* Currently booking in Austin through 2024! *
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 does such a phenomenal job performing for my residents! They love her style of music and always request she comes back! Highly recommended her!
Response from Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist:
Thank you Renae! I appreciate playing for your community and I look forward to being back soon! Best, Rising
Rising 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.
Rising 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!
Response from 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
Had a good time!
Response from Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist:
Hi David, it was a pleasure to play at your reception. Thanks again for having me!
I had the pleasure of having Rising perform for my seniors and it was an unforgettable experience! Her technical mastery, musicality, and stage presence was impressive. The repertoire was varied and showcased her versatility as a performer. She engaged with the audience and shared insights into the music and composers. I highly recommend her to anyone who appreciates classical music!
Response from Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist:
Hi Sarah, thank you so very much for your warmth, enthusiasm, and the wonderful review! It is such a pleasure to play for you and your community and I can't wait until next time!
Rising came to our Community, Pecan Ridge Memory Care and performed quite lovely! She was beautifully dressed and eloquent as well as professional! You want Rising at your events!
Response from Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist:
Thank you so much Marcy for your thoughtful review! It was a delight playing for you and I hope to be back again soon. All the best, Rising
I am an Activity Director for a 65 and older retirement community in South Austin. We had Rising McDowell perform for our Alzheimer's Fundraiser. She played beautiful classical music for almost 2 hours. Our residents enjoyed her playing immensely. One resident called me after the event and raved about Rising's piano playing. I will be having her back to our community to play in the future. Rising is very professional, prompt, and a joy to work with.
Response from Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist:
Rhonda, thank you so much for your warm review! It was such a treat to provide the ambiance for your event and I hope to play for you again soon. All the best, Rising
I have hired Rising for a few events now and she has always impressed me with her skill and delivery. I have had her do solo pieces and had her collaborate with other musicians. From bassanova to classical piano and cover songs, here range is vast and her voice is special.
Response from Rising McDowell, Classical Pianist:
Hi Jason, thank you for your kind words! I appreciate how much you value my musical talents and I'm very excited to play at your upcoming event next weekend! Warmly, Rising
Price Range: $250 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 180 minutes
Languages: English, Spanish, Thai
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 level of formality and color palette of your event.
I am happy to provide background ambiance to your event 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. I also love simply melding into the atmosphere.
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 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 alumna of the Julliard School of Music.
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
-Onion Creek Country Club
-Brookdale Westlake Hills
-Vino Volo Wine Bar
-Querencia Barton Creek
-OPA! Wine Bar
-Conservatory at North Austin
-House Wine, South Lamar
-The Reserve at Lake Austin
-Annie's Cafe & Bar
-Brookdale Gaines Ranch
-Holiday the Renaissance Austin
-Haymaker Austin
-Longhorn Village, Steiner Ranch
-Bucker Villas
-Tech Ridge Oaks
-Watermark at Southpark Meadows
-Brookdale Northwest Hills
-Taco Deli
-Maravilla at the Domain
-Trinity Church of Austin
-24 Diner
-Crossing at Oak Hill
-The Village at The Triangle
-Westminster Retirement
-Brookdale Lakeway
-Hut's Burgers
-Village on the Park at Onion Creek
-Clairmont Retirement Community
-Brookdale Beckett Meadows
-Grace House
-Sodalis Senior Living, Onion Creek
-Ledgestone Senior Living
-Pecan Ridge Memory Care
-Calvary Episcopal Church, Bastrop
...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.
| February 04, 2024 • 8:00am - 10:00am | Worship Service |
| November 04, 2023 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| March 23, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
-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 & Kimura Yumi (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)
BY CATEGORY
Romantic
-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)
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)
Jazz/Classics
Jazz/Classics
-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)
Contemporary
-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)
Disney
-Beauty and the Beast, Alan Menken (1991)
-Colors of the Wind, Alan Menken (1995)
Wedding
-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)
-Peaches Etude, FINNEAS (2021)
-New Home, Austin Farwell (2021)
Patriotic
-Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key (1812)
-My Country Tis of Thee, Samuel Francis Smith (1831)
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
Austin, TX 
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