New Episode Alert | The Fullness of Being: A Grand Finale with Maria Thompson Corley on Art, Inclusion & Joy
Premiering Tuesday, June 17 | Sponsored by Juneteenth LP
“True inclusion would be when we’re not thinking about it anymore—not because we’re ignoring it, but because the work has been done.”— Dr. Maria Thompson Corley
These quietly powerful words from pianist, composer, writer, and poet Dr. Maria Thompson Corley have lingered with me since our conversation. And as we close out Season 5 of The Piano Pod, themed Authenticity and Joy, I can think of no better voice to carry us into our next chapter.
Maria’s story is not just about resilience—it is about artistic integrity, cultural ownership, and the kind of joy that comes from honoring your truth. Her journey weaves together the threads of Black excellence, deep creativity, motherhood, and community—all while challenging outdated norms of what a “classical musician” should look or sound like.
This season finale is a celebration in every sense of the word. A celebration of artistry. A celebration of history. A celebration of Black composers whose works are finally beginning to be heard. And a celebration of the countless ways music helps us stay rooted in who we are.
Widening the Mainstream: A Joyful Reckoning
Five years ago, I attended a virtual workshop led by Maria, titled "Widening the Mainstream," which introduced many of us to underrepresented Black composers in classical music. That workshop left a lasting impression. Before the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, piano music by Black and other composers of color remained far from the mainstream. While efforts toward a more inclusive repertoire had been developing, they were often isolated and rarely brought into broader visibility. So for many of us, including myself, encountering the breadth of these composers' works in that session was deeply eye-opening. It became one of several pivotal experiences that broadened my perspective on the challenges and possibilities within classical music today.
So when Maria joined me for this conversation, it felt like a full-circle moment.
Together, we reflected on how much has changed since 2020—and how much hasn’t. She spoke about being commissioned by institutions such as the Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada) and ABRSM (UK) to submit original piano pieces for young performers. These actions show that the door is opening—but as Maria reminds us, it is still just a crack.
While Florence Price’s music has (rightfully) received widespread attention, Maria challenges us to look beyond the most “programmable” names. Representation cannot be a checkbox. It must be an ongoing, joyful commitment to exploring the full spectrum of voices, especially those who have been historically excluded.
And joy, here, is a key word. This work is not only about correction. It is about discovery. Expansion. Celebration.
Creativity as a Birthright
Maria Thompson Corley defies categorization. She is a Juilliard-trained pianist, a prolific composer, a novelist, a poet, a mother, and a church musician who once wrote choral arrangements on the back of programs. Her artistry is fueled by curiosity and rooted in storytelling, whether she’s writing songs, operas, or blog posts.
She shared with me that she didn’t always see herself as a composer. Like many, she grew up surrounded by the standard canon: Bach, Beethoven, Chopin. It wasn’t until later that she realized she had been composing all along—writing music for her filmmaker brother’s childhood Super 8 projects, improvising by ear, arranging spirituals, and crafting songs as a teenager.
There was no formal path. There didn’t need to be.
“If you create, you are a creator. If you write, you are a writer. The legitimacy isn’t granted—it’s lived.”
This mindset permeates her teaching philosophy. Maria encourages her students to interpret music with freedom and thoughtfulness, rather than chasing a “right way.” In her compositions, such as "Willful Ignorance" and "Lucid Dreaming," she creates space for emotional complexity, commenting on social realities without sacrificing musical beauty.
Artistry and Motherhood: A Sacred Balancing Act
Another powerful layer of Maria’s story is her role as a mother. Her son Malcolm is a gifted visual artist on the autism spectrum, whose drawings and self-portraits have been featured in national exhibitions. Her daughter is a talented singer, forging her artistic path in Los Angeles.
Maria speaks candidly about how parenthood shaped—and continues to shape—her creativity. Her caregiving responsibilities didn’t stall her career. Instead, they redirected it. They made it more profound, more rooted, and more intentional.
“I didn’t want to amputate part of myself,” she says. “Being a mother didn’t mean letting go of being an artist. It meant finding new ways to create, new ways to be present.”
She and her longtime duo partner, Sarah Mai, even co-founded Silence Optional, a concert series welcoming neurodivergent audience members, children, and those for whom traditional performance etiquette feels exclusionary. For Maria, inclusion is not an afterthought—it is a personal and artistic necessity.
Why This Episode Matters Now
This episode premieres in June, during Black Music Month, and in partnership with Juneteenth LP—an organization committed to uplifting Black voices in classical music. Their mission aligns seamlessly with Maria’s life work: celebrating Black excellence, empowering artists, and bringing historically excluded stories to the forefront.
We explore what it means to be genuinely included, not just invited. To be embraced, not simply programmed. To have not only a seat at the table but the freedom to speak fully and be heard.
Maria’s vision of inclusion is not about temporary visibility. It is about belonging. And her artistry shows us what it looks like to belong without compromise.
A Season Ends, A Legacy Continues
This is the final episode of Season 5—our season centered on Authenticity and Joy. And what a journey it has been.
From the neuroscience of practicing to the rediscovery of overlooked composers, to the reimagining of education, entrepreneurship, and creativity, we have explored what it means to be a 21st-century artist, fully and freely.
Maria Thompson Corley closes this season with grace, generosity, and power. Her story reminds us that the classical music world is evolving—not just through policy, but through people. Through relationships. Through the daily, joyful work of artists who refuse to leave part of themselves behind.
🎵 Tune In
This Season 5 Finale episode drops Tuesday, June 17 at 8:00 PM ET
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ThePianoPod
🎷 All major podcast platforms: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio
🎟️ Learn more about our sponsor of the month, Juneteenth LP, and their 10th Anniversary Concert at Joe’s Pub: https://juneteenthlp.org/events
Get tickets → https://publictheater.org/performances-jp/2025/j/juneteenth-lp/
Thank you for listening, supporting, and growing with us. We will be back in September with Season 6, exploring the themes of Creativity and Connection. Until then, may you find inspiration in the stories, music, and community we’ve shared—and carry that joy into your work.
With gratitude,
Yukimi Song
Host & Executive Producer, The Piano Pod