Corey Christiansen grew up in a musical family. His father, Mike Christiansen, started teaching him guitar at the age of five. After high school, Corey received his bachelor's degree from USU. A year later Corey left for Tampa Florida to study with legendary jazz guitar educator, Jack Petersen. In 1999, Corey received his master's degree from the University of South Florida and took over the teaching duties of Jack Petersen the next year. "Awakening," Corey's first album as a leader spent twelve weeks on the Jazz Week chart, reaching number 16 in March 2005. Corey Christiansen has a number of publications with Mel Bay and has conducted countless guitar clinics and concerts across the country and beyond including Europe, South Africa and Australia.