Draft:Dr. Maria Corley

Early Life and Education
Maria Thompson Corley was born in Jamaica on February 16, 1966, and raised in Canada. She began studying piano at a young age, around 4 to 6 years old, under the guidance of Eva Thompson. As she pursued her undergraduate studies in 1986, at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, she studied under Alexandra Munn, a pupil of Irwin Freundlich. Corley then went on to earn both a master’s degree, in 1989, and a doctorate degree, in 1993, in piano performance from Juilliard. There, she was a student of renowned Hungarian pianist, Gyorgy Sandor.

Performances
Maria Thompson Corley has established herself as a notable pianist, performing both as a soloist and collaboratively across various continents. She has appeared on radio, television, and concert stages in North and Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Europe. Notable performances include collaborations with artists such as Metropolitan Opera soprano Priscilla Baskerville, Juno Award-winning clarinetist James Campbell, and Grammy-winning clarinetist Doris Hall-Gulati, among others. Venues where she has performed include the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, Liszt Academy, Weill Hall, and the Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat, Croatia. Corley has also performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gunther Schuller.

Compositions and Arrangements
In addition to her performances, Maria Thompson Corley is a prolific composer and arranger. Her works have been commissioned and recorded by various ensembles and performers, including Castle of Our Skins, Juventas New Music Ensemble, and the Florida A&M University Concert Choir. Notable compositions include her song cycle "Grasping Water" and her debut mini-opera "The Sky Where You Are," commissioned by An Opera Theatre in 2020.

Collaborations and Projects
Maria Corley has collaborated with numerous organizations and artists, including her involvement in Duo Chiaroscuro, a musical partnership formed with cellist Sara Male. Their first performance was in January 2011. She co-received a 2021 Opera America IDEA grant for the opera "The Boy from Troy," about Rep. John Lewis. Her children’s opera, "The Fox and the Cookie," premiered at UTEP in March 2023. Corley was commissioned by the Canadian Art Song Project to write "The Colour of Joy," a song cycle that premiered in 2024.

Recordings
Corley's recordings span a wide range of repertoire. Her first CD, "Dreamer," released internationally on Naxos, features collaborations with tenor Darryl Taylor. Subsequent discs, on Albany, include recordings of works by African American composers such as Leslie Adams. Her recordings have been featured in documentaries and virtual concert series.

Other Ventures
In addition to her musical career, Maria Corley is involved in various other creative endeavors. She is a voice actor, award-winning poet, and author of several novels, poems, and short stories, including “Letting Go”, which was self-published in 2016.

"Silence Optional" Concerts
Inspired by her son's experience on the autism spectrum, Corley initiated "Silence Optional" concerts, providing accessible concert experiences for those who struggle with remaining still during classical performances. These concerts aim to challenge traditional audience expectations and create a more inclusive environment for all attendees.