In Loving Memory of John Perry

John Perry, one of the most influential piano pedagogues 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 the Colburn School, Oberlin Conservatory, the Glenn Gould School, Banff, the Univeristy of Texas at Austin and the University of Southern California. His students, some of whom have become internationally acclaimed artists, were shaped not only by his technical brilliance but by his deep musical insight and boundless generosity.

To his close friend, student 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 giant but as a man of humor, humility, and profound kindness. His absence will be deeply felt, but his teachings 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, about life, about the strange and beautiful journey of being an artist. I will miss his laughter, his stories, and the quiet strength he carried into every room. The world has lost a 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 

(Dickran Atamian)