Nancy Lamka-Smith has spent more than seventy years at the piano—performing, composing, and teaching across the world. A trained concert pianist and founder of Steps To Joy Music, she has written more than 450 sacred compositions, taught generations of musicians and worship leaders, and performed internationally from Europe to Nepal to Ghana.
Known as the "Airport Angel" during her eleven years as a pianist at Portland International Airport, her music is often described as peaceful, emotional, and deeply atmospheric.
Today she teaches worship improvisation, composition, and what she calls "prophetic intercession" through music, continuing her lifelong calling to help people reconnect with joy through sound.
Bio for Podcast Hosts
Short Bio (~100 words)
Nancy Lamka-Smith is a pianist, composer, and worship piano educator with over 70 years at the keyboard. Creator of the Platforms of Praise course and the Crown of Glory method. Founder of Steps To Joy Music (1984). Composer of 1,000+ original compositions including symphonies, a ballet, and piano concertos. Featured in Who's Who of American Women. Known as the beloved "Airport Angel" at Portland International Airport.
Long Bio (~300 words)
Nancy Lamka-Smith has spent more than seventy years at the piano — performing, composing, and teaching across the world. Beginning her studies at age two-and-a-half, she trained as a concert pianist and went on to compose more than 1,000 original compositions — from curriculum-based piano pieces and sonatinas to symphonies, a ballet, chamber music, concertos, and full musicals.
In 1984, she founded Steps To Joy Music, a Christ-centered piano pedagogy curriculum that has helped launch generations of students into worship leadership, improvisation, and creative ministry. She has taught internationally across four continents — in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Nepal, Ghana, the Philippines, and Central America.
From 2004 to 2015, Nancy became known as the "Airport Angel" at Portland International Airport, where her gentle improvisation created a sense of calm for thousands of travelers. Her music has been described as peaceful, emotional, and deeply atmospheric — "a shift in atmosphere."
Today, Nancy teaches worship improvisation through her brand Inspirational Composer (inspirationalcomposer.com), where her flagship Platforms of Praise course offers an 8-level journey into classical-style worship piano. She also created the Crown of Glory method — a Scripture-based mnemonic for mastering all 12 musical keys via the cycle of fifths. Featured in Who's Who of American Women, Nancy continues composing, recording, and hosting a free weekly live Q&A every Tuesday at 7 PM Pacific.
Topics Nancy Can Speak On
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The Airport Angel
How Nancy became the beloved pianist at Portland International Airport, and what eleven years of playing for travelers taught her about the power of music in public spaces.
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70 Years at the Keyboard
What a lifetime of piano has taught about creativity, faith, and perseverance — from age 2½ to 82.
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The Crown of Glory Method
A Scripture-based approach to mastering all 12 musical keys through the cycle of fifths — and why it transforms how students understand music theory.
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Prophetic Worship Piano
Playing led by the Spirit rather than sheet music — how Nancy teaches classical-style improvisation as a form of prophetic expression.
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Music as Spiritual Warfare
How worship music changes spiritual atmospheres — Nancy's teaching on using piano improvisation as a spiritual weapon.
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Starting a Music Education Ministry
How Nancy built Steps To Joy Music from the 1970s to today — founding a Christ-centered curriculum that has trained generations of musicians.
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Creativity After 70
Why age is an asset for artists and educators — what Nancy has learned posting daily on TikTok and Instagram, and why creativity deepens with age.
Sample Questions for Hosts
1.How did beginning piano at two-and-a-half shape your lifelong relationship with music?
2.What have you learned about creating peace, grounding, and emotional connection through music?
3.How do you explain the creative spark that keeps you composing at 82?
4.What inspired Steps To Joy Music, and how has it influenced generations of students?
5.Why do you think so many of your students end up becoming worship leaders, composers, or educators?
6.What was it like to be known as the "Airport Angel," and what did you observe about how music affects people in public spaces?
7.How do you help someone who feels "not creative" unlock improvisation or composition for the first time?
8.Where do your ideas for new pieces usually come from, and how has that changed across the decades?
9.What has surprised you most about becoming a modern-day creator on TikTok and Instagram?
10.What role has family — your sons, granddaughter, and extended community — played in shaping your music and teaching?
