iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 23/08/2026

Love watching storms from my place. A good excuse to get cozy and watch nature do its thing. ❤️

Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 22/08/2026

Important update! My website has been updated to more accurately show what I have to offer individuals and communities! Please do check it out and pass on the word about all I have to offer. It's time for me to break out of Virginia and take the show on the road! ericaannsipes.com

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 11/08/2026

Some more info to share about Anna von Schaden, the composer whose piano concerto I performed earlier this year. I fell in love with it. An incredible piece! youtu.be/wuGfW-GbE-E?...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 11/08/2026

Today I want to celebrate Anna von Schaden's B flat major piano concerto because it needs to be heard! I'm starting with the short cadenza I wrote that leads into the final orchestra tutti of the 2nd movement. Gave me chills every time we rehearsed it. youtu.be/wuGfW-GbE-E?...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 10/08/2026

So glad we planted zinnias this summer! Whenever I see all the happy bugs it makes me smile. I feel like I’m contributing something of value to even the smallest creatures out there. ❤️

Beautiful swallowtail on a bright pink zinnia.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 07/08/2026

I just can't help myself! I have another free Sunday so I'm popping up at 1pm with another special edition of Sightreading Maverick. Join me and pass on the word!

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 02/08/2026

Getting ready to perform at An die Musik in Baltimore. What a cozy, warm, lovely space and piano. Looking forward to sharing lots of fantastic music here.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 02/08/2026

Getting ready to perform at An die Musik in Baltimore. What a cozy, warm, lovely space and piano. Looking forward to sharing lots of fantastic music here.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 28/07/2026

First day of teaching Musicianship for Dancers class is in the books. Learned a lot but was slightly overwhelmed yesterday so I'm up early to come up with today's plan. I want to add here that I delivered a few tendus and pliés yesterday. Not something I thought I was going to do. 🤣 Ever. 🥰

Photo of laptop open showing a dance instruction video on YouTube. Off to the side is a book on Rhythm and Dalcroze activities.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 25/07/2026

This weekend's fun challenge is coming up with lesson plans for teaching a musicianship for dancers class at Star City School of Ballet next week. I've been doing research & planning this for weeks now and have found some of my original notions about rhythm & pulse challenged, in a good way.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 24/07/2026

Happening THIS Sunday! SURPRISE! I have so much music to sightread I may have to do this another Sunday as well so stay tuned! This Sunday I'll be reading newly uploaded piano music on IMSLP by Mel Bonis, Hedwige Chrétien, and Dina Appeldoorn. Pass on the word and hope to see you there!

A fun drawing of a woman holding a glowing "Musician" Tarot card. That's supposed to be me. This is along with the announcement that I'll be doing a special sightreading pop-up with piano music by Mel Bonis, Hedwige Chrétien, and Dina Appeldoorn this Sunday, July 26 at 1pm ET on my YouTube channel.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 23/07/2026

Surprise!!! I'll be doing my sightreading show THIS SUNDAY ONLY! There were so many new pieces composed by women that were added to IMSLP this past year I want an excuse to read through a lot of them. So this Sunday, 1pm, join me on my YouTube channel! @EricaSipes

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 20/07/2026

This summer I've been using the Practice Space app with music students where I teach. It's been a game-changer. So easy for them to record little videos of them practicing sections they are having trouble with and then post them on the app for me to watch and respond with suggestions.

Screenshot of some of the feedback I've given.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 15/07/2026

If anyone is in the Baltimore area, I’m giving my piano program, “Let them Soar!” there on Sunday, August 2nd at 2pm. I’ll be at An die Musik Live. Attend in person or buy tickets to watch online! www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fu...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 06/07/2026

I'm ready to get on the road to come to talk about & play music in your community! So many people have asked if I'm ever going to write a book with all of my tips, strategies, methods, etc...that idea has always made me hesitate. This is my solution. www.ericaannsipes.com/workshopweek...

Image of a webpage describing my new Purposeful Musician Weekends. It includes info on the various types of offerings that can be selected for these weekends - workshops, coaching/masterclasses, community music concert faciliation and performances and also includes a sample schedule for what a weekend could look like.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 05/07/2026

Also a happy birthday today to Polish keyboard player and composer Wanda Landowska. Here's my fellow co-founder of Piano Music She Wrote, Sandra Mogensen, performing her Valse. youtu.be/BTqNw-otSbw?...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 05/07/2026

A happy birthday to Agnes Zimmerman, a pianist & composer born in Germany but who lived in England. She published works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Schumann and made her debut performing Beethoven's Emperor concerto at the Crystal Palace. Here's a recording of her Gavotte. youtu.be/clqr1G0NmQE?...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 05/06/2026

What a precious and profound picture book written by Laufey with a simple but profound message for musicians young & old. It makes heart along with the composer’s & musician’s voices the center of musicking which can make performing & sharing much more of a joy. ❤️

Photo of the cover of Laufey’s picture book called Mei Mei the Bunny. In the picture a sweet little white bunny (Mei Mei), in a blue jacket, plays the violin on stage with stars, clouds and waves in the background.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 04/06/2026

It's been a LONG time since I've updated our online directory, but now it has been! Check it out! Exciting to see a lot of new composers and pieces, including engravings that wonderful folks have been making from manuscripts that have been on IMSLP. More info at PianoMusicSheWrote.com

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 15/05/2026

In case you haven't checked out my website, please do to learn more about me and what I'm all about. If you think you might be interested in having me come to your area, please contact me through the form on the website! Or here. ericaannsipes.com

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 15/05/2026

I drove up to Baltimore for Wednesday evening's screening of the documentary, Dear Lara, which exposes the dark underbelly of sexual abuse that has been allowed to exist & continue in the world of classical music. Brilliantly & sensitively produced with incredible music performed by Lara St. John.

Photo of a young Lara St. John, an amazing, inspiring violinist. This is an advertisement for her recent phenomenal documentary, Dear Lara, which exposes the sexual and mental abuse that has been allowed to exist and continue in the classical music world.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 27/04/2026

Oh my goodness! I've waited quite some time to see this stat! Over 1 million views of my blog!! Normally I don't like to look at numbers for validation but this does feel really good. So glad I started this blog years ago. And thanks to everyone who is a reader.

A little celebratory post that shows a clip of my blog with the stats that it's had over one million views!

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 20/04/2026

This weekend I got to perform my "Let them Soar!" program of music by women composers on a 1922 Erard piano. Such a different experience from playing on a German or Japanese piano. The action was incredibly light.

Me sitting at a 1922 Erard baby grand at the Floyd Center for the Arts.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 17/04/2026

Tomorrow! On Saturday I'll be performing my "Let them Soar!" recital and story recital in Floyd, VA at the Floyd Center for the Arts. Please consider joining us! And if you can stick around afterwards, consider joining us for dinner...somewhere in Floyd, TBD.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 15/04/2026

Trying something new! Here's hopefully one of many promo videos about my program, "Let them Soar! Stories about women and their music." This is a program I gave many times last year that I really love so I'm delighted to be bringing it back, this time in Floyd, VA.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 10/04/2026

Literally just purchased this book simply because it has decorated pages and especially because of the jellyfish. Am I that type of person? Yep. But I have to say that judging a book by its cover has always worked well for me. Same goes with wine.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 28/03/2026

Oh dear! Sometimes my determination to learn new things leads me to learning the most bizarre yet interesting things. 😱😳🫣🤣

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 07/03/2026

For what it's worth, huge hat-tip to Mellow Mushroom for their strawberry lemon-limeade. It's my new go-to for performance days when I need a little pep-me up. Makes me really happy. Ahhhh...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 27/02/2026

So excited for this Saturday's performance which I believe will be the US premiere of Anna von Schaden's B-flat major piano concerto. Such a fabulous work. The second movement breaks my heart EVERY time! And what an honor to be joined by the inspiring, amazing, @classicalbeat.bsky.social .

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 16/02/2026

Clock is ticking until this performance I'm very excited about. I believe this will be the US premiere of Anna von Schaden's B-flat major piano concerto. Also thrilled that Anne Midgette @classicalbeat.bsky.social will be there to give a pre-concert talk. Saturday, February 28th - Virginia Tech

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 15/02/2026

So excited to do a run-through of Anna von Schaden's piano concerto with my colleague at Radford this afternoon in preparation for a performance happening with orchestra in a few weeks.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 04/02/2026

I'm really excited about this new program I'm putting together. It'll feature works and correspondence by composers including Edvard Grieg, Agathe Backer-Grøndahl, Marie Jaëll, Franz Liszt, Germaine Tailleferre, Maurice Ravel, Felix Mendelssohn, and Delphine von Shauroth, among others.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 04/02/2026

@piargno84.bsky.social Lookie here! I’m playing on this recital tonight and I made the connection to you! ❤️

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 25/01/2026

If you're a musician and want a glimpse into what I teach and preach about practicing, feel free to check out my slides for two presentations I've done this year for college music students. They're on my "Resources" page. www.ericaannsipes.com/resources

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 22/01/2026

Dear composers, if a chord is a straightforward chord, say D major chord, please don’t notate it this way.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 18/01/2026

We had such a fun time with our Brazen Bruckner sight reading of Bruckner’s 7th Symphony. So grateful to have another pianist and a fine conductor to do this with me.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 13/01/2026

Just about every night we get a sunset like this in southwest Virginia. Amazing. 😻

Stunning blood red and orange sunset over the Appalachians in southwest Virginia.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 02/01/2026

I may have stopped doing my regular sightreading show but that's not stopping me from still being crazy and sightreading in a very public fashion. Fortunately I'm not alone in being crazy! On Sunday, January 18th, at 3pm, we'll be sightreading, on 2 pianos, Bruckner's 7th Symphony.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 02/01/2026

Getting ready to present a program for local piano teachers and their students. Not easy to settle on a program but here it is.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 17/11/2025

I'd love to perform my "Let them Soar!" program more featuring piano music by Marianna Martines, Anna von Schaden, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Mel Bonis, Lili Boulanger, Germaine Tailleferre, & Madeleine Dring. Contact me if you're interested! www.ericaannsipes.com/projects

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 08/11/2025

Presto! I just finished writing my first cadenza ever. Phew! Kind of maddening, overwhelming, challenging, and fun all rolled into one. 🎉

Photo of printed music, more specifically a cadenza I just wrote for Anna von Schaden’s piano concerto.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 31/10/2025

After much contemplation and 5 years of streaming, I'm going to stream my last episode of Sightreading Maverick this Sunday, November 2nd, at 1pm ET. Thanks to all my regular viewers and composers who have asked me to play your pieces. Hope to see some of you there on Sunday to celebrate!

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 30/10/2025

Switching from using willpower to being stubborn can be helpful in the practice room and beyond. Willpower opens the door to blaming oneself for not progressing. Stubbornness can shift the focus on the problem itself with you having the power to overcome it.

Beautiful watercolor landscape with mountains in background with quote by painter Henri Matisse - "When you run out of willpower, you can call on stubbornness."

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 24/10/2025

A custodian at the university where I work moved away this week. I missed saying goodbye to him but found this note on my desk. Meant the world to me to receive this. Never question whether you should take a moment to leave words like this to someone. ❤️

Handwritten note that reads:

Your music & demeanor inspire. Rest as often as you work. You & your student’s music enlivens these halls.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 15/10/2025

The more we can see mistakes as stepping stones to solving problems and getting us to a better place, the easier we'll be on ourselves.

Closeup of a person's hand holding three wooden cubes, each with a different facial expression. One is sad, one is neutral, and one is happy.

Accompanying text says, "See mistakes as opportunities to problem-solve rather than negative reflections of yourself or baffling mysteries that you're hoping will solve themselves."

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 12/10/2025

Starts in 1 minute! Join me LIVE or watch anytime after I've streamed.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 11/10/2025

Sightreading Maverick show is ON for tomorrow afternoon...same place...same time! And as always you can watch anytime after the show has streamed live. www.youtube.com/live/jXWiVbj...

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 05/10/2025

On today's sightreading show will be works by Henri-Joseph Rigel, Richard Langellotti, Lodewijk Mortelmans, and Daniel Steibelt. Join me on my YouTube channel at 1pm ET or watch anytime afterwards.

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Erica Sipes @ericaannsipes.com · 04/10/2025

My sightreading show is on for tomorrow! Same time, same place! Not sure what will be on it yet so it'll be a surprise for us all. Makes sense. It is sightreading after all!

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