2025 State Conference

BITE SIZE PRESENTATIONS

SESSION 1 (Saturday 11:15am-11:45am)

John Kiernan, Head of Guitar and Music Technology at The Piano Workshop at Bergen County, is an internationally recognized guitarist and educator. He has performed globally and been featured in Guitar World Magazine. His students have been accepted into prestigious music programs at Berklee College of Music and NYU Steinhardt.

Sonia Kiernan:
Sonia Kiernan is a distinguished pianist and educator who co-founded the Piano Workshop at Bergen County. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a master's in Piano Performance, her students have performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and The Kaufman Center. She also serves as judge for The Piano Guild.

1. Catherine TangMei Shieh –

Catherine TangMei Shieh holds a B.M. from Manhattan School of Music, and a M.A. from Queens College (CUNY). She conducted research in effective music practice as an Ed.D. student at Teachers College Columbia University. She also studied with Madeline Bruser, author of “The Art of Practicing,” focusing on technique and mindfulness.

SESSION 2 (Saturday 11:45am-12:15pm)

2. Ingrid Clarfield, nationally recognized performer, lecturer and author has

presented workshops and master classes in 175 cities and has written 29

books. She is the recipient of MTNA’s Teacher of the Year, NCKP’s

Lifetime Achievement Award and inductee into the first Steinway

Teachers Hall of Fame.

2. Kairy Koshoeva, Honored Artist of Kyrgyzstan, is a concert pianist and educator with degrees from Gnessin Academy, Oberlin (Artist Diploma), and UMKC (DMA). She received the 2019 RCM Teacher of Distinction Award at Carnegie Hall. Kairy teaches at the New School for Music Study and privately in Princeton, NJ.

SESSION 3 (Saturday 3:45pm-4:15pm)

3. Dr. Qin Ling is a piano faculty member at The New School for Music Study with nine years of teaching experience. She specializes in body–mind strategies, problem-solving, and cultivating risk-taking in lessons. Dr. Ling also supports the Frances Clark Center’s Chinese international webinars as a cultural and educational bridge.

3. Dr. Xiaoya Gao is a pianist and educator with a D.M.A. in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina and advanced degrees from NYU and Lawrence University. She has performed internationally, taught at NYU, and actively researches piano pedagogy while performing and presenting in the New York–New Jersey area.

3. Amy Glennon Watt (New School for Music Study) is an experienced teacher, clinician, author, and published composer of 6 collections published by Alfred and Piano Safari. Amy has presented at both MTNA and NCKP. Her teaching appears on Webinars for MTNA, the Frances Clark Center, and online pedagogy courses.

3. Colin Levins is currently on the faculty of the New School for Music Study (NSMS). He holds a Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship from NSMS, a M.M. in Piano Performance from the UMKC Conservatory, and a B.M. in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Central Missouri.

3. K. Jenna Frank holds a BM in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College and completed the Comprehensive Practical Piano Teaching Program at the New School for Music Study. She is a dedicated music educator in piano and voice and serves as the soprano section leader at Trinity Episcopal Church, Mooretown.

SESSION 4 (Saturday 4:15pm-4:45pm)

4. Dr. Carla Salas-Ruiz (Ph.D., LSU) is Associate Director and faculty at NSMS. A pianist and pedagogue from Costa Rica, she researches motivation and interest development in piano learning. A Steinway Educational Partner, she presents internationally, adjudicates competitions, and publishes widely, fostering inclusive, creative, and healthy musicianship in her students.

4. Dr. Xiaoya Gao is a pianist and educator with a D.M.A. in Piano Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina and advanced degrees from NYU and Lawrence University. She has performed internationally, taught at NYU, and actively researches piano pedagogy while performing and presenting in the New York–New Jersey area.

4. Dr. Molly Sanford (D.M.A., University of Cincinnati CCM) is Administrative Manager and faculty at NSMS. A pianist specializing in contemporary and American music, she presents nationally on pedagogy and performance. She combines innovative recital programming with extensive teaching experience, inspiring students of all ages to connect with music.

4. Colin Levins is a pianist and educator with degrees in Piano Performance from UMKC and the University of Central Missouri. A prizewinner and performer at venues including the Kauffman Center, he serves as Director of Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Bordentown and teaches at NSMS.

4. Nancy Modell, a sought-after Suzuki Piano Teacher Trainer, promotes the

Taubman approach, nurtures original musical composition, and exposes

students to diverse composers, creating a safe space for exploring creativity,

curiosity, compassion, and community through music. Nancy serves on the

boards of SAA, PTF, and MEA-NJ (former President).

SESSION 5 (Sunday3:15pm-3:45pm)

5. Alessandra Tiraterra, DMA, NCTM, has performed recitals in Europe and US. Her students are regular prize winners in piano competitions. She studied with renowned pianists (Perticaroli, Crudeli, Haydon, Soriano, Dorensky, and Abramovic). She has given talks for conferences, colleges, and institutions and has published with Dante University of America Press.

5. Shimrit Tsiporen, DMA, pianist and educator, has shared her expertise at the Clark Center for Keyboard Studies, Bar-Ilan University, Tel-Aviv University, Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance, and Israel’s National Music Honors Program. Blending piano performance, psychology, and pedagogy, she empowers musicians to transform technical skill into expressive artistry and courageous stage presence.