Maria Thompson Corley is a Jamaican-born, Canadian-raised pianist, composer, and advocate whose multifaceted career spans performance, composition, education, and social advocacy. Renowned for her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in classical music, Corley makes significant contributions to the classical music landscape through her performances, compositions, and educational initiatives.
Early Life and Education
Corley began her musical journey at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where she studied under Alexandra Munn. She then pursued advanced degrees in piano performance at The Juilliard School, earning both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. During her time at Juilliard, she studied with renowned Hungarian pianist György Sándor and was the only pianist admitted to the doctoral program during that period.
Performance Career
Corley has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist across North and Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Europe. Notable venues include the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Weill Hall, and the Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat, Croatia. She has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Metropolitan Opera soprano Priscilla Baskerville, Grammy-winning clarinetist Doris Hall-Gulati, and members of the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestras. Her orchestral engagements include performances with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gunther Schuller and recordings with the Philadelphia-based Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, directed by Jeri-Lynne Johnson.
Compositional Work and Advocacy
As a composer, Corley has created a diverse body of work encompassing solo piano pieces, vocal compositions, and operatic works. Her compositions often explore themes of identity, resilience, and social justice, reflecting her commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Notable works include her debut mini-opera The Sky Where You Are, commissioned by An Opera Theatre in 2020 and featured in the Decameron Opera Coalition’s award-winning online production Tales From a Safe Distance. She was also commissioned by Lyric Opera of the North to write The Place for the DOC’s second online anthology, Heroes, which premiered in October 2021 . Corley’s song cycle The Colour of Joy, commissioned by the Canadian Art Song Project, premiered in 2024 and is featured on the recording Known to Dreamers. The work sets texts by Black Canadian women writers and highlights the warmth and resilience found in communities of shared experiences, and was nominated for a Juno in the Classical Album of the Year Category in 2025, and was released on the Centrediscs label.
Recordings and Publications
Corley’s recordings have garnered critical acclaim for their musicality and interpretative depth. Her debut CD, Dreamer, released internationally on Naxos, contains collaborations with tenor Darryl Taylor. Subsequent discs, such as Soulscapes and Soul Sanctuary, feature music by African American women composers and have been included in documentaries like HBO’s Kabreeya’s Salad Days and Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am . Her compositions are published by esteemed publishers including Walton Music Corporation, Classical Vocal Reprints, and North Star Music. Her song cycle Grasping Water has been added to the curricula of courses about art song at institutions such as the University of Michigan, Jackdaws Music Education Trust in the U.K., and the University of California. Educational Contributions and Mentorship Beyond her performance and compositional work, Corley is dedicated to education and mentorship, teaching piano and mentoring young musicians, sharing her knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of artists. For iClassical Academy, she recorded two courses on piano technique and interpretation, further contributing to the development of aspiring pianists.
Personal Life and Advocacy for Accessibility
As part of Duo Chiaroscuro with cellist Sara Male, Corley has taken an active role in music accessibility. Together, they present “Silence Optional” concerts designed for people on the autism spectrum or those who cannot attend traditional classical concerts due to difficulties with remaining absolutely still. Maria Thompson Corley stands as a multifaceted artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries. Through her performances, compositions, and advocacy, she has made significant contributions to the classical music world, championing diversity and inclusion, and her dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire and shape the future of classical music.
Check out more of Maria Thompson Corley’s work, ideas, and inspirations in conversation with CMC Prairie region director Janna Sailor on MUSING!