Faith, Art, and Vocation in the Life of a Christian Artist

January 26, 2026

In this episode of Beauty Through Faith, Benjamin Harding and Gustav Hoyer are joined by Cori Belle, pianist, teacher, and creator of Commonplace Beauty, to explore what it means to pursue beauty faithfully in both the church and the world.

Cori reflects on her formation as a musician, her journey as a Christian artist, and the ways beauty is discovered not only in virtuosity and performance, but in discipline, obedience, community, and everyday life. Together, we discuss excellence in art, resistance artists face in modern worship culture, the loss of musical formation in the church, and how artists can steward their gifts with courage and humility.

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What Piano Teachers Need to Know About Accompanying

March 21, 2025

In this episode, Cori Belle shares her journey from high school accompanist to accomplished collaborative pianist. She talks about how strong solo skills, sight-reading, and learning by doing shaped her accompanying career. Cori offers practical advice for piano teachers who want to prepare their students for accompanying roles, including the importance of listening, balance, and rhythm. She also discusses building relationships with choir directors, adapting to different instruments and voices, and how duet playing and chord knowledge support ensemble skills. Whether you’re new to accompanying or want to strengthen your teaching, Cori brings thoughtful, actionable insights.

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Kirkland Civic Orchestra interview

October 29, 2019

Here is my conversation with Francis X. Langlois, tuba player with KCO, about my performance of the Mendelssohn D Minor Piano Concerto amidst mothering three young children, choral accompanying, and the rest of life!

KCO interview

Commonplace Beauty Review

July/August 2018

“The Ives (Sonata No. 2, “The Alcotts”) is a good interpretation, with Belle locating the ecstasy inherent in the climactic chords…” 

“The third movement of Ginastera Suite de danzas criollas is the finest, with a nicely delineated canon …”

“ … a beautifully constructed programme…” 

 International Piano, London, Colin Clarke 

Meet the Artist interview

July 9, 2018

This is a guest artist post for Frances Wilson, the "Cross-Eyed Pianist." Meet the Artist is a series of interviews in which musicians, conductors and composers discuss aspects of their creative lives, including inspirations, influences, repertoire, performance, recording, significant teachers and more. The interviews offer revealing insights into the musician’s working life and a fascinating glimpse “beyond the notes”.

meet the artist