Sylvia Grape

After hiring me for your event or venue (thank you), you will get a musician who gives 100% to her performances, is a responsive and clear communicator, and most importantly, is beyond excited to collaborate with you!

Here's what you can expect after booking me:
1. Either over a phone call or email, we will thoroughly discuss the details of your event and your vision for the music. We'll go over the start and end times of the event and my sets, the style of music you want, favorite genres/songs/artists from my repertoire list, song requests (no death metal or rock operas, please), dress code, and equipment needed. If you have a creative idea in mind, we'll discuss what's possible and I go out of my way to make your musical ideas come to life (see examples below). Depending on the location, I'll want parking instructions and directions to the event. If you have an event planner, you can give me their contact information so I can communicate with them day-of and you can enjoy the day hassle-free! You'll receive a quote from me shortly thereafter.

2. When everything's looking good, I'll then send you a performance agreement spelling out the terms we've agreed to. It will include performance duration(s), compensation, and expectations set to provide clarity and peace of mind. With paperwork signed, I then ask for a 50% retainer to confirm the booking, and the remainder paid 1 week in advance of the event. Please contact me if you need another arrangement, I prioritize my clients' trust and can accommodate on a case-by-case basis.

3. Now I get to do the fun part of preparing the songs or learning any new ones you requested! In general, I'll happily include up to 3 song requests (meaning, not from my repertoire list) if requested thirty days in advance of your event. Please contact me if you have something else in mind. This is also when I do any preparation for song commissions or creative ideas. I communicate with you throughout and respond quickly to you, especially as event details can change leading up to it. This is a good time to send me your playlist for between sets, or you can choose one of mine. I use both Spotify and Tidal as streaming platforms. If requested, I can visit the location prior to the event to get walked through the itinerary and determine the best performance spots.

4. The day you've been waiting for has arrived. You want the event to go off without a hitch and be everything you dreamed of. In all my years of experience, I've consistently found that having an event planner for me to communicate with day-of is crucial. If you don't have an event planner, I strongly recommend designating a reliable friend or family member to handle the details so you can enjoy your memorable day, stress free. And if you've hired me and you're the event planner, then we're already on the right track!

I'll arrive two hours early to soundcheck and set up my equipment before guests arrive. For small events, I'll typically arrive one hour early. I'll be communicating with you or the event planner throughout the day, and will check in and introduce myself. Between sets, you or I can run a playlist via Bluetooth through my state-of-the-art speaker. I conduct myself in a professional manner at all timers and will stay on-site throughout my sets. I'll happily consider requests to play over the designed time.

When the music comes to a wrap, I'll pack up (discreetly so as not to interrupt the event) and thank you for having me play. This is what I live for, and I give everything to my performances, always making sure the crowd is having a fantastic time. It's truly an honor to perform for private events, and all the more to be entrusted with the music for a wedding.

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As mentioned above, if you have a creative idea for your event, it's a personal passion of mine to see it come to life.

Some examples: I was commissioned to turn a fiancé's poem into a song that we surprised his bride-to-be with at their engagement party. I've performed for weddings where I seamlessly switched between songs on my phone for the procession, then right back to performing live. I've surprised guests arriving to the beach with a reception performance running through a mobile (battery powered) sound system. I've even waited at a location on a hiking trail to serenade a proposal. Additionally, I've done different arrangements of songs for an acoustic or guitar-only performance, or to play a specific part of a song on repeat. I've performed Christmas songs at a holiday party while carolers sang between my sets. And one particularly heartfelt occasion was playing unplugged on a boat for a memorial service.

The sky is the limit, so don't hesitate to ask.

Sylvia Grape is a contemporary singer-songwriter and guitarist whose evocative performances blend heartfelt storytelling with masterful musicianship. Originally from Northern California, Sylvia has spent over a decade crafting a career defined by authenticity, versatility, and a profound connection to her audience.

After relocating from the Bay Area to Arizona, Sylvia quickly became a sought-after performer, landing residencies at Sedona’s premier resorts. For over a year, she was a featured act at Ambiente, captivating guests during special events and performing for numerous VIP audiences.

Sylvia’s songwriting, shaped by influences such as Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette, and (link hidden)ie, weaves introspective lyrics with intricate melodies. Her talents extend beyond solo work, having written for electronic groups and shared stages with acclaimed musicians, including Isaac Phillips, an Emmy Award nominee recognized for his collaborations with Whitney Houston.

Her musical journey began early: Sylvia trained in alto saxophone from the age of eight and earned first-chair honors while competing statewide with her high school jazz band. Yet amid personal struggles with mental health throughout her childhood, she ultimately found healing and purpose in a new instrument. At sixteen, she picked up an acoustic guitar and taught herself to sing and write songs, immersing herself in the rich folk traditions of Northern California. What began as a personal outlet blossomed into a calling, propelling her into performances across bars and venues throughout her region. Sylvia later pursued studies in psychology and music at UC Santa Cruz, further deepening her artistic vision.

Over the past twelve years, Sylvia has performed at notable venues including the Whisky a Go Go, Felton Music Hall, and the Santa Cruz Music Festival. Her residencies have included prestigious locations such as L’Auberge de Sedona, Ambiente, and the Stanford Park Hotel. A pivotal moment arrived in 2018 when a wedding performance sparked Sylvia’s passion for curating music for private events. Since then, she has become known for delivering unforgettable experiences tailored to each occasion, whether writing a custom song for a surprise proposal, performing at a beachside elopement, entertaining at a Beverly Hills Housewives Christmas party, or lending her music to charitable and influencer events.

Now based in Columbus, Ohio, Sylvia brings her signature fingerpicking style, driving rhythms, and soulful artistry to the Americana music scene. Though most often performing solo, she commands the stage with an engaging presence and delivers performances that resonate deeply, leaving audiences with lasting memories.

Unless performing somewhere without power, I need to be within 20-30 feet of a power outlet. For distances longer than that, I'll need additional extension cords. If the location is remote, I can provide a mobile sound system.

My speaker is an LD Maui that can accommodate midsize events up to about 200 people. For larger events, I'll need to have additional speakers or an input to run through the house system.

At no extra cost, I can provide a microphone for toasts or speeches that runs through my mixing board. If you need lavalier mics and the venue doesn't provide them, I can rent them out for you.

My setup includes a pedal board, microphone and stand, guitar and stand, column array speaker, mixing board, and plenty of cables. I only ask for a side table, chair, and place out of the sun (or rain) for performing.

Please have a parking spot available close to my setup to make equipment transportation easier. A private location to store my equipment bags is always appreciated, though not required.

I always recommend having me perform close to where guests will be to get the most out of the performance. You'd be surprised at the amount of times I've been placed where guests are arriving only for them to be out of earshot at the bar. I'm happy to help determine performance locations before the event. Also recommended: plan to have lighting where I'm at if the event goes into the night. While I appreciate impromptu iPhone lighting, you don't want people tripping over the cables (or me).