A. I use the Clavinova in several different teaching/performing situations: in class piano at the University of Kentucky (UK), in our Piano Preparatory Program at UK, in private individual lessons, and in our collegiate keyboard performance ensemble "The Keyboard Kats."

A. As the coordinator of Class Piano at UK, I find several advantages of using the Clavinova over an acoustic—I'll just highlight a few:
1) It's extremely helpful to have instruments that stay in perfect pitch. Music theory is a central component in our class piano curriculum. The consistent tuning of the Clavinova is invaluable in aural training.
2) The high quality of the instrumental sounds on the Clavinova allows us to broaden the curriculum by using orchestral instrumental sounds to study texture and form of keyboard pieces as well as pieces written for orchestral/band instruments.
3) The on-board record feature is an invaluable tool as well. It is so user friendly that students have no problem recording from the first time they sit at the instrument. The opportunity for students to listen to their own playing for immediate self-evaluation is an extremely effective educational tool.

A. The "Keyboard Kats" is a keyboard ensemble performance group we started about three years ago here at UK. Most of the members are not primarily pianists (but do play other instruments). Members of this group absolutely love working and performing together on keyboard ensemble pieces. It is personally and professionally very rewarding to experience the quality of musicianship that the group accomplishes!

Most of my UK students are not familiar with the Clavinova when they begin their study here. I can tell you they thoroughly enjoy playing it, and because the Clavinova is so easy, students are successful from the first time they sit down at the instrument!

A. I do many of the same type things in individual lessons that I do in class piano. Additionally, I use MIDI disk accompaniments to lesson books, popular repertoire, and traditional art pieces on a regular basis.

A. At the UK School of Music we have a 16-unit Clavinova lab. We have a few different models: CLP230, CLP240, CVP 303, CVP 305, CVP 307 (the majority of the keyboards are 305s and 307s).

A. I have an acoustic grand piano and a Clavinova at home. I play both for fun, practice, and performance.

Dr. Vicki McVay is coordinator and instructor of the Class piano curriculum at the University of Kentucky. She is also instructor of the Graduate Review Aural and Written theory program at U.K. Dr. McVay was the founder and is the Executive Director of the Piano Preparatory Program at the university. The Preparatory Program is a result of the School of Music's vision for community outreach and is committed to providing educational instruction and performance opportunities to students of all ages and ability levels. Additionally, Dr. McVay is co-founder and co-director of Pianofest, a non-profit educational and artistic organization established in 1996. Pianofest conducts summer camps at the University of Kentucky for students in 1st- 12th grades. The goal of Pianofest is to provide pianists of varying ages and skill levels the opportunity to experience the enjoyment of ensemble playing and performance. Additionally, Dr. McVay is a frequent lecturer, presenter, and adjudicator.