Erica Sipes

I had such a wonderful time this past Sunday at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd performing a new storytelling program of mine, this time with American composers Amy Beach, Adaline Shepherd, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Teresa Carreño, and Floyd’s very own Maud Howard.

New practice video up on my YouTube channel. In this one I'm creatively practicing a difficult passage by turning it upside down and by extending it. I do this so that when I play it the correct way, it ends up feeling much easier. Amy Beach's "Dreaming," Op. 15, no. 2 youtu.be/bRdOWgWEGeg?...

The fact is I want to be performing and like I said, it doesn't really bother me. It's different, yes, but it also means I'm performing in places I might not otherwise be able to. Or in contexts that are unique.

It's getting more frequent that I perform recitals on my portable Yamaha digital keyboard. I'm absolutely happy to perform on it, especially since real pianos that are maintained and in tune are harder and harder to fine. When advertising for it, should I say something about that? 🤔

I've gotten to really love storytelling-performing so I'm especially excited about today's performance up in Floyd, VA. I'll be talking about playing music by Teresa Carreño, Amy Beach, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Adaline Shepherd, and Floyd's very own Maud Howard.

Oh my goodness. Listening to songs by Ethel Smyth and am incredibly moved. Incredible writing. Thanks to Sandra Mogensen and @leahbroad.bsky.social 's wonderful discussion on the podcast series, "Women of Notes." womenofnotes.substack.com

Glad I got to school/work on the early side today. 😍

Henselfest will feature four-hands performances by @ericaannsipes.com and Sue Hammond!

Honored to be performing and speaking with my dear friend, Sue Hammond in April at the first ever Henselfest being held in Berkeley, CA. The festival is being hosted by HenselPushers - go to their webpage for registration info. henselfest.org We'll be presenting some of 4 hand works by Fanny. 🎉

Had an absolutely amazing experience visiting and performing again at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art in Roswell, New Mexico. There was so much I wanted to remember I captured it all in a blog post. ericaannsipes.blogspot.com/2026/10/imme... Huge thanks to @classicalbeat.bsky.social !

This video gets funnier every single time you watch it Original post

@sarahfritz.bsky.social Listening to your podcast with Sandra and just heard the bit about Clara’s bust in the Musikverein. @classicalbeat.bsky.social had mentioned to me that originally there were other women’s busts but that they had been removed at some point?

MADAME COMPOSER: The Virtuosic Genius of Clara Schumann will be here in 6 days— Sept. 29🥳

NEW little practice video up in which I work out a quick fix for a little tiny passage in a bassoon concerto accompaniment. Time was of the essence since I had to perform it right afterwards so repetitions weren't in the cards. youtu.be/iYDu-5N1AeI?...

Sharing some of my thoughts about what my family's going through this World Alzheimer's Month. Together, we'll get through this.

Yeeesss! Can’t wait to hear more about this!

Biggest thing I tell my students is to avoid thinking of their classmates as competitors. You are all on the same team, in the same community, with the collective goal being success. Their wins are your wins.

So shocked to hear the news about @kleonardphd.bsky.social . She has given me such wonderful advice and support through the years.

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

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

Currently doing research on Agathe Backer Grøndahl and her friendship with Edvard Grieg. I find it interesting that in the Wikipedia articles (I know, I know...not the best place to get info but I like to start there) the Grieg entry says NOTHING about her. Seems like a huge oversight.

I've been posting today about Anna von Schaden's B flat major piano concerto that I performed this past year. Truly an exquisite piece! And it was quite a project to perform it with orchestra. Here's an interview I did with pianist Sandra Mogensen about it: youtu.be/AJv2cauehdw?...

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?...

Want to hear the entire performance of the Anna von Schaden/Antonio Rosetti piano concerto in B flat, here it is! Well worth the listen...of course I'm a wee bit biased! I'll be posting tidbits about this project to bring this amazing piece to life throughout the day. youtu.be/wuGfW-GbE-E?...

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?...

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. ❤️

Really enjoyed today's pop-up sightreading show. Like last time it was music all composed by women. Lots of Mel Bonis, a piece by Florence Price, and one fascinating one by Marie Jaëll. One of my favorites was a set by Alice Sauvrezis. youtube.com/live/icjQqRi...

It's time for another special Sightreading Maverick Pop-up! Today, at 1pm ET, I'll be reading more newly-added-to-IMSLP piano pieces. Join us! youtube.com/live/icjQqRi...

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!

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.

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.

I’m performing my “Let them Soar” piano program at A die Musik in Baltimore tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. Grateful that they also offer the option to watch online until August 9th! Purchase tickets here! www.instantseats.com?fuseaction=h...

Want to hear more about a composer who is one of my heroes and whose sonata I’m performing TOMORROW at 2 pm at An die Musik in Baltimore? Take a listen to this and then LISTEN to her music! Even better, PERFORM her music! youtube.com/shorts/FREwy...

Today is Jeanne Danglas’ birthday. Although we don’t know a lot about her in spite of composing and publishing a lot of compositions, we do know her real name was Rosalie Crabos and that she briefly attended the Paris Conservatory. She was born in 1871, died in 1915. youtu.be/RnEzh2zhzr0?...

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. 🥰

Starts in 2 minutes!

Woohoo! This is happening TODAY! In about 3 and a half hours, at 1pm ET. It's a great way to unwind while listening to some piano music you (or I) have never heard before! youtube.com/live/Q4eeuBt...

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.

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!

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

Another practice video! This one shows me working on a dense, complicated 3 measures from Heinrich von Herzogenberg's Andantino. youtu.be/drmEfrkcjyU

Today is Polish composer, Helena Łopuska's birthday! 🎉 Born in 1886 she studied at the Warsaw Conservatory with Zygmunt Noskowski and married conductor Adam Wyleżyński. Unfortunately not many of her compositions were published. Here's her Song without Words, Op. 2. youtu.be/kvNeWdqyrqA?...

NEW practice video showing how I bring up music to tempo quickly, musically, and efficiently without using a metronome. youtu.be/HV0kw-WpclE?...

Happy birthday to Polish composer Helena Dorabialska. Here are her Preludes. I think the 2nd one is especially gorgeous. Helena was a pianist, composer, & musicologist who studied at the Warsaw and Moscow Conservatories. She taught harmony, musical form, history, & piano. youtu.be/gaLaeKFSP-g?...

Thrilled that I've been contacted about my new "Purposeful Musician Weekends." I have an array of different topics I love to work on with musicians (not just pianists!) of all ages & at all stages of playing. Communities can choose what best suits them. www.ericaannsipes.com/workshopweek...