"Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship"  Pavlina Dokovska on Pedagogy, Leadership, and the Mannes International Piano Festival

"Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship" Pavlina Dokovska on Pedagogy, Leadership, and the Mannes International Piano Festival

Author: Yukimi Song February 18, 2026 Duration: 51:56

This surprise bonus episode was created in collaboration with Mannes School of Music at The New School.

In this conversation, I sit down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — to explore what it truly means to build artists in today’s musical and cultural moment.

We discuss serious piano study, long-term mentorship, artistic identity, and the role institutions play in shaping the next generation of musicians.

Toward the end of the episode, you will also hear from Jiwon Yang, current Mannes graduate student and First Prize winner of the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, sharing her experience studying in downtown Manhattan and participating in the festival.

ABOUT THE PIANO POD

🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.


Hosted by New York-based classical pianist and educator Yukimi Song, The Piano Pod serves as a genuine meeting point for anyone captivated by the keyboard. This isn't just a series of conversations about famous composers, though they certainly come up. Instead, Yukimi builds a global hub where the rich traditions of piano music intersect directly with contemporary innovation and practical education. Every other week, the podcast delves into the specific, often overlooked details that bring the music to life-from the technical choices of a concert pianist to the pedagogical insights of a master teacher, and even the perspectives of those designing the future of the instrument itself. Listeners become part of a broader connection, hearing stories and expertise that move beyond the concert hall. The discussions are intimate and revealing, focusing on the real work behind the artistry. You'll hear about the challenges of interpretation, the evolution of teaching methods, and how technology is reshaping what's possible. It’s a space where curiosity about the piano’s past, present, and future is the only prerequisite. For enthusiasts, students, and professionals alike, this podcast offers a consistent source of inspiration and a deeper understanding of the complex, fascinating ecosystem that exists around those eighty-eight keys.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
Podcast Episodes
Music As Witness feat. Concert Pianist, Anna Shelest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:11
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by concert pianist Anna Shelest.Her work spans major orchestral collaborations, recording projects, and repertoire advocacy — but this conversation centers on her latest al…
Joy Luck Trio -- Groundbreaking Pipa-Erhu-Piano Trio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:50
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we welcome Joy Luck Trio — a newly formed ensemble bringing together pianist Donna Weng Friedman, pipa virtuoso Gao Hong, and erhu virtuoso Karen Han-Ottosson.Together, these three Chine…
Official Trailer: Season 6 Episode 16 feat. Joy Luck Trio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57
What happens when piano, pipa, and erhu come together in one ensemble?Tonight on The Piano Pod, meet Joy Luck Trio — Donna Weng Friedman, Gao Hong, and Karen Han-Ottosson — three acclaimed artists creating a bold new cha…
The Sound of Perseus feat. Composer & Conductor Michael Ostrzyga [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:59
In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by composer, conductor, & Music Director at Univeristy of Cologne, Michael OstrzygaHis work spans composition, conducting, editorial scholarship, and large-scale projects —…