Jim Cornfoot is a highly sought-out pianist, vocalist, and educator in Memphis who believes everyone has the right to explore their musical personality. 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 five to adult are enrolled in weekly lessons, and these musicians have competed in local piano competitions with superior marks. Mr Cornfoot's students have performed on a variety of stages throughout the region, including the Beethoven Club, Rhodes College, and The Green Room at Crosstown Arts.

Mr. Cornfoot is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the American Choral Directors Association; he currently serves as the President of the Greater Memphis Music Teacher Association (2025-2027).

Mr. Cornfoot is also an active performer who sees the stage as an extension of his teaching career. He champions lesser-known compositions by famous composers and prioritizes music by composers from marginalized communities and living composers. He co-founded Hammerwind Duo with Bethann Easterly (flute) to explore a variety of music written across a diverse palette of genres. Mr. Cornfoot commissioned and premiered new music by Timothy Takach, “A Score of My Life” (2025) with Ms. Easterly and Patrick Jones (Baritone).

Mr. Cornfoot serves as Principal Section Leader for St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Memphis, TN. In addition to singing with the St. Mary’s Schola for weekly service, Mr. Cornfoot also prepares anthems and motets for the Cathedral’s choirs. He conducted the Schola in a performance of John Rutter’s Requiem in 2025, and he will assist in preparations for the Schola’s residency at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland in July, 2028.

Mr. Cornfoot previously served as a section leader and assistant director for the Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale (2010-2024), a major symphonic chorus. In 2012, he was selected as a featured soloist for the ensemble’s tour of Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Through these ensembles, Mr. Cornfoot 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; and Robert Patterson. He was also a charter member of Beale Canto: A Premier Mens’ Chamber Chorus, where he served as soloist, director, accompanist, and percussionist.

Mr. Cornfoot served as the Director of Music Ministries at Evergreen Presbyterian Church (2016-2022), where he directed the choir, provided music for 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.

Mr. Cornfoot 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. Mr. Cornfoot also offered courses in general Music Appreciation, Music of Latin America, and Music of Global Courses. He has given lectures on music history topics to various churches and organizations around the Mid-South.

Mr. Cornfoot began his musical training as a child in the children’s music ministries at his hometown church, and he began 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.

In addition to a vibrant musical career, Mr. Cornfoot is an avid endurance athlete. In 2026, Mr. Cornfoot won 2nd place in the Memphis in May Aquabike Competition, and he won 3rd place overall in the Annie Oakley Triathlon, Olympic distance. Mr. Cornfoot believes that the discipline required to build a musical career extends into the discipline needed to pursue excellence in fitness.

Mr. Cornfoot enjoys a quality cup of coffee, an engaging book, and causing a ruckus with friends in the gym. He is managed by the house cat, Bela Copland.