Criscendo Music Services

Music has been a part of my life since early grade school, starting with piano lessons and growing into a lifelong passion. I got my first real taste of professional performing in my teens, playing keyboard bass in my parents’ wedding band, The Third Wind. Those early gigs taught me how to listen deeply — building the musical ear I still rely on today by learning to hear chord structures from the bass up. Since then, I’ve performed in a wide range of settings across Minnesota: weddings, funerals, church services, restaurants, and live stage shows.

I’m a versatile pianist with decades of experience playing pop covers, jazz standards, hymns (often with a contemporary or jazz twist), contemporary Christian music, and classical. I love blending styles to suit the moment — whether that’s reverent and reflective, or relaxed and celebratory.

Highlights of my performance history include live shows at Valleyfair in the early ’90s, solo piano house gigs at Von Maur and Dangerfield’s, and playing in bands that opened for national acts like The Jets and The Crickets. I’ve served as a church pianist and worship leader at multiple congregations, and I’m always happy to support a guest singer or help a family member shine with a little vocal backup.

I read music, play by ear, and take requests. While I can bring my own keyboard if needed, I generally prefer venues that already have a piano on-site (church, restaurant, or event space).

Music isn’t just something I do — it’s woven into my life. Even in my work as a software engineer, I’ve had the privilege of helping shape world-class music notation software (Finale and MakeMusic Cloud). One of my favorite side projects was a Christmas light display synchronized to music — featuring my own piano playing. A clip from that display even became one of my promo videos here, because… well, music lights up life — literally. I’d be honored to help “light up” your event with music.