Anthony Cornet went to Temple for his bachelor’s degree, Duquesne for his masters and Shenandoah University for his doctorate.  All of Cornet’s degrees were focused on piano.

“I believe high-level piano music is some of the most incredible music ever written once you give it a chance,” Cornet said. 

Cornet’s father was a music teacher who introduced him to music. According to Cornet, music was the perfect extra-curricular activity while he was growing up. He had natural skill, and although it wasn’t easy, piano always provided opportunities. 

“As I got older, people would respond enthusiastically when I gave a performance which was very encouraging,” Cornet said. 

Although Cornet is an Altoona alumnus, he did not have any connection with Altoona for 15 years. He thought it would be fun to see familiar faces. 

“Cornet was a great student; he was talented from the start. He is such a talented pianist, and he is great at music theory and just an overall really nice guy. He was an extra special student,” orchestra director Kelly Detwiler said. “It is so great to see someone that you watched grow up go on to have the career that he is having. I was so proud.”  

Currently, Cornet teaches music locally, performs nationally and publishes books on music. 

“I had a growing conviction that playing an instrument was something that could grow with you, a sort of life-long companion. I didn’t want to abandon it,” Cornet said. 

According to Cornet, life as a performing, entrepreneurial musician is never a straight line. 

“I am a classical pianist, but I also compose and publish my own music. The music industry would prefer you only do one thing to make yourself marketable, but I’m stubborn and prefer to do things as I enjoy them. Also, music demands a complete effort. The opportunities rarely come to you, so you have to go create them. It can sometimes be challenging to balance this with other, more personal aspects of your life,” Cornet said. 

Cornet is experimenting with a new instrument called the seaboard and is learning how to play the guitar.

“The great thing about music is that it is so multifaceted that it is impossible to get bored. Between teaching, performing, recording and composing, I can always come up with something to inspire me,” Cornet said. “I definitely want to get some of my own original music performed more.” 

On April 13, Cornet performed for the fine arts students. He played a few songs for the students, and they were able to ask him questions.

“Anthony Cornet has a fantastic career, and I know he worked hard to be able to play the things he played, ” sophomore Seth Goheen said. “My favorite thing was hearing his story and watching him perform.  He impressed me by his talent, but not how I heard it. Everyone hears music differently, and musicians prefer to do or hear certain things. I did not love the pieces he decided to play for us, but he did. But it took great skill to be able to play those pieces, and that is why I was impressed even though I did not love the individual pieces.” 

Cornet loves working with high school students, especially those who are ready to expand their musical horizons

“I liked Anthony Cornet. He is very talented,” freshman Owen Carmel said. “I know Anthony a little outside of school. He has influenced me a lot to write my own music and practice. He also taught to not get so caught up in the sheet music. He really has a way of bringing everything to life and that really inspired me to focus on any instrument I play.”

Cornet used to teach college freshman music classes, so the audience was very similar. According to Cornet, he had a ball playing for the fine arts students,  and the students reminded him of university students he used to teach.

“When you perform for high school students, a spectrum is often created. On one side, some students could care less and are just there because it is mandatory which is totally cool. On the other, a select few students will maybe be inspired enough to push themselves a bit harder on their own instrument. I like to think a few students might remember this performance years from now. A few students came up to me afterwards with questions and that is always wonderful to see,” Cornet said.