Piano

Joey Markey

I have been teaching at Raritan Music Center for 11 years.

Some of my earliest memories involve music. I grew up listening to my mother playing and singing on our piano at home, and I listened to her singing in the church choir on Sundays. I was always involved in music one way or another, and when I turned six, the next logical step was to start piano lessons and start to explore my own journey as a musician and a pianist.

I took private piano lessons through high school, and then I completed my associates at Raritan Valley Community College where I had the privilege to study classical piano under Tony Strong. After I graduated from RVCC, I attended William Paterson University where I studied under Gary Kirkpatrick; then I attended Ramapo College where I studied under Itay Goren. I have multiple music degrees, including Piano Performance, Sound Engineering, and Music Industry. Each of my teachers provided me with a unique perspective on music, which I try to bring to my own lessons as a teacher. My favorite thing about teaching music is that I have an opportunity to pass on my knowledge to the younger generation, as well as introduce them to music to which they would otherwise not be exposed.

On a personal note, I would have to say that Beethoven is one of my favorite composers and his music holds a special place in my heart. My favorite work by him is his 9th Symphony. I also enjoy playing countless other composers and genres - I usually end up playing whatever floats my boat at that moment, whether it is classical music, rock, funk, or progressive rock.

In addition to teaching piano, I also freelance as a recording engineer and keyboard player. I am also a piano tuner and piano technician!

If you visit the studio and see someone in a tie-dye shirt, it's probably me! I think tie-dyes are awesome.