Jim Cornfoot is a sought out pianist, vocalist, and educator throughout Memphis and the Mid-South area who passionately seeks to build flourishing communities of musical folks. He is the director of the Classic Blue Music Academy, which offers private lessons in piano, voice, and music theory, as well as consulting for other music teachers who wish to build their studios. Over 50 musicians aged 5-adult are enrolled in weekly lessons, and these musicians have competed in local piano competitions with superior marks and have performed on a variety of stages throughout the region, including the Beethoven Club, Rhodes College, and The Green Room at Crosstown Arts.
Jim is also an active performer. As a collaborative pianist, Jim has worked with singers and instrumentalists on a variety of high-profile stages, including The Beethoven Club Concerts@5 Series, Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rhodes College, and the historic Sanctuary on the Square in Collierville, TN. He also performs for local retirement communities. Jim serves as a section leader and assistant director for the Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale, a major symphonic chorus, and in 2012, he was selected as a featured soloist for the ensemble’s tour of Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Through these ensembles, Jim has collaborated with such musical luminaries as Pulitzer Prize winning composer Dr. Jennifer Higdon; Darius Brubeck, son of jazz icon Dave Brubeck; Tim Takach; Jocelyn Hagen; James DeMars; Burton Beerman; Robert Patterson. He is a charter member of Beale Canto: A Premier Mens’ Chamber Chorus, where he served as soloist, director, accompanist, and percussionist.
Jim served as the Director of Music Ministries at Evergreen Presbyterian Church (2016-2022), where he directed the choir, provided music work Sunday worship, and led the Memphis chapter of Beer + Hymns, a national movement to reclaim public spaces for community singing. He led Beer + Hymns sessions at the Wild Goose Festival in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Jim previously served on faculty for the Rhodes College Department of Music (2010-2016), where he directed the Rhodes Women’s Chorus and Chamber Singers. He took the Chamber Singers on tours to Texas, Alabama, and Georgia. Jim also offered courses in general Music Appreciation, Music of Latin America, and Music of Global Courses. He also has been invited to give lectures on music history topics to various churches and organizations around the Mid-South.
Jim began his musical training as a child in the children’s music ministries at his hometown church, and he began his piano lessons at 10 years old. He received the Bachelor of Arts in music from Rhodes College, where he studied piano with Dr. Tom Bryant, voice with Dr. Diane Clark and Dr. Sean Cooper, and conducting with Dr. Tim Sharp. He received the Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he studied conducting with Dr. Carole Ott and Dr. Welborn Young, and voice with Dr. Nancy Walker.
Jim is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the American Choral Director’s Association; he currently serves as the President-Elect of the Greater Memphis Music Teacher Association (2023-2025).
More than a Music Teacher
In addition to all of his musical responsibilities, Jim is an athlete who enjoys cycling, swimming, and CrossFit. In January 2023, Jim was awarded the Spirit of Hit ‘n Run for the Holiday Havoc competition for displaying “exhibit high character, support for others, and who show up and do hard things in an inspiring and motivating way.” He also competed in the 2023 Buffalo Bill Triathlon, and looks forward to competing in next year’s event.
Jim has found plenty of parallels between physical fitness, competition, and musical performance, from finding a sustainable training and practice schedule to managing performance anxiety at the start line and backstage of a performance. Jim is passionate to educate musicians that you don’t have to choose between athletics and the arts; both fields have plenty to teach us on how to overcome obstacles to achieve your goals.
When Jim is not performing or training, you’ll find him sipping craft coffee on his porch with a good book, causing a ruckus with friends on bikes, or pining for another hiking adventure in the American West. Jim is managed by the house cat, Bela Copland.