Christmas comes early to Elmwood

Piano teacher creates personalized holiday soundtrack

By: Katlyn Streilein Posted: 10:48 AM CST Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/12/2020 (1738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Elmwood music instructor Corey Allen Francis has recorded nearly two dozen piano tunes to share with his community this holiday season.

Francis is posting one video on Facebook each day until Christmas — like a musical advent calendar — and the entire collection is available right now on YouTube, at https://bit.ly/37KbyQU (or by searching for his channel, Piano Expressions With Corey).

“It’s just to spread Christmas cheer. I thought it was something special coming from within Elmwood, within Winnipeg,” 30-year-old Francis said.

When he’s not teaching his students, Francis moonlights as a church musician. He was taping hymns to accompany remote services when the idea struck him to create a batch of Christmas numbers.

“Lots of people put music on in the background while they’re decorating or while they’re doing dishes or whatever,” Francis said. “And Christmas is when so many of us gravitate to the same songs, so it was a good time to put together music that a lot of people would have interest in.”

Hundreds liked, shared, and commented on Francis’s arrangements; many thanked him for taking the time to share his work.

He said the videos are much-needed at this particularly challenging time and said he wanted to bring a dash of positivity to online community groups.

“The fact he did all these videos to provide music to the community as a gift…that’s exactly who Corey is. That’s the Corey I know,” said Christine Davis, who heard Francis play piano at the Kildonan Personal Care Centre, where he worked, and she volunteers.

Davis said it’s been over two years since Francis left his role as the care home’s recreation manager, and residents many of whom have Alzheimer’s — still remember his music and ask about him.

“He’s so kind and thoughtful and professional. It’s beyond his years,” Davis said.

She said she enjoys Francis’s contemporary takes on classics such as Silent Night and appreciates the effort he puts into the decorations and outfits in his videos.

Francis began wearing flashy suits during his performances at the care home. He said he sported the outfits to razz the residents and put smiles on their faces.

In addition to his work with seniors and the church, Francis has taught music on and off for 10 years. He said he decided to make teaching a full-time job when he realized it was his favourite part of the work week.

He converted his dining and living room into a home studio, where he’s taught students for the past year and a half on a glossy, black Heintzman & Co. grand piano.

He had 55 students enrolled when the pandemic struck in March, most of whom transitioned to online learning.

“It’s been a lot of extra work for sure, but overall still a good experience,” Francis said. “I brought in some amazing new students. There were a number of students whose activities were all cancelled, and the parents wanted them to be engaged in something.”

Francis created a “Christmas for Kids” playlist on top of his regular songbook that includes upbeat hits that even the youngest listeners might recognize and sing along to.

His website is www.pianoexpressionswithcorey.ca

Elmwood music instructor Corey Allen Francis has recorded nearly two dozen piano tunes to share with his community this holiday season.

Photo by Katlyn Streilein
Music instructor Corey Allen Francis began wearing his signature flashy suits when he performed at personal care home, as a way of engaging his audiences. — Photo by Katlyn Streilein Music instructor Corey Allen Francis began wearing his signature flashy suits when he performed at personal care home, as a way of engaging his audiences.