After a three-year hiatus, local drum instructor and musician Corey Colmey will present his 11th student recital from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at Rome Alliance Church, 920 Turin St.
Since 2001, Colmey has been inspiring students of all levels, ages and musical backgrounds, but his business was hit hard by the pandemic.
He said while 2020 brought much fear, anxiety and awareness to the world, Corey Colmey Drum Instruction, 227 W. Dominick St., was one of several neighboring businesses that had to adjust to difficult times.
“When the pandemic hit, all lessons came to a halt, as we were in an unsure time and didn’t know what was happening,” Colmey reflected.
“For the first few months, all of my students had to discontinue lessons due to safety reasons, coupled with the fact that I didn’t offer virtual lessons due to my hands-on style I take when teaching. It’s taken until now to revitalize my teaching practice, and build back a student base close to what I used to have.”
Colmey’s students will serve up a mix of pop, rock and blues tunes for the Saturday recital, with free admission. Audience members are encouraged to take photos and video of the performances.
“On a personal level, the past few years have proven challenging, and have forced me to remember what is most important,” said Colmey, adding that he and his students are grateful the annual recital is back on after so much uncertainty. “I love teaching, and I know how powerful music is, so it’s important to take it seriously. Music is a language that is accessible to us all, and when you learn how to speak, it has a tremendous capacity for healing.”
The instructor said drumming is a skill in which his students or fellow musicians can grow, and is also a way to share the “power” of music with the community.
“Drumming is just one of the ways we can grow within ourselves and share this power with our community. This isn’t my job. It’s my responsibility,” Colmey said. “And I couldn’t feel more humbled and honored to have the opportunity to continue doing what I love.”
Colmey is an active educator, performer, clinician and drumset recording artist based in Rome.
His teaching experience includes private lessons for drum set, concert percussion, world percussion, as well as ensemble programs for children and adults. In 2016, Colmey co-founded the organization, Lead With Rhythm. In addition to his private teaching business, Colmey has teaching posts at Utica College and Herkimer College. As a performer, he’s traveled all over the U.S. and abroad, sharing the stage with artists including G Koop, Fiber, Edan, Solstir, Don Grusin, Jeff Palmer, Rick Montalbano, Joe Magnarelli, Swamiko, Cooter Stew and Marc Seales.
The recital is sponsored by Project Fibonacci Foundation, Inc. and ANDRO Computational Solutions. For more information about the recital or drum lessons at Corey Colmey Drum Instruction, check out the instructor’s website at www.coreycolmey.com.
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