In Loving Memory of John Perry
John Perry, one of the most important and influential piano pedagogues, pianists and most importantly, musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries, has passed away this morning, leaving behind a legacy that will resonate throughout concert halls and conservatories for generations. A master teacher, performer, and mentor, Perry’s career spanned decades of excellence at institutions such as Rice University, Colburn School, Oberlin Conservatory, the Glenn Gould School, Banff, the Glenn Gould School, the Univeristy of Texas at Austin, Rutgers University and the University of Southern California. His students, some of whom have become internationally acclaimed artists, were shaped not only by his technical superiority, sense of sound and space, but by his very deep musical insight and boundless energy and generosity.
To his close friend, disciple and fellow colleague pianist Dickran Atamian, John was a beacon of wisdom and camaraderie. Their friendship was rooted in mutual respect and a shared devotion to the art of the piano. Dickran remembers John not only as a musical father and giant but as a man of humor, humility, and profound kindness. His absence will be deeply felt, but his teachings, recordings and spirit will continue to inspire.
A Personal Farewell to My Friend, John Perry
It’s hard to put into words what John Perry meant to me. He wasn’t just a colleague or a mentor—he was a dear friend, a kindred spirit, and one of the most generous souls I’ve ever known. John had a way of making music feel like a conversation with the divine. His teaching was never about ego—it was about unlocking the truth in the music and in the student. I watched him transform lives with a single phrase, a single gesture at the keyboard.
We shared countless hours talking about phrasing, harmony, about life, about the strange and beautiful journey of being an artist. I will miss his laughter, his stories, his mannerisms and the quiet strength he carried into every room (not so quiet!). The world has lost the master, and I have lost a friend. But I know his voice will echo in every note I play. When the student is prepared, the guru will appear. This was John Perry!
With much affection,
Jack Price
(Richie Atamian)
