Rising McDowell Classical Piano Classical Pianist from Austin, TX

* Currently booking in Austin through 2024! * Rising trained classically for 12 years and offers a beautiful and refined repertoire of classical, romantic, impressionistic, contemporary, jazz, and popular piano pieces that soothe the soul and uplift the heart. Listeners have described her playing as "magical" and "heavenly." Her sensitive artistic touch and focus on dynamic expression brings an atmosphere of serenity and wistfulness to every event space. WHAT TO EXPECT: You can expect me to arrive to your venue 15–30 minutes early so I can set up in a timely manner and prepare for a highly professional performance. I typically dress in a long gown and high heels and, at your request, can adapt my attire to your preferences for level of formality and color palette of your event. I am happy to provide background ambiance to your event and begin playing inconspicuously, or to formally introduce myself and announce titles of each piece if desired. I enjoy engaging with my listeners, answering questions, and giving context and fun backstories to my repertoire. I also love simply melding into the atmosphere. During my performance I play some pieces by memory and also utilize sheet music. I offer a variety of styles, and make a point to sequence my setlist so that pieces flow smoothly from one to the next. I describe my overall sound as velvety, dynamic, and peaceful. After my performance, it's my pleasure to converse with listeners who have comments or questions. I aspire to offer the utmost warmth and professionalism in my presence. You can expect communications with me to be smooth and easy. You can also expect your listeners to be asking when and where they'll get to hear me next! ABOUT RISING: Rising McDowell was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 6, she began her studies in piano performance under the rigorous instruction of Virginia Whitehead—a multi award-winning pianist and alumna of the Julliard School of Music. Over twelve years of intensive study in sight-reading, performance, dynamic expression, and music theory, Rising developed a sensitive musical sensitivity that led her to win numerous first-place awards at regional competitions throughout Southern California. As a professional pianist, Rising offers a repertoire of classical, romantic, impressionistic, popular, and atmospheric contemporary pieces that soothe the soul and uplift the heart with serenity and wistfulness. Listeners have described her playing as "ethereal," "heavenly," and as if it transported them "to another world"—one where the everyday stresses of life are washed away. Her repertoire includes pieces by Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Fauré, Kabalevsky, Tchaikovsky, and works by contemporary composers Joep Beving, Eric Whitacre, Alan Menken, Austin Farwell, Louis Guglielmi, Isham Jones, and others. Please inquire for a full repertoire list. PAST & CURRENT VENUES: -Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) -Geraldine's at the Hotel Kimpton Van Zandt -Onion Creek Country Club -Brookdale Westlake Hills -Vino Volo Wine Bar -Querencia Barton Creek -OPA! Wine Bar -Conservatory at North Austin -House Wine, South Lamar -The Reserve at Lake Austin -Annie's Cafe & Bar -Brookdale Gaines Ranch -Holiday the Renaissance Austin -Haymaker Austin -Longhorn Village, Steiner Ranch -Bucker Villas -Tech Ridge Oaks -Watermark at Southpark Meadows -Brookdale Northwest Hills -Taco Deli -Maravilla at the Domain -Trinity Church of Austin -24 Diner -Crossing at Oak Hill -The Village at The Triangle -Westminster Retirement -Hut's Burgers -Village on the Park at Onion Creek -Clairmont Retirement Community -Brookdale Beckett Meadows -Grace House -Sodalis Senior Living, Onion Creek -Ledgestone Senior Living -Pecan Ridge Memory Care -Calvary Episcopal Church, Bastrop ...and other private venues around Austin TECHNICAL DETAILS: While an acoustic piano is always preferred, Rising travels with her weighted Roland RD-88 keyboard upon request. Rising can provide all necessary musical equipment including keyboard, stand, speaker system, microphone & mic stand, and lighting for sheet music. For acoustic pianos and keyboards provided by client, please ensure all keys and sustain pedal are in working order. Bench or chair of appropriate height is required. Please inform Rising if venue will be dim or dark, as adequate lighting to see keys is necessary to deliver a quality performance. Please reach out with questions regarding equipment, logistics, and sound.

• New Home | Austin Farwell
• Peaches Etude | FINNEAS
• The Light She Brings | Joep Beving
• Sleeping Lotus | Joep Beving
• Zoetrope | Joep Beving
• Seal Lullaby | Eric Whitacre
• Just As I Am | William Bradbury
• The Promise of the World | Joe Hisaishi & Kimura Yumi
• Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas) | Alan Menken
• May Song | Enrique Granados
• Tale as Old as Time (Beauty and the Beast Main Theme) | Alan Menken
• Here is Bread, Here is Wine | Graham Kendrick
• Here in This Place | Marty Haagen
• Children’s Dreams, Op. 88 | Dimitri Kabalevsky
• Christmas Time is Here | Vince Guaraldi
• Moon River | Henry Mancini
• La Vie en Rose | Louis Guglielmi
• Blue Moon | Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers
• As Time Goes By | Herman Hupfeld
• It Had To Be You | Isham Jones
• Claire de Lune | Claude Debussy
• Sonatine No. 2, Mouvement de Menuet in Db Major | Maurice Ravel
• Gymnopedie No. 1 | Erik Satie
• Romance Sans Parole, Op. 17 No. 3 | Gabriel Fauré
• Morning Prayer, Op. 39 No. 1 | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Swan Lake Ballet Theme | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) | Richard Wagner
• Waltz in A Minor, B. 150 Op. Posth. | Frederic Chopin
• Wedding Chorus | Felix Mendelssohn
• Nocturne in F-Sharp Major, Opus 15 No. 2 | Frederic Chopin
• My Country Tis of Thee | Samuel Francis Smith
• Star Spangled Banner | Francis Scott Key
• Over the Rainbow (Vocal) | Judy Garland
• Beyond the Sea (Vocal) | Bobby Darin
• Can’t Help Falling in Love (Vocal) | Elvis Presley
• Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright (Vocal) | Bob Dylan
• Change Is Gonna Come (Vocal) | Sam Cooke
• Fly Me to the Moon (Vocal) | Frank Sinatra
• (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay (Vocal) | Otis Redding
• Country Roads (Vocal) | John Denver
• Just the Two of Us (Vocal) | Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers
• Sea of Love (Vocal) | Cat Power
• Valerie (Vocal) | Amy Winehouse
• Love is a Losing Game (Vocal) | Amy Winehouse
• Knew All Along (Vocal) | Alan Jackson
• Rolling Stone (Vocal) | Passenger
• Rainbow (Vocal) | Kasey Musgraves
• The Wolves (Vocal) | Watchhouse
• My Future (Vocal) | Billie Eilish
• Happier Than Ever (Vocal) | Billie Eilish
• Over There (Vocal) | Japanese House
• Flowers (Vocal) | Miley Cyrus