Pianos for People is excited to launch a new series of FREE masterclasses!
Led by some of the region’s top pianists, these engaging sessions cover a wide range of topics designed to help you learn, grow, and deepen your skills.
Join us in person at our Cherokee location (3138 Cherokee) or tune in online via our Facebook livestream. All masterclasses will also be available to watch anytime on our YouTube channel.
Introduction to Stride Piano
with PFP Alum Royce Martin
Saturday, February 21st, 2026 – 1 pm
Rooted in Ragtime and Jazz, stride piano is a bold, swinging cornerstone of American music. In this engaging workshop, explore the rich history and lineage of stride piano, learn the core techniques and theory behind the style, and discover practical ways to begin incorporating stride into your own playing. Led by Pianos for People alum and accomplished Jazz and Ragtime pianist Royce Martin, this session is open to pianists of all levels who are ready to expand their sound and add this iconic style to their repertoire.
Royce Martin is a pianist, composer, and 2022 graduate of Berklee College of Music. Born in St. Louis, Royce taught himself to play the piano at the age of 14 on a small keyboard. He has a rich musical background and an affinity for a myriad of genres. Having worked as the in-house pianist and lecturer at the Scott Joplin State Historic Site between semesters at Berklee, after college graduation, Royce returned to St. Louis to record an album of a dozen Joplin classics, reinterpreted in his own eclectic style for his debut album “Memories on Morgan Street: Scott Joplin Reimagined”. Royce has provided original music for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion special on MAX, Hulu’s Mormon no More, and most recently completed a full feature length score for MAX documentary They Called Him Mostly Harmless. In October of 2024, The New York Times opinion columnist John McWhorter captured Royce’s piano playing in three words: “Sly, Relatable, and Brilliant”.
Royce continues on his path of exploration and experimentation with innovations on his new genre creation that he has coined Swagtime. By combining the striding pianism of ragtime with the melodic storytelling and lyricism of bebop and rap, Swagtime is the bridge between then, now, and tomorrow.
Past Masterclasses
The Taubman Approach in Practice
with Matt Pankratz
Saturday, November 1st, 2025 – 1 pm
This class will use attendees’ current repertoire to explore natural and effective movements at the piano. Through the lens of the Taubman Approach, students will be given strategies for conquering awkward and difficult passages while exploring ideas for a healthier overall technique. Attendees are encouraged to bring examples of music they would like to have examined as part of the masterclass.
A native of St. Louis, Matt Pankratz began his studies at the Community Music School of Webster University under recently-retired Karl Koesterer. He continued his studies at Webster University under Daniel Schene obtaining his B.M. (Summa cum Laude) in Piano Performance and completed his M.M. in Piano Performance at Louisiana State University, studying with Gregory Sioles and Michael Gurt. He is the winner of numerous performance scholarships, including the Buder Foundation and Jack Guerry Foundation, and competitions, including Webster University Concerto Competition and Louisiana State Concerto Competition. Recent performances include appearing as soloist with the Forte Chamber Orchestra and giving a guest recital and masterclass at the Webster University Piano Camp. Mr. Pankratz is most widely known in the area for his large and successful studio and his skilled accompaniment of professional and student musicians. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at both Webster University and the Community Music School of Webster University and previously served as adjunct faculty at Louisiana State University.