Neil Flory, an associate professor and coordinator of the Music program at SUNY Jamestown Community College, has taught at the college since 2013. He teaches music theory, aural skills, songwriting, piano, music appreciation, an inquiry course in music, and other subjects.
Flory is also an active composer, improvising pianist, and poet.
Before coming to JCC, Flory served as a member of the music faculties of Central Washington University, Del Mar College, and Luther College.
A community college graduate himself, Flory earned an associate degree at Edison Community College. He continued for a bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida, a master’s degree at the University of Florida, and a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin.
What is your expertise in music?
Flory: I've been doing music for quite a long time. My primary area as a musician is composition.
I'm a classical composer but also have a background in popular music. My primary instrument is piano. I consider myself a composer first and a pianist second, but I also teach piano.
I have dabbled in various other instruments over time. I also have expertise in music theory, music history, and teach in those areas as well here at JCC.
What made you pursue music as a career?
Flory: From an early age, I was always fascinated by it. It's just like from an early age, hearing music, I just was like “I want to do this. I can't live without this.” From an early age, I was fascinated with the idea of creating music.
Some of the early influences on me were singer songwriters like Elton John, Billy Joel, people like that. And of course, those guys play piano, and so do I. And those guys are part of the reason I tried to start playing piano.
So just being fascinated with this sound and everything it means and everything it can say. And just wanting to somehow contribute to that in the world.
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
Flory: My research per se is composition.
So just constantly writing music and I'm fortunate enough to be able to write music on commission and for people who want my music for various things.
A recently commissioned piece was a concerto for saxophone and concert band. It was commissioned by a consortium of six ensembles across several states. And that was great fun. It's been performed in a number of places now and continues to be.
What is your favorite class to teach?
Flory: One of the classes I teach is Introduction to Songwriting. It's a great class for any student to take.
Students do not have to have a background in music to take the class. They don't have to read music to take the class. Just an interest in being creative with music.
The class is exactly what it sounds like. We learn to write original songs. We explore the creative process a lot.
We learn techniques of songwriting from listening to and analyzing music of the masters. It's really fun. And, and we just get to really create a lot and learn a lot over the course of the semester.
Why should a student consider attending JCC?
Flory: JCC's values align with my values. JCC values the arts and learning and intellectual pursuit and intellectual development and creative development. JCC values giving students a great environment to maximize their potential. I value that as well.
As a student myself, I actually started at a community college not unlike JCC. As a student that was a life-changing experience. I kind of found my path there.
I've always just believed in what community colleges do and the mission of community colleges. And JCC is, is absolutely one of the best. I'm blessed to be here.
What about students just graduating high school? Why is JCC a good choice?
Flory: JCC is a great place to start out and get oriented to where you want to go with your career and your life out of high school. It's a great option in terms of cost.
It's a smaller college, which offers a really friendly, positive, and welcoming environment. It is for any students who are local or in this region. I mean, it's a great local option.
You don't have to go far away. And from JCC, you can really go anywhere. We've seen that again and again.
Our motto is come as you are, leave as you want to be. And I think that really says it all. It's like you can be yourself at JCC.
JCC also offers a really energizing, positive environment where you can discover your passions, discover your future self, and whatever direction you want to go with your career and your life.
What does a quality education mean to you?
Flory: A quality education means learning what you need to learn to pursue your career, but also learning how to think in new ways, how to perceive in new ways, opening up your view of the world, and broadening your view of the world.
Not just career skills but thinking skills and being able to think around all sides of a topic.
JCC definitely offers that and the development of people into their best selves, really.
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JCC offers A.S. Music and A.S Music Industry degree programs and a Digital Audio Production certificate.
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