Episode Details

Grant Kondo believes in saying “yes” to every student’s musical journey. From his early experiences in Hawaii to his current studio in San Jose, Grant has combined classical foundations with modern creativity to inspire well-rounded musicians. In this episode, he shares how improvisation, arranging, and flexible teaching approaches can help students of all ages connect deeply with music, while his new book series Skills for the Modern Pianist equips teachers and learners with practical tools for artistry and growth.

1. Grant shared a brief overview of his background and his music studio in San Jose, California.
2. How his early teachers gave him strong sight-reading and classical training.
3. He described the moment in high school when he realized he could not play from a lead sheet.
4. The influence of Forrest Kinney in helping him learn improvisation and arranging.
5. The importance of teaching students all four arts of music: interpretation, improvisation, arranging, and composition.
6. Why his teaching philosophy centers on being a “yes man” who meets students where they are.
7. The value of allowing students to explore different genres like pop, K-pop, classical, and anime.
8. How he tailors method books to fit each student rather than using one program for all.
9. Why he loves teaching adult students who bring diverse goals and musical interests.
10. Why he believes all students should learn both classical and non-classical repertoire.
11. Grant highlighted his new book series Skills for the Modern Pianist.
12. How the books use familiar pieces in multiple variations to teach arranging, improvisation, and theory.

Links Mentioned

1. Grant Kondo's Website
2. Grant's Books: LifeOffThePage.com
3. Grant's Books "Skills for the Modern Pianist" (US Amazon Link)
4. Grant's Books "Skills for the Modern Pianist" (AU Amazon Link)
5. TopMusic Composition Competition 2025

Today’s Guest

Grant Kondo, is a pianist, educator, and author of Skills for the Modern Pianist, a three-level series designed to bridge classical