash), Canadian pianist Jani Parsons has established herself as a musician of warmth, brilliance, versatility, and vivid expression. An active soloist and chamber musician, Jani is a founding member and executive director of Latitude 49, a mixed chamber ensemble recently in residence at Princeton University and the pianist of the Aurora Trio with violinist Timothy Steeves and cellist Max Geissler. Jani is the queen of contemporary music - with over 80 new premieres of solo and chamber music under her belt (she’s actually lost count!) many of which have come to life through her ensemble Latitude 49 that she founded during her days at the University of Michigan. She is a multi-faceted artist who not only leads Latitude 49, but has founded a contemporary music festival in Calgary: SoundAtlas, and shares her artistry with the next generation as Assistant Professor and Head of Piano at the University of Calgary. In this episode we learn about *how* Jani has created such an incredible body of work - over 80 commissions! - and why she places such value on working with living composers. We also learn about her music festival, SoundAtlas, from its humble beginnings to the success that it is today, and we explore her experience writing her own cadenza for the Canadian premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s piano concerto, Rounds. This episode is filled to the brim with amazing advice and insights - if you’ve ever wanted to start your own festival, start commissioning new works, or even compose your own cadenzas - this one is for you! Jani has so much wisdom to share with us. You can check out Jani’s bio below!: As an avid performer and supporter of living composers, Jani has worked directly with many composers including Steve Reich, Christopher Cerrone, John Zorn, Stacy Garrop, Marc Mellits, Roshanne Etezady, Augusta Read Thomas, Jared Miller and Shulamit Ran and has premiered upwards of eighty new solo and chamber works. A sought-after chamber musician, Jani has appeared with the Pittsburg New Music Ensemble, members of Bang On a Can All-Stars, Eighth Blackbird, and New Music Detroit as well as members of the Chicago and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. Performances across North America include the Chan Centre for the Arts (Vancouver, British Columbia), the Banff Centre for the Arts, Detroit Symphony Center, Detroit Institute of Arts, the Ravinia Festival and the Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago) and at various educational institutions including the New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Southern Mississippi University, and Northwestern University among others. She is especially enthusiastic about featuring a wide array of “classics” and undiscovered masterpieces in her programming that spans from pre-Baroque to newly inked works. 2020 was a prolific year of recordings for Latitude 49 (featuring Jani on piano) including the band's sophomore album, Wax and Wire released on the New Amsterdam Label, and albums released through New Focus Recordings and Furious Artisans. Other recordings include Lumina Duo’s album Beau Soir: French Music for Oboe and Piano on the MSR label and Latitude 49’s debut album Curious Minds hailed as an “Impressive debut” by Bandcamp Daily’s Peter Margasak. She has recorded on the Tzadik label and Çedille Records and has been featured on CBC radio, and WFMT in Chicago. Hailing from the West Coast of Canada, Jani studied with Lorraine Ambrose at the Vancouver Academy of Music (B.M. in Piano Performance), with graduate studies at the University of Michigan under Arthur Greene and John Ellis (M.M. and DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy). She holds a performer’s diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (A.R.C.T.) and a certificate of theory pedagogy from the University of Michigan. A dynamic teacher, she has taught many award-winning students and presented pedagogical research in various national conferences. Jani has recently published a two-book series, Technique Through Repertoire, alongside co-author Christopher Madden that was released in 2022 through Piano Education Press, and serves on the National (US) Program Committee of the NCKP Conference through the Frances Clark Center. Jani has given masterclasses across the United States and served on faculty at the Fresh Inc. Summer festival, the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp and the Piracicaba International Piano Festival in Brazil. She served on faculty at Baylor University's School of Music from 2017-2021 where was recognized as an OVPR Rising Star for her potential for research and early-career development. In 2021, she was appointed as Assistant Professor and head of the piano program at the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts. Check out Jani’s work at www.janiparsons.com and follow her on insta @janiparsons ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Calgary…with JANI PARSONS

  6. Aug 20

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Calgary…with JANI PARSONS

    Part 1 Welcome to our episode with Canadian pianist Jani Parsons! Praised for her “combination of tenderness and vivacious energy” (San Francisco Chronicle) and “sheer virtuosity” (LA Splash), Canadian pianist Jani Parsons has established herself as a musician of warmth, brilliance, versatility, and vivid expression. An active soloist and chamber musician, Jani is a founding member and executive director of Latitude 49, a mixed chamber ensemble recently in residence at Princeton University and the pianist of the Aurora Trio with violinist Timothy Steeves and cellist Max Geissler. Jani is the queen of contemporary music - with over 80 new premieres of solo and chamber music under her belt (she’s actually lost count!) many of which have come to life through her ensemble Latitude 49 that she founded during her days at the University of Michigan. She is a multi-faceted artist who not only leads Latitude 49, but has founded a contemporary music festival in Calgary: SoundAtlas, and shares her artistry with the next generation as Assistant Professor and Head of Piano at the University of Calgary. In this episode we pick her professor brain about what skills pianists need to be cultivating during their studies in order to be successful artists after university, and what drives her passion for contemporary music in today’s world. This convo is full of inspiration and ideas as Jani shares her enthusiasm for creating new music and finding the scrappy way to a solution in any scenario 💪 You can check out Jani’s bio below!: As an avid performer and supporter of living composers, Jani has worked directly with many composers including Steve Reich, Christopher Cerrone, John Zorn, Stacy Garrop, Marc Mellits, Roshanne Etezady, Augusta Read Thomas, Jared Miller and Shulamit Ran and has premiered upwards of eighty new solo and chamber works. A sought-after chamber musician, Jani has appeared with the Pittsburg New Music Ensemble, members of Bang On a Can All-Stars, Eighth Blackbird, and New Music Detroit as well as members of the Chicago and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. Performances across North America include the Chan Centre for the Arts (Vancouver, British Columbia), the Banff Centre for the Arts, Detroit Symphony Center, Detroit Institute of Arts, the Ravinia Festival and the Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago) and at various educational institutions including the New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Southern Mississippi University, and Northwestern University among others. She is especially enthusiastic about featuring a wide array of “classics” and undiscovered masterpieces in her programming that spans from pre-Baroque to newly inked works. 2020 was a prolific year of recordings for Latitude 49 (featuring Jani on piano) including the band's sophomore album, Wax and Wire released on the New Amsterdam Label, and albums released through New Focus Recordings and Furious Artisans. Other recordings include Lumina Duo’s album Beau Soir: French Music for Oboe and Piano on the MSR label and Latitude 49’s debut album Curious Minds hailed as an “Impressive debut” by Bandcamp Daily’s Peter Margasak. She has recorded on the Tzadik label and Çedille Records and has been featured on CBC radio, and WFMT in Chicago. Hailing from the West Coast of Canada, Jani studied with Lorraine Ambrose at the Vancouver Academy of Music (B.M. in Piano Performance), with graduate studies at the University of Michigan under Arthur Greene and John Ellis (M.M. and DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy). She holds a performer’s diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (A.R.C.T.) and a certificate of theory pedagogy from the University of Michigan. A dynamic teacher, she has taught many award-winning students and presented pedagogical research in various national conferences. Jani has recently published a two-book series, Technique Through Repertoire, alongside co-author Christopher Madden that was released in 2022 through Piano Education Press, and serves on the National (US) Program Committee of the NCKP Conference through the Frances Clark Center. Jani has given masterclasses across the United States and served on faculty at the Fresh Inc. Summer festival, the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp and the Piracicaba International Piano Festival in Brazil. She served on faculty at Baylor University's School of Music from 2017-2021 where was recognized as an OVPR Rising Star for her potential for research and early-career development. In 2021, she was appointed as Assistant Professor and head of the piano program at the University of Calgary School of Creative and Performing Arts. Check out Jani’s work at www.janiparsons.com and follow her on insta @janiparsons ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Calgary…with JANI PARSONS

  7. Aug 6

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Montreal…with JULIANE GALLANT

    Part 2 Welcome to our second episode with the Canadian pianist turned conductor: Juliane Gallant. After diving into her origin story last episode - this episode features Juliane’s approach to conducting and how she connects with fellow artists onstage and in the audience. She shares with us what she loves about this work and how she has found her new niche in the world of POPS. We explore her journey to finding management with Dean Artists and she shares *gold* with us as she shares her approach to networking and articulating what it is you do, what makes you unique, and how you can create and connect more with the people and the projects that you are looking for in your career. This is a masterclass in networking - showing up, becoming part of the community, sending those cold emails - we cover it all! Tune in for the wisdom and stay for the joy with Juliane! Check out Juliane’s work at www.julianegallant.com and follow her on insta @julianegallant ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Montreal…with JULIANE GALLANT

  8. Jul 23

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Montreal…with JULIANE GALLANT

    Part 1 Welcome to our episode with the dynamic pianist turned conductor Juliane Gallant. This is a monumental moment for pianists not practicing - our first episode with a conductor! This episode is an amazing origin story about an incredible musician who made her way from small town New Brunswick Canada all the way to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, and back again to Canada - now settled in Montreal. She made her way through the world of solo piano, traversing into the world of collab piano, art song and opera, and she ultimately found her true calling conducting on the podium during a beautiful moment of destiny calling. In this episode we dive into the decisions and opportunities that have shaped her journey so far, and the skills and strengths that contribute to her success as a conductor. Her story is an amazing example of what can happen when you say yes to the signals and opportunities that are placed in your path - and the power of being open to possibility! Juliane’s positivity, energy and truly collaborative spirit shines through in this episode. I can’t wait for you to hear it! Check out Juliane’s work at www.julianegallant.com and follow her on insta @julianegallant ✨ Stay connected with Pianists Not Practicing: Instagram — @ChloeWestonPianist YouTube — @ChloeWestonPianist 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Ankur Mukhopadhyay — @ankurrmm 🎙️ Produced by: phMediaStudio, LLC

    PIANISTS NOT PRACTICING…in Montreal…with JULIANE GALLANT
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Pianists Not Practicing — A biweekly show that catches classical pianists out in the wild - outside of the practice room (!!) - and spills all the juicy details about their lives. We dive into candid, unfiltered conversations with pianists at all stages of their careers—from seasoned pros to fresh-faced grads. OK fine, we’ll talk about practicing — let’s be real — but we’ll also get into everything else: the creative process, career twists and turns, mindset, body care, and all the behind-the-scenes realities of being a musician. So, whether you’re looking for inspiration, solidarity, or you just wanna hang out in the practice room hallway, talk shit, and avoid practice with us — you’re in the right place. We’re all in this together. Hosted by Canadian classical pianist, Chloe Weston You can keep up with Pianists Not Practicing on Instagram @ChloeWestonPianist and YouTube @ChloeWestonPianist

Information

  • Creator
    Chloe Weston
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chloe Weston | produced by phMediaStudio, LLC
  • Show Website
    Pianists Not Practicing

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