About My Studios

(919) 480 - 1748  |  jcoreymusic@gmail.com

About Me

My first experience in piano was at the age of 5 when I took group piano lessons with my mother at Piano & Organ Distributors of Greenville, NC, and now, 36+ years later, I am still learning about piano music and piano pedagogy.

I began independent study in 1990 with Mr. Johnny Wooten and remained under his tutelage until 1992. In 1994, studying with Sylvia Barfield, I discovered my gift for playing by ear. From 1994-2000, my love for music expanded to me learning to play gospel drums and organ (self-taught), and to co-directing the church’s youth choir. In 2000, I returned to formal classical piano study with Dr. Charles Bath at East Carolina University.

In addition to studying classical piano under Dr. Bath, I also studied with Henry Doskey and Paul Tardiff.  I graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Carolina University in 2006, with dual degrees in music education and mathematics education, and again in 2013, with a M.M. in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Other noteworthy accomplishments include being a National Board Certified Teacher in Music Education.  As a life-long learner, I still find time to continue private study of piano technique and repertoire with Valentina Palanciuc and periodic cello lessons.

I have loved the experiences I've gained teaching in private, public and sacred settings.  In addition to ministering music at my local church since 1994, I have had the privilege of being the choral director at East Millbrook Magnet Middle School (2006-2011), the director of the orchestra and choirs at South Central High School (2011-2014), and the instructor of AP Music Theory, Honors Music Theory, and multi-levels of piano lab at Enloe Magnet High (2014-2018).   I'm currently a middle school assistant principal in Wake County Public School System.

Some of my favorite music includes the piano music of Beethoven, Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Rachmaninoff.

I love working with students of all ages and have a passion for teaching.  My motto is “discover the hidden musician within and achieve more than you realize”.

Philosophy of Teaching Piano

John Corey, III

My goal is for students to understand how to be independent musicians capable of playing and explaining the music that interests them.  For beginning and intermediate students, I use the Diamond Piano Method (DPM) to expose students to theory, transposition and ear training.  For more advanced students, I utilize Hanon, Czerny studies, and John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano in combination with choice excerpts from the DPM. 

For students interested in playing by ear, improvisation, and song writing, I offer a blended approach that pulls from classical technique, music theory and popular songs.  

For students interested in preparation for church music ministry, I offer study in traditional/contemporary gospel, and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).  I provide a curriculum rich in reading/writing chord charts, deciphering lead sheets (jazz and blues), improvisation, and even singing to help them serve their local congregation.