About The Musician
James "Jim" Cornfoot is a professional pianist, vocalist, conductor, and educator living in Memphis, TN. He hails from San Antonio, TX where he began his music career at the young age of five years old, singing in the children's choir for Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. Mr. Cornfoot graduated cum laude from Rhodes College with a B.A. in Music (Piano Performance), where he studied piano with Dr. Tom Bryant, conducting with Dr. Tim Sharp, and voice with Dr. Diane Clark. While a student at Rhodes College, he was an active member of the Rhodes Singers and a sought after collaborative pianist for chamber music performances. Following his undergraduate degree, Mr. Cornfoot completed the Masters of Music (Choral Conducting) degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he studied choral conducting with Drs. Carole Ott and Welborn Young, vocal pedagogy with Dr. Robert Wells, and vocal performance with Dr. Nancy Walker.
Mr. Cornfoot now enjoys an active professional life of performing and teaching music around the Mid-South. He serves as the Director of Music Ministries for Evergreen Presbyterian Church, where he directs the church choir and provides accompaniment for congregational singing. In conjunction with the pastoral staff, Mr. Cornfoot seeks creative new outlets for musical worship within the context of Evergreen's rich musical heritage. He is also the leader for Evergreen’s Beer + Hymns, a monthly gathering at Midtown Crossing to sing favorite hymns and songs in a public space with a great band. Mr. Cornfoot also serves as a freelance accompanist and music teacher, offering private lessons in piano and voice for all levels; he also is available to perform for weddings and other special occasions. Mr. Cornfoot is also a charter member of BealeCanto: A Men's Vocal Ensemble, a choral ensemble that is now entering its fourth season, and also serves as a baritone section leader and assistant director for the Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale. In both Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale and BealeCanto, Mr. Cornfoot has been a featured soloist in local concerts, and in 2012, Mr. Cornfoot was the featured baritone soloist for concerts in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Mr. Cornfoot has also directed various choral ensembles, including the Rhodes Chamber Singers and the Rhodes Women's Chorus, and he has taken the Rhodes Chamber Singers on tours to Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Other professional interests include American and European sacred music, American hymnody, Latin American Music, and music in community.
When he's not making music, Mr. Cornfoot enjoys biking around Memphis, cheering for the Memphis Grizzlies and his hometown San Antonio Spurs, and hanging out in his hammock.
Mr. Cornfoot now enjoys an active professional life of performing and teaching music around the Mid-South. He serves as the Director of Music Ministries for Evergreen Presbyterian Church, where he directs the church choir and provides accompaniment for congregational singing. In conjunction with the pastoral staff, Mr. Cornfoot seeks creative new outlets for musical worship within the context of Evergreen's rich musical heritage. He is also the leader for Evergreen’s Beer + Hymns, a monthly gathering at Midtown Crossing to sing favorite hymns and songs in a public space with a great band. Mr. Cornfoot also serves as a freelance accompanist and music teacher, offering private lessons in piano and voice for all levels; he also is available to perform for weddings and other special occasions. Mr. Cornfoot is also a charter member of BealeCanto: A Men's Vocal Ensemble, a choral ensemble that is now entering its fourth season, and also serves as a baritone section leader and assistant director for the Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale. In both Rhodes MasterSingers Chorale and BealeCanto, Mr. Cornfoot has been a featured soloist in local concerts, and in 2012, Mr. Cornfoot was the featured baritone soloist for concerts in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. Mr. Cornfoot has also directed various choral ensembles, including the Rhodes Chamber Singers and the Rhodes Women's Chorus, and he has taken the Rhodes Chamber Singers on tours to Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. Other professional interests include American and European sacred music, American hymnody, Latin American Music, and music in community.
When he's not making music, Mr. Cornfoot enjoys biking around Memphis, cheering for the Memphis Grizzlies and his hometown San Antonio Spurs, and hanging out in his hammock.
