Dena Kay Jones

I had to share! Congratulations to UTEP Piano Area Alumni Nolan Alex Ancil, who just gave his Doctor of Musical Arts lecture-recital on pianist and composer Samuel Feinberg. I know Alex’s attention to detail and passion for sharing something unique and helpful to today’s performing pianists was important.

Alex reached out maybe six months ago - maybe it was a year (I have a bad sense of time passing) - about this process, because he knew my own path in disseminating the life and piano works of Joaquín Rodrigo. He had lots of questions, and I answered them to the best of my ability, remembering my own path so many years ago and the mentoring my own professor, Dr. Nohema Fernandez gave me at that time.

As I’m closing up the Fall 2025, and I’m challenged yet excited to incorporate new methods for teaching, assimilating different goals for various scenarios in which my current students will prosper as they work toward earning a degree in piano, and contemplating the UTEP Piano Area’s mission moving forward (I feel our mission has changed a lot in the past few years), it is GREAT to witness Alex’s path and success. Obviously technology has assisted him in his research endeavors, to which he is then able to pass on information to others. However, there are no short cuts through technological means in the commitment to the process, the dedication of learning new and difficult piano works, and insisting on living your dream, no matter how others may challenge it.

In my opinion, being a pianist, whether that be performing or teaching, requires human interaction as well as tons of solitary time with the instrument and oneself. I will be incorporating some new ideas within my own pedagogical methodology this upcoming semester to help instill basic fundamentals from behind the piano as well as fostering the community aspect of the pianistic environment, which has slowly been disintegrating over the past few years, due to many factors including but not limited to funding, technology, interaction with others, and perhaps the greatest resource of all: time, amongst other things.

Again, congratulations Alex for a job well done!!! I am thrilled with your research and your performance, and the smile on your face after having completed such a journey (as well as the one on your mentor’s face) speaks volumes to me. You also have reminded me as the world continues to change and evolve, that I cannot dismiss previous proven, traditional methodology just to please others who don’t believe in it. Music has a place for everyone. ❤️🎹🎶

Lecture Recital - “Poems of Life” An Introduction to the Style and Piano Sonatas of Samuil Feinberg DMA Lecture Recital - “Poems of Life” An Introduction to the Style and Piano Sonatas of Samuil FeinbergPianist: Nolan Alexander Ancil 00:00 Paper: “poems of ...

I. ❤️. these. photos. and. these. perspectives. #🤓

Australian cellist and photographer @charlescellist captures the hidden interiors of musical instruments using endoscopic lenses and focus-stacked composites. Inside pianos (Steinway, Lockey Hill), Stradivarius violins, cellos, flutes, and brass instruments, he reveals vast cathedral-like spaces of wood, metal, and string — exposing makers’ marks, historic repairs, and decades of patina. These are not abandoned ruins but the living #architecture of #sound. #architectanddesign

Hey Pianists! Check this video out ❤️🎹❤️

2 Ways to Practice Scales

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Vera’s International Festival of Piano Music The 25th edition of the International Festival of Spanish Piano Music (FIMTE) concluded with a memorable performance by American pianist Dena Kay Jones.

I agree with this dog. ❤️

Consistency is the key to turning New Year’s resolutions into reality. Show up daily, even in small ways and progress will follow. You can do the ting! 🐾 #puptalk #positivity