Rising McDowell Classical Piano Classical Pianist from Austin, TX

*Booking in Austin through 2026!* Rising's refined and relaxed sound is perfect for corporate events, dinner parties, cocktail evenings, weddings, fundraisers, luncheons, and more. Listeners have described her playing as "magical" and "heavenly." Rising's sensitive touch and expressive playing adds an unforgettable atmosphere to any event. Rising trained classically for 12 years and offers solo piano, piano + vocals, and mixed sets up to 3 hrs. Piano genres include classical, romantic, impressionistic, contemporary, jazz, and popular piano pieces. Vocal sets include golden age classics, jazz standards, soul tunes, folk songs, and modern covers. See more at: www.risingmcdowell.com REVIEWS: —"Rising came to our community and performed quite lovely! She was beautifully dressed and eloquent as well as professional! You want Rising at your events!" -Marcy Wintle —"I have hired Rising for a few events now and she has always impressed with her skill and delivery. I have had her do solo pieces and collaborate with other musicians. From Bossa nova to classical piano and cover songs, her range is vast and her voice is special." -Jason Nemer —"We had Rising perform for our Alzheimer's Fundraiser. She played beautiful classical music for almost 2 hours and we enjoyed her playing immensely. Rising is very professional, prompt, and a joy to work with." -Rhonda Kennedy WHAT TO EXPECT: You can expect me to arrive to your venue early and in formal dress so I can prepare for a highly professional performance. I am happy to provide background ambiance to your event or to formally introduce myself and announce titles of each piece if desired. I enjoy engaging my listeners, answering questions, and telling stories about my repertoire. I also love melding into the atmosphere. I offer a variety of styles and make a point to sequence my setlist so that pieces flow smoothly from one to the next and match the energy of your event. My sound is velvety, dynamic, and peaceful. 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! After my performance, I'm happy to converse with listeners who have comments or questions. 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 12 years of intensive study in sight-reading, performance, dynamic expression, and music theory, Rising developed a sensitive artistic touch that led her to win numerous first-place awards at regional competitions throughout California. As a professional pianist, Rising plays to transport listeners "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. CURRENT & PAST VENUES: Past and current venues include: -Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) -Geraldine's at the Hotel Kimpton Van Zandt -The Junior League of Austin -Onion Creek Country Club -The Caswell House -Charles Schwab -Vino Volo Wine Bar -House Wine, South Lamar -OPA! Coffe & Wine Bar -Annie's Cafe & Bar -Calvary Episcopal Church -Trinity Church of Austin -Longhorn Village -Bucker Villas -Brookdale Westlake Hills -Querencia Barton Creek -Conservatory at North Austin -The Reserve at Lake Austin -Belmont Village Lakeway -Brookdale Gaines Ranch -Tech Ridge Oaks -The Village at The Triangle -Holiday the Renaissance Austin -Brookdale Northwest Hills -Maravilla at the Domain -Grace House -Tacodeli -24 Diner -Crossing at Oak Hill -Brookdale Lakeway -Westminster Retirement -Watermark at Southpark Meadows -Clairmont Retirement Community -Brookdale Beckett Meadows -Hut's Burgers -Haymaker Austin -Sodalis Senior Living -Hanover Terrace Village on the Park at Onion Creek -Continental Retirement Community -Ledgestone Senior Living -Pecan Ridge Memory Care ...and other private venues. TECHNICAL DETAILS: While an acoustic piano is always preferred, Rising can provide her weighted Roland RD-88 keyboard upon request, along with all necessary musical equipment including keyboard, stand, speaker system, microphone & mic stand, and lighting for sheet music. For 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, thank you!

• Canon in D, P. 37 | Johann Pachelbel
• Star Spangled Banner | Francis Scott Key
• My Country Tis of Thee | Samuel Francis Smith
• Nocturne in F-Sharp Major, Opus 15 No. 2 | Frederic Chopin
• Wedding Chorus | Felix Mendelssohn
• Waltz in A Minor, B. 150 Op. Posth. | Frederic Chopin
• Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) | Richard Wagner
• Swan Lake Ballet Theme | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Morning Prayer, Op. 39 No. 1 | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Romance Sans Parole, Op. 17 No. 3 | Gabriel Fauré
• Gymnopedie No. 1 | Erik Satie
• Sonatine No. 2, Mouvement de Menuet in Db Major | Maurice Ravel
• Claire de Lune | Claude Debussy
• It Had To Be You | Isham Jones
• As Time Goes By | Herman Hupfeld
• Blue Moon | Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers
• La Vie en Rose | Louis Guglielmi
• Moon River | Henry Mancini
• Christmas Time is Here | Vince Guaraldi
• Children’s Dreams, Op. 88 | Dimitri Kabalevsky
• Here is Bread, Here is Wine | Graham Kendrick
• Here in This Place | Marty Haagen
• Tale as Old as Time (Beauty and the Beast Main Theme) | Alan Menken
• May Song | Enrique Granados
• Colors of the Wind (Pocahontas) | Alan Menken
• The Promise of the World | Joe Hisaishi & Kimura Yumi
• Just As I Am | William Bradbury
• Seal Lullaby | Eric Whitacre
• The Light She Brings | Joep Beving
• Sleeping Lotus | Joep Beving
• Zoetrope | Joep Beving
• Peaches Etude | FINNEAS
• New Home | Austin Farwell
• Blessing | Austin Farwell
• City Lights | Austin Farwell
• A World Away | Austin Farwell
• Over the Rainbow (Vocal) | Judy Garland
• All of Me (Vocal) | Billie Holiday
• White Christmas (Vocal) | Bing Crosby
• I'll Be Home for Christmas (Vocal) | Bing Crosby
• When I Fall in Love (Vocal) | Nat King Cole
• Beyond the Sea (Vocal) | Bobby Darin
• What Are You Doin' New Year's Eve? | Ella Fitzgerald
• 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
• Ring Them Bells (Vocal) | Bob Dylan
• 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