Rising McDowell has been playing piano for over 22 years.
Rising performing at AUS (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport) in Vino Volo Wine Bar.
Rising plays special Mother's Day Event for Ledgestone Senior Living.
Rising performs on Brookdale Lakeway's Grand Piano.
Connecting with a resident after a performance at Tech Ridge Oaks Retirement Community.
Photographed on the Austin's Greenbelt courtesy of Audrey Davis Photography.
Rising is happy to match her attire to your event's level of formality and color palette.
Rising playing on the Steinway Grand Piano at Longhorn Village in Steiner Ranch, TX.
Rising and her listeners at her residency at the Reserve at Lake Austin.
Rising playing at the Village at the Triangle, 2024
* Currently booking in Austin for 2025 and Beyond*
Rising trained classically for 12 years and offers a beautiful and refined repertoire of classical, romantic, impressionistic, contemporary and popular 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 performance. Rising also sings and offers full vocal sets with piano, or mixed sets with solo piano and singing.
9 reviews
Bettyb
June 26, 2025I have invited Rising McDowell several times over the last few years to entertain our residents in Brookdale Senior Living. She has always come well prepared and been on time. That is very important since we never want the audience to wait, especially in a skilled nursing setting where our residents are recuperating from health issues and sitting up in wheelchairs is not easy when you are in pain. Rising has enamored them with her quality of performance and never fails to engage them with her stories. Thank you so much, Rising for being kind and respectful towards the elderly and making them forget, even for a short time, their pain and anxiety.
Hired as: Pianist
Renae G.
October 13, 2023Rising does such a phenomenal job performing for my residents! They love her style of music and always request she comes back! Highly recommended her!
Hired as: Pianist
Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist
Thank you Renae! I appreciate playing for your community and I look forward to being back soon! Best, Rising
Philip H.
April 11, 2023Rising came to Ledgestone Senior Living and blew everyone away! She truly enjoys the art of classical piano, and it shows.
Not only does she play piano to perfection, but also interacts with the audience. Our residents enjoyed that. They are looking forward to seeing her again!
She is a joy to work with, and such a talent! We've scheduled Rising to join us on our calendar many times going forward. Our residents can hardly wait to hear her play at our upcoming Mother's Day Event. She would be an amazing addition to any event you may want to bring a little extra to. Rising carries and abundance of class and elegance. She's breath of fresh air for any community, or event planner.
Hired as: Classical Pianist, Pianist
Ruben F.
April 4, 2023Rising is an incredibly professional and well versed pianist that the residents at The Reserve at Lake Austin have a immense pleasure listening to. She gives insight on each piece she plays and keeps the audience engaged throughout the performance. The residents are always wanting to know when she will be back!
Hired as: Classical Pianist
Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist
Hi Ruben, thank you for your wonderful review! I love playing for your community and can't wait to be back through the rest of the year! Best, Rising
David W.
April 2, 2023Had a good time!
Hired as: Classical Pianist
Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist
Hi David, it was a pleasure to play at your reception. Thanks again for having me!
Price range: $250 and up
Languages: English, Spanish, Thai
Gig length: 60 - 180 minutes
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 your event's level of formality.
I am happy to provide background ambiance 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.
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 always 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!
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 Julliard alumna.
With 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 see full setlist for details.
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 around Austin.
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 set-up, microphone & mic stand, and lighting for sheet music. Please reach out with questions regarding equipment, logistics, and sound.
Sunday
Worship Service
8:00am - 10:00am
•
Bastrop, TX
Saturday
Children’s Birthday Party
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Austin, TX
Thursday
Wedding Ceremony
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Austin, TX
SOLO PIANO
-Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key (1812)
-My Country Tis of Thee, Samuel Francis Smith (1831)
-Nocturne in F-Sharp Major, Opus 15 No. 2, Frederic Chopin (1841)
-Wedding Chorus, Felix Mendelssohn (1842)
-Waltz in A Minor, B. 150 Op. Posth, Frederic Chopin (1847)
-Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), Richard Wagner (1850)
-Swan Lake Theme, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1877)
-Morning Prayer, Op. 39 No. 1, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1878)
-Romance Sans Parole, Op. 17 No. 3, Gabriel Fauré (1878)
-Gymnopedie No. 1, Erik Satie (1888)
-Sonatine No. 2, Mouvement de Menuet in Db Major, Maurice Ravel (1904)
-Claire de Lune, Claude Debussy (1905)
-It Had To Be You, Isham Jones (1924)
-As Time Goes By, Herman Hupfeld (1931)
-La Vie en Rose, Louis Guglielmi (1945)
-Moon River, Henry Mancini (1961)
-Christmas Time is Here, Vince Guaraldi (1965)
-Children’s Dreams, Op. 88, Dimitri Kabalevsky (1971)
-Here is Bread, Graham Kendrick (1991)
-Here in This Place, Marty Haagen (1991)
-Beauty and the Beast, Alan Menken (1991)
-May Song, Enrique Granados (1993)
-Colors of the Wind, Alan Menken (1995)
-The Promise of the World, Joe Hisaishi (2004)
-Just As I Am, William Bradbury (2005)
-Seal Lullaby, Eric Whitacre (2008)
-Zoetrope, Joep Beving (2015)
-Sleeping Lotus, Joep Beving (2015)
-The Light She Brings, Joep Beving (2015)
-Peaches Etude, FINNEAS (2021)
-New Home, Austin Farwell (2021)
-Blessing, Austin Farwell (2022)
-City Lights, Austin Farwell (2022)
-A World Away, Austin Farwell (2022)
PIANO WITH VOCALS
-Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland (1939)
-All of Me, Billie Holiday (1941)
-White Christmas, Bing Crosby (1942)
-I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Bing Crosby (1943)
-I’ll Be Seeing You, Billie Holiday (1944)
-When I Fall in Love, Nat King Cole (1956)
-Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin (1959)
-What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? Ella Fitzgerald (1960)
-Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley (1961)
-Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright, Bob Dylan (1963)
-Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke (1964)
-Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra (1964)
-What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong (1967)
-(Sitting’ On) The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding (1968)
-Country Roads, John Denver (1971)
-Just the Two of Us, Bill Withers & Grover Washington Jr. (1985)
-Ring Them Bells, Bob Dylan (1989)
-Sea of Love, Cat Power (2000)
-Valerie, Amy Winehouse (2006)
-Love is a Losing Game, Amy Winehouse (2006)
-Knew All Along, Alan Jackson (2013)
-Rolling Stone, Passenger (2014)
-Rainbow, Kasey Musgraves (2018)
-The Wolves, Watchhouse (2019)
-My Future, Billie Eilish (2020)
-Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish (2021)
-Over There, Japanese House (2023)
-Flowers, Miley Cyrus (2023)
BY ERA—ROMANTIC
Solo Piano:
-Nocturne in F-Sharp Major, Opus 15 No. 2, Frederic Chopin (1841)
-Waltz in A Minor, B. 150 Op. Posth, Frederic Chopin (1847)
-Swan Lake Theme, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1877)
-Morning Prayer, Op. 39 No. 1, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1878)
-Romance Sans Parole, Op. 17 No. 3, Gabriel Fauré (1878)
-Children’s Dreams, Op. 88, Dimitri Kabalevsky (1971)
With Vocals:
-All of Me, Billie Holiday (1941)
-When I Fall in Love, Nat King Cole (1956)
-Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin (1959)
-Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley (1961)
-Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra (1964)
-What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong (1967)
-Just the Two of Us, Bill Withers & Grover Washington Jr. (1985)
-Sea of Love, Cat Power (2000)
BY ERA—IMPRESSIONISTIC:
-Gymnopedie No. 1, Erik Satie (1888)
-Sonatine No. 2, Mouvement de Menuet in Db Major, Maurice Ravel (1904)
-Claire de Lune, Claude Debussy (1905)
BY ERA—JAZZ & CLASSICS:
Solo Piano:
-It Had To Be You, Isham Jones (1924)
-As Time Goes By, Herman Hupfeld (1931)
-Blue Moon, Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers (1934)
-La Vie en Rose, Louis Guglielmi (1945)
-Moon River, Henry Mancini (1961)
With Vocals:
-Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland (1939)
-All of Me, Billie Holiday (1941)
-White Christmas, Bing Crosby (1942)
-I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Bing Crosby (1943)
-I’ll Be Seeing You, Billie Holiday (1944)
-When I Fall in Love, Nat King Cole (1956)
-Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin (1959)
-What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? Ella Fitzgerald (1960)
-Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley (1961)
-What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong (1967)
BY ERA—CONTEMPORARY & POPULAR
Solo Piano:
-Children’s Dreams, Op. 88, Dimitri Kabalevsky (1971)
-Beauty and the Beast, Alan Menken (1991)
-May Song, Enrique Granados (1993)
-Colors of the Wind, Alan Menken (1995)
-The Promise of the World, Joe Hisaishi & Kimura Yumi (2004)
-Seal Lullaby, Eric Whitacre (2008)
-The Light She Brings, Joep Beving (2015)
-Sleeping Lotus, Joep Beving (2015)
-Zoetrope, Joep Beving (2015)
-Peaches Etude, FINNEAS (2021)
-New Home, Austin Farwell (2021)
-Blessing, Austin Farwell (2022)
-City Lights, Austin Farwell (2022)
-A World Away, Austin Farwell (2022)
With Vocals:
-Ring Them Bells, Bob Dylan (1989)
-Sea of Love, Cat Power (2000)
-Valerie, Amy Winehouse (2006)
-Love is a Losing Game, Amy Winehouse (2006)
-Knew All Along, Alan Jackson (2013)
-Rolling Stone, Passenger (2014)
-Rainbow, Kasey Musgraves (2018)
-The Wolves, Watchhouse (2019)
-My Future, Billie Eilish (2020)
-Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish (2021)
-Over There, Japanese House (2023)
-Flowers, Miley Cyrus (2023)
BY CATEGORY—DISNEY & FILM
Solo Piano:
-As Time Goes By, Herman Hupfeld (1931) [Casablanca]
-Christmas Time is Here, Vince Guaraldi (1965) [A Charlie Brown Christmas]
-Beauty and the Beast, Alan Menken (1991) [Beauty and the Beast]
-Colors of the Wind, Alan Menken (1995) [Pocahontas]
-The Promise of the World, Joe Hisaishi (2004) [Howl's Moving Castle]
-Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland (1939) [The Wizard of Oz] [vocal]
BY CATEGORY—WEDDING
Solo Piano:
-Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), Richard Wagner (1850)
-Wedding Chorus, Felix Mendelssohn (1842)
-Romance Sans Parole, Op. 17 No. 3, Gabriel Fauré (1878)
-Claire de Lune, Claude Debussy (1905)
-It Had To Be You, Isham Jones (1924)
-As Time Goes By, Herman Hupfeld (1931)
-Blue Moon, Lorenz Hart & Richard Rodgers (1934)
-La Vie en Rose, Louis Guglielmi (1945)
-Moon River, Henry Mancini (1961)
-Beauty and the Beast, Alan Menken (1991)
-Nocturne in F-Sharp Major, Opus 15 No. 2, Frederic Chopin (1841)
-Children’s Dreams, Op. 88, Dimitri Kabalevsky (1971)
-May Song, Enrique Granados (1993)
-The Promise of the World, Joe Hisaishi (2004)
-Peaches Etude, FINNEAS (2021)
-New Home, Austin Farwell (2021)
With Vocals:
-All of Me, Billie Holiday (1941)
-I’ll Be Seeing You, Billie Holiday (1944)
-When I Fall in Love, Nat King Cole (1956)
-Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin (1959)
-Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley (1961)
-Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra (1964)
-What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong (1967)
-Just the Two of Us, Bill Withers & Grover Washington Jr. (1985)
-Sea of Love, Cat Power (2000)
BY CATEGORY—PATRIOTIC
-Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key (1812)
-My Country Tis of Thee, Samuel Francis Smith (1831)
-Country Roads, John Denver (1971) [vocal]
BY CATEGORY—RELIGIOUS
-Here is Bread, Graham Kendrick (1991)
-Here in This Place, Marty Haagen (1991)
-Just As I Am, William Bradbury (2005)
Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Barber, Tchaikovsky, and contemporary composers Joep Beving, Eric Whitacre, Alan Menken, Louis Guglielmi, and others
For acoustic pianos, 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
Classical Pianist