Classical Rock ‘n’ Rollin’ Along, Vol. 1

May 27, 2026

Hi everyone and thank you for your interest in my Classical Rock newsletter! I’m excited to share my adventures as a Classical Rock pianist, and I hope you’ll enjoy coming along for the ride. This newsletter will follow my new Itty Bitty Camper Jams, my regular gigs, and the everyday experiences that come with life as a performing musician.

Over the past several years, I’ve been paying close attention to the kinds of gigs that feel most rewarding to me—and I don’t mean financially. While getting paid matters, the performances that leave me emotionally fulfilled matter even more.

One life-changing performance I’ll never forget was a solo show a few years ago at Listening Stones Farm in Ortonville, Minnesota. My friend John has created a beautiful music and art venue in his home, where he hosts several house concerts each year, and I’m fortunate to be one of his guest artists. At my first concert there, about 30 people attended, and I was nervous. I’d played for much larger crowds than that before, but I was used to bar audiences that often treated the music as background noise for a lively night out.

But as I began my first song, the room grew still. The audience was quiet, attentive, and completely engaged. By the end of the song, I could see in their faces the same sense of peace and joy I feel every time I sit at the piano. My worries fade, my body relaxes, and I settle fully into the music. To share that feeling with an audience is something I can only describe as sacred.

I’ve realized that listening shows are my favorite kind of performance. I love getting to know my audience and making a positive impact, even if it’s only for a short time. Living in a small town in the woods by a lake inspires my artistic and musical creativity, but it also limits the venues available to me. I want to bring my music to audiences across Minnesota and beyond without losing most of my income to hotel costs. That’s where Itty Bitty comes in.

She’s an adorable teardrop camper—essentially a tiny bedroom on wheels. I just bought her on May 13th. She even has her own power source, which means I can now play in natural settings that weren’t possible before because my keyboard and sound system need electricity. Now, the only limit is my imagination.

On May 23rd, 2026, I played my first Itty Bitty Camper Jam at Harmony Park Music Garden in Geneva, Minnesota. I drove more than 250 miles with Itty Bitty on our first adventure together, and I was extremely nervous. It was Memorial Day weekend, the roads were full of impatient drivers and road construction, and I had never camped alone or towed a trailer that far before. What had I gotten myself into?

When I finally reached Harmony Park, I saw right away that I was surrounded by Deadheads and other kindred spirits, all smiling and saying, “Welcome home!” As the ticket agent fastened a smiley-face wristband on my arm, I felt the presence of my dad, who loved smiley faces. He was a child prodigy violinist who died when I was only 14, but in those years, he gave me a deep love of music along with some of his talents. I know he would have loved seeing me play my first Itty Bitty Camper Jam.

For two days, I played for a few hours at a time at my campsite, and the campers nearby welcomed my unexpected music with such warmth and delight. One little girl even made me a beautiful bracelet as she listened to my music. What a perfect souvenir of my first Itty Bitty Camper Jam! In those moments, I knew Itty Bitty Camper Jams could bring joy not only to me, but also to the people who happen to hear them.

The second night, a fierce storm swept through, scaring the wits out of me and leaving me questioning my life’s choices, but Itty Bitty kept me safe and dry. When the storm finally passed, I fell asleep grateful, excited, and eager to discover where this Classical Rock journey would lead next. I’m so thankful you’ve chosen to come along, whether in person or from afar.

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