🎶✨ How can nineteen tiny piano miniatures blossom into one of the most expansive, collaborative, and award-winning projects of our time?

Welcome to Season 6 Episode 3: The World of MICROVIDS — Composer & Advocate for Women in Music, Stefania de Kenessey. In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Stefania de Kenessey, a composer whose works have been heard at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, and around the world.

Her latest project, Microvids, began as nineteen piano miniatures written during the pandemic — and has since grown into a global tapestry of music, poetry, improvisation, orchestral performance, and film.

In our conversation, Stefania opens up about:

• ✅ The surprising origins of MICROVIDS and how “tiny nothings” became her richest work
• ✅ Collaborations with pianist Donna Weng Friedman, violinist Curtis Stewart, narrator Krystal Joy Brown, and the New Jersey Youth Symphony under Helen Cha-Pyo
• ✅ Award-winning films inspired by MICROVIDS, including Silent Cry
• ✅ How MICROVIDS can connect with youth orchestras and piano students around the world
• ✅ Her advocacy for women in music, her Hungarian roots, and her expansive multi-genre style — from opera to dance to provocative video works like Menstrual Rosary

👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, candid reflections, and exclusive performance excerpts from MICROVIDS, Unorthodox, and Menstrual Rosary.

https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6751/

• 🌐 Stefania's Website
• 🎬 Watch Silent Cry (award-winning short film)
• 🎬 Watch Menstrual Rosary (winner of 33 film awards)

[The Piano Pod]

• 💖 Subscribe TPP on Substack to unlock exclusive content
• 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist
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• 🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
• 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com

🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative?

Welcome to Season 6 Episode 2: Four Hands, Boundless Creativity — Mada & Hugh, the Award-Winning Duo on Love, Life & Artistic Freedom

In this captivating episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their electrifying four-hand performances, imaginative arrangements, and engaging video productions, Mada & Hugh are redefining what it means to collaborate in classical music today.

In our conversation, they open up about:

• The artistry and intimacy of four-hand piano playing
• Their daring arrangements, from Romanian folk gems to Sweet Child O’ Mine
• Behind-the-scenes secrets of their video production and vlogs
• Mădălina’s journey from Romania to the U.S. and her research on George Crumb
• Hugh’s entrepreneurial path — inventing AirTurn and pushing the boundaries of music tech
• The risks they’ve taken to reinvent themselves and the courage it takes to build a new artistic life together

👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, candid reflections on creativity and connection, and exclusive performance excerpts — including Suita din Dobrogea and Silence and a Face from Christian Mecham’s Three Omens.

[Mada & Hugh Piano Duo]

• Website:
• YouTube Channel
• 🎼Download their amazing 4-hand arrangements HERE

[The Piano Pod]

• Subscribe to TPP on Substack for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription
• Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist
• Latest News
• Website

🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives?

In this special Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health. His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touched millions through streaming, concerts, hospitals, and beyond.

In our conversation, Chad opens up about:

• The inspiration behind his latest album, Where We Are: Unity Edition
• How he turned adversity into artistry with his debut Set on a Hill
• Why combining music and wellness has become his mission
• And the story of how he became a U.N. Ambassador through music

👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, personal insights, secrets to building a successful creative career, and an exclusive excerpt of Chad’s breathtaking piece “Sanctuary.”

[Chad Lawson]

• Sanctuary full video: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5g
• The Light Within: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5g
• Website: https://www.chadlawson.com/
• Podcast: https://www.calmitdownpodcast.com/

[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]

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• Stay Connected:
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• ⏳ TikTok: @thepianopod

🎶✨ How can nineteen miniature piano pieces transform into a boundless world of music, poetry, collaboration, and film?

Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an extraordinary episode featuring composer Stefania de Kenessey and her latest project, Microvids. What began as small, intimate sketches during the pandemic has blossomed into her most expansive and personal work — brought to life through powerful collaborations across instruments, voices, ensembles, and even award-winning films.

In this conversation, Stefania shares:

• ✅ The surprising origins of Microvids and its evolution across multiple formats
• ✅ How collaboration turned tiny piano pieces into something vast and universal
• ✅ Why Microvids resonates with youth orchestras, students, and audiences worldwide
• ✅ The role of love, vulnerability, and connection in her music
• ✅ Her advocacy for women in music and her vision for the next generation

🎬 Don’t miss it! Watch the premiere on Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:00 pm ET right here on our YouTube channel

🎧 Prefer audio? The episode will also drop everywhere you listen to podcasts at the same time!

Explore more:

• 🌐 Website: https://www.stefaniadekenessey.com/
• 🎼 Album: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6751/

🔥 “Music isn’t just about playing the notes — it’s about living beyond the keys.”

🔥Welcome to the premiere of Encore Conversations — The Piano Pod’s new series, where past guests return for short, powerful conversations about their latest projects and evolving journeys.

To kick it off, I’m joined by Jeeyoon Kim — pianist, educator, podcaster, and now a two-time author. You may remember her from Season 3, when she shared her debut book, Whenever You’re Ready, and her bold mission to transform the concert experience.

Now she’s back with her new book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance — projects that dive even deeper into love, resilience, and the creative spirit.

🎶 The episode opens with Jeeyoon’s stunning performance of Piazzolla’s Libertango (arr. Kyoko Yamamoto), also featured on Radiance. From her unforgettable 2023 Carnegie Hall debut to the raw personal stories she reveals in Beyond the Keys, Jeeyoon shows us how music, writing, and life lessons intertwine to create something extraordinary.

• 📌 Explore More 🎶 Watch the full Libertango performance (from Radiance):
• 📖 Download 4 free chapters of Beyond the Keys
• 🛒 Order Beyond the Keys on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3DTUMik
• ✨ If you missed Jeeyoon’s first Piano Pod appearance (Season 3, Episode 14), go back and listen. You’ll see why her originality and authenticity continue to inspire this community.

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Encore Conversations and Season 6 episodes that celebrate Creativity & Connection.

[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]

• 💖 Subscribe to our Substack page for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription
• 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6
• 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh Stay Connected:
• 🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
• 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱

In this special premiere of Encore Conversations, The Piano Pod’s brand-new alumni series, I sit down with award-winning pianist, author, and educator Jeeyoon Kim. You may remember her from Season 3, where she inspired us with her originality, authenticity, and mission to make concerts deeply personal. Now she returns with her most intimate project yet — her second book Beyond the Keys and companion album Radiance.

In our Encore Conversation, Jeeyoon opens up about:

1. ✅ The inspiration behind Beyond the Keys
2. ✅ Why she chose to share her deepest challenges with her readers
3. ✅ What she discovered about herself through writing
4. ✅ How her new album Radiance expands on the book’s themes of love, resilience, and connection

🎬 Join the broadcast of this special Encore Conversation on September 9, 2025, at 8:00pm ET: https://youtu.be/0bpMQiBLkaY

[Jeeyoon Kim]

• 🎹 Watch Libertango from Radiance: https://youtu.be/LK3dnspkqEY?si=5Ml6VZcQ6_OPu8_R
• 📖 Free preview (4 chapters) of Beyond the Keys: https://dedicated-thinker-5780.kit.com/3ee9541685
• 🛒 Order the book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/3DTUMik
• 🌐 Website: https://www.jeeyoonkim.com

[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]

• 💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe
• 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa
• 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh

🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative?

Season 6 of The Piano Pod continues with an electrifying episode featuring the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their imaginative arrangements, captivating performances, and cross-cultural collaboration,

Mada & Hugh are redefining what it means to perform and create in the 21st century. In this conversation, they share:

• ✅ The artistry and intimacy of four-hand piano playing
• ✅ Their daring arrangements — from Romanian folk gems to Sweet Child O’ Mine
• ✅ Behind-the-scenes secrets of their video productions
• ✅ Insights into their entrepreneurial journeys, from George Crumb research to inventing AirTurn
• ✅ How love, creativity, and connection fuel their partnership on and off the stage

🎬 Don’t miss it! Watch the premiere on Tuesday, Sept 23 at 8:00pm ET right here on our YouTube channel 👇 👉

🎧 Prefer audio? The episode will also drop everywhere you listen to podcasts at the same time! https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio

Explore more:

• 🌐 Website: https://www.madahugh.com/
• 📺 YouTube: @madahughpianoduo
• 🎹 Watch the entire performance of Suita din Dobrogea by Mada and Hugh Piano Duo: https://youtu.be/RiKUH1wR3Po?si=mmcH6OARFWWMIgev

🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives? In this special

Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health.

His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touched millions through streaming, concerts, hospitals, and beyond. In our conversation,

Chad opens up about:

• ✅ The inspiration behind his latest album, Where We Are: Unity Edition
• ✅ How he turned adversity into artistry with his debut Set on a Hill
• ✅ Why combining music and wellness has become his mission
• ✅ And the story of how he became a U.N. Ambassador through music

🎬 Join the broadcast of this special episode on September 9, 2025, at 8:00pm ET:

[Chad Lawson]

• 📺 Sanctuary full video: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5g
• 🎹 The Light Within: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5g
• 🌐 Website: https://www.chadlawson.com/
• 🎧 Podcast, Calm It Down: https://www.calmitdownpodcast.com/

[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]

• 💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe
• 🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa
• 📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukh Stay Connected:
• 🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
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