Jeff Cornelius has played principal percussion with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, now the New Mexico Philharmonic, since 1986. He regularly plays with the Santa Fe Symphony, Chatter, National Dance Institute, Performance Santa Fe and New Mexico Ballet. 

 

      Mr. Cornelius received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and completed his Master of Music degree at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Prior to joining the New Mexico Symphony, Mr. Cornelius played with numerous orchestras including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, The Canton Symphony, the Colorado Philharmonic, the Toledo Symphony and an assortment of other summer festivals and ensembles.

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        Mr. Cornelius also performs with The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and various chamber venues including Taos Chamber Music Festival, Music at Angel Fire and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. In 1995, he was featured on the live recording of  Darius Milhaud's, La création du monde, a critically acclaimed live performance with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.  He was the winner of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra's first annual concerto competition in 2007.