Piano Explored

Benjamin Harding
  • 4.9 (15)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

Welcome to Piano Explored! I’m your host, Benjamin Harding—pianist, educator, and curious explorer of the connections between music and life. Through conversations with pianists, teachers, composers, and other creative thinkers, we explore how we play, how we learn, and how music shapes our understanding of the world. From the practical work of practicing to the connections between music, poetry, art, and the humanities, this podcast invites you to deepen both your musicianship and your imagination. Special episodes of Inside the Taubman Approach continue our exploration of Dorothy Taubman’s groundbreaking work continued in the deep work of Edna Golandsky. Through firsthand experiences and conversations with leading teachers, we examine how pianists develop greater freedom, coordination, and expression, and address playing-related challenges such as tension, discomfort, and injury. Whether you’re a student, teacher, seasoned performer, or someone who simply loves the piano, you’re invited to listen, question, and discover. Visit benjaminharding.net to connect with Benjamin, and golandskyinstitute.org to learn more about the Taubman Approach.

  1. 10/30/2025

    Ricky Moreira on New Artistic Vistas with the Taubman Approach

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Benjamin Harding interviews Ricky Moreira, a recent graduate who has embraced the Taubman Approach in his piano teaching and playing. Ricky shares his journey from a self-taught musician to a passionate advocate for the Taubman Approach, discussing its profound impact on his teaching style and understanding of piano technique. He emphasizes the importance of natural movement and finding equilibrium in playing, while also addressing common hesitations about the Taubman Approach. The conversation highlights the supportive community within the Golandsky Institute and the ongoing learning process involved in becoming a great teacher. For more information about Ricky visit: https://www.alegriaensemble.com/ The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  2. 10/23/2025

    Matthew Camastro's Musical Journey in the Taubman Approach

    Send us Fan Mail Today we welcome the wonderful pianist Matthew Camastro to the show! Having studied with Edna Golandsky for a number of years now, he is a certified teacher of the Taubman Approach through the Golandsky Institute. His journey is fascinating and I think you are really going to enjoy this episode. Let's dive in.  Website: www.camastunes.com Retraining Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/N87grQkCI_I?si=yvPpyNxKeTsInDsF  Matthew's Instagram: @camastunes  The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  3. 10/16/2025

    Jennifer Rosenfeld on her new album "Piano Girl" and the Taubman Approach

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Benjamin Harding welcomes back pianist and composer Jennifer Rosenfeld to discuss her latest solo album, 'Piano Girl,' and the profound impact of the Taubman Approach on her piano technique and creative process. Jennifer shares her journey of personal growth through music, the evolution of her practice techniques, and her current and future projects, including her work in composition and musical theater. The conversation highlights the importance of mindset, efficiency in practice, and the joy of revisiting challenging repertoire. Jennifer was a guest on Episode #13 in Season 1 of this podcast.  Visit www.jenniferrosenfeld.com for more information on Jennifer's work and creative projects.  The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  4. 10/09/2025

    Barbara Banacos on Community in the Golandsky Institute and Her New Substack!

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Inside the Taubman Approach, the podcast from the Golandsky Institute—a vibrant community of pianists, teachers, and musicians dedicated to the pursuit of artistic freedom, technical mastery, and expressive depth. I’m your host, Benjamin Harding, and this episode marks the beginning of Season Two of our series. Over the past year, we’ve heard from remarkable artists who have shared their journeys with the Taubman Approach—how it has transformed their playing, teaching, and understanding of music. And this season, we continue that exploration with even more inspiring voices from within our Golandsky community. To open the season, I’m joined by Barbara Banacos—a gifted pianist and teacher whose insight, generosity, and curiosity embody the spirit of our community. In this conversation, we talk about her journey with the Taubman work, her teaching, her writing on Substack, and the wonderful camaraderie that continues to make the Golandsky Institute such a special home for pianists around the world. It’s a joyful and reflective way to begin Season Two. Here’s my conversation with Barbara Banacos. In this episode of Inside the Taubman Approach, host Benjamin Harding welcomes Barbara Banakos to discuss her journey with the Taubman approach, her teaching experiences, and her new Substack project aimed at promoting the Taubman work. They explore the importance of community within the Golandsky Institute, the challenges and joys of teaching piano, and the significance of mentorship in developing as a musician and educator. Barbara shares insights on building a diverse studio and the excitement surrounding annual gatherings that foster learning and connection among pianists. https://barbarabanacos.com/ https://substack.com/@barbarabanacos The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  5. 02/17/2025

    55: Marcus Ostermiller on Overcoming Tendonitis and Reaching New Heights with the Taubman Approach

    Send us Fan Mail Visit: www.marcusostermiller.com  to be in touch with Marcus.  Summary In this conversation, Marcus Ostermiller discusses his journey as a musician, focusing on the challenges he faced with physical pain and how the Taubman work transformed his playing and teaching. He shares insights on the importance of physical well-being in music performance, and how his teaching methodology evolved through his experiences. The discussion highlights the profound impact of understanding physical movement and technique on a musician's confidence and ability to express themselves. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Marcus's Journey with Injury and Recovery 06:39 Understanding the Root Causes of Pain 08:58 Transformation Through Taubman Technique 10:12 Exploring the Taubman Approach with Bob Durso 14:45 Marcus's Musical Journey and Teaching Philosophy 23:09 The Impact of Taubman Work on Performance Confidence Takeaways Musicians often come with a depth of musicianship they crave to express. Physical therapy and strength training are crucial for musicians. Expressive constipation can hinder musical expression. The experience of rotation in playing evolves over time. Taubman work helped me become symptom-free within six months. Understanding physical challenges can lead to better performance. My technique improved significantly after Taubman work. Performances became more confident and grounded after addressing physical issues. Teaching methodology changed as a result of personal experiences. Revisiting past pieces can be a healing journey for musicians. The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  6. 02/03/2025

    54: Nikos Syropoulos - The Taubman Journey Jazz Meets Taubman: A Pianist's Perspective

    Send us Fan Mail Today's guest is Nikos Syropoulos. For more information on Nikos visit his website at: https://www.nikospiano.com/ Summary In this conversation, Nikos shares his transformative journey with the Taubman Approach, detailing his initial struggles with injury as a jazz pianist and how he found relief and improvement through this technique. He discusses the unique challenges jazz musicians face when integrating Taubman movements into their improvisation and addresses common skepticism about the approach. Nikos emphasizes the continuous discovery and growth that comes with practicing the Taubman technique, encouraging musicians of all backgrounds to explore its benefits. Takeaways Nikos's journey with the Taubman Approach began due to a life-changing injury. He experienced severe pain while playing piano, which led him to seek help. After various unsuccessful treatments, he found relief through the Taubman Approach. The Taubman Approach opened a new world of playing for Nikos. Jazz pianists face unique challenges when learning the Taubman technique. There is something in the Taubman Approach for every pianist, regardless of style. Skepticism about the Taubman Approach is common among jazz musicians. The commitment to the Taubman Approach can lead to significant long-term benefits. Continuous improvement and discovery are key aspects of the Taubman technique. Nikos encourages musicians to find certified teachers to guide them.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Taubman Approach 07:00 Nikos's Journey Through Injury and Recovery 13:27 The Jazz Pianist's Perspective on Taubman Technique 21:00 Overcoming Skepticism in Jazz Pianists 26:21 Innovations in Jazz Pedagogy and Taubman Techniques The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  7. 12/03/2024

    53: Walter Aparicio on the Transformative Nature of the Taubman Approach

    Send us Fan Mail WALTER'S INFO www.walteraparicio.com IG: @wfaparicio Aires Indios: Piano Music of Bolivia https://open.spotify.com/album/4WUNbg5MaINRCKG8OuKmKa?si=gRyhvZqPSwOukVEwy956rQ Nonprofit org: Foundation for Bolivia Artists  www.bolivianartistfoundation.org Composer Names Mentioned: Eduardo Caba (1890-1953) Daniel Alvarez Veizaga https://alvarez-daniel.com Fugas Bolivianas https://open.spotify.com/album/2wkuxHpaHw7M8uJwsYPuBx?si=9WpgWjTUSv-joFq3gl7BuA The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

  8. 11/18/2024

    52: Jeff Nations on Teaching the Taubman Approach to Adult Learners

    Send us Fan Mail For more information on Jeff Nations visit: www.jeffnations.net Born in Kyoto Japan and raised in North Carolina, pianist Jeff Nations began studying at the age of eight and playing professionally by the age of sixteen, performing in local establishments in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Actively competing by the age of twelve, he was the recipient of numerous awards, and by age 17 was the first prize winner in the Young Artist Competition held by the Raleigh Piano Teachers' Association. The next year he took first prize in the Concerto Division of the same competition, performing the final movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto in G minor. He was a finalist in the Sanford Scholarship Competition to attend The North Carolina School of the Arts, where his teachers were Marian Hahn and Robert McDonald. While attending NCSA, Mr. Nations was a member of the ONYX Contemporary Ensemble, under which he premiered his own work "Night Fantasy" for solo piano (not to be confused with the work by Elliot Carter of the same title). Upon graduating from NCSA with the prestigious Irwin Freundlich Award in Piano, he was offered a scholarship to study with pianist David Bradshaw in New York City. He has performed in various cities throughout the U.S., including New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Antonio, as well as throughout North Carolina and Ohio. His Philadelphia performances include recitals at The Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany, The Ethical Society of Philadelphia, The Fleischer Art Memorial, Jacob's Music, and The Karin Fuller Capanna Memorial Concert at the Settlement Music School. A classical artist who is accomplished in a variety of musical genres including popular idioms, musical theater, and gospel, he has consistently endeavored to break through barriers that have often stood between the classical musician and the public. From 1995 to 1998 he was a regular pianist for The Philadelphia Gospel Seminars Choir and the Villanova Gospel Choir. Recognized for his performances of works by American composers, he has collaborated extensively with Soprano Diana Barnhart and has also served as Artistic Ambassador for the United States Government, performing in over twenty recitals in countries throughout the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Syria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Oman and Egypt as well as conducting master classes at the Cairo and Alexandria Conservatories. He has lectured on the Taubman Approach and since 1998 has been studying the Taubman Approach with Robert Durso, Senior Faculty Member of The Golandsky Institute. A former faculty member of the Settlement Music School, Mr. Nations now teaches privately in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence. Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

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4.9
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About

Welcome to Piano Explored! I’m your host, Benjamin Harding—pianist, educator, and curious explorer of the connections between music and life. Through conversations with pianists, teachers, composers, and other creative thinkers, we explore how we play, how we learn, and how music shapes our understanding of the world. From the practical work of practicing to the connections between music, poetry, art, and the humanities, this podcast invites you to deepen both your musicianship and your imagination. Special episodes of Inside the Taubman Approach continue our exploration of Dorothy Taubman’s groundbreaking work continued in the deep work of Edna Golandsky. Through firsthand experiences and conversations with leading teachers, we examine how pianists develop greater freedom, coordination, and expression, and address playing-related challenges such as tension, discomfort, and injury. Whether you’re a student, teacher, seasoned performer, or someone who simply loves the piano, you’re invited to listen, question, and discover. Visit benjaminharding.net to connect with Benjamin, and golandskyinstitute.org to learn more about the Taubman Approach.

Information

  • Creator
    Benjamin Harding
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Piano Explored
  • Show Website
    Piano Explored