The Beginning:
I am Kaly Rhodes, performing as Rhodesymusic. As a dedicated pianist and composer, I thrive on blending classical/romantic traditions with my original improvisations.
My musical path began at age seven. While watching top gear with my father, I found myself captivated by the orchestral soundtracks playing behind the scenes. Listening to Classic FM at my grandmother's home further fuelled this obsession, sparking a lifelong curiosity for the piano and the beauty of classical music.
My First Piano:
At eight years old, I asked my dad if I could have a piano, and we eventually managed to get a Yamaha upright. I began learning mostly by ear, working out parts of Beethoven’s Für Elise and Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 16 without relying much on sheet music. At the same time, I spent hours experimenting at the keyboard, improvising and coming up with ideas of my own. One of my earliest compositions was even inspired by Für Elise, which was one of the first pieces that really stayed with me.
My Story
Stepping Away and Returning:
Around the ages of 11–12, I gradually lost interest in the piano and barely played for several years. That changed in late 2021, when I was 15, after I discovered Chopin’s nocturnes on Spotify. Hearing his music completely reignited my interest in the instrument and made me want to take piano much more seriously again. From that point, Chopin became the biggest influence on both my playing and the way I approached composition.
Teaching Myself:
From 2021 onwards, I began developing largely on my own through practice, listening, experimentation and tutorials on Youtube. I worked on my technique, improvisation, composition and eventually sight-reading, gradually building my own approach to the piano. Being mostly self-taught gave me the freedom to explore music in a very personal way and helped shape the style I continue to develop today.
Finding Stability Through Music:
From late 2022 onwards, I went through a period of major change in my personal life and spent time living away from home. During that time, music became one of the most consistent parts of my life. I continued practising, composing and improvising, and the piano became a place where I could focus, express myself and find some stability. In many ways, music became a lifeline for me — something I could always return to when everything else around me felt uncertain.
A New Prospect:
In 2024, I met Brad Kella, winner of Series 2 of Channel 4’s The Piano, by chance at a public piano in Liverpool. Meeting him gave me a huge boost in motivation and made the idea of building a real career around music feel far more achievable. Seeing another pianist turn his passion into a career inspired me to take my own playing and compositions more seriously and gave me even more determination to keep pushing forward.
Performing Live:
In 2025, I performed at Notes at the Amelia at The Amelia Scott in Tunbridge Wells, which became an important step in gaining confidence performing for a live audience. From around Christmas 2025 through to February 2026, I also played piano regularly on weekends at The Warren restaurant in Tunbridge Wells. Performing there on a regular basis helped me become more comfortable playing in front of people and gave me valuable experience as a live pianist.
Developing Further:
In May 2026, after years of developing mostly independently, I began regular lessons with professional pianist Anthony Zerpa-Falcon.
Working with Anthony has allowed me to refine the technique and musicianship I had built for myself while continuing to develop my own identity as a pianist, composer and improviser.
My Musical Style:
My biggest musical influence is Chopin, particularly his approach to melody, harmony and expression. I also draw some inspiration from Liszt, mainly in the more virtuosic and technically demanding side of piano writing.
Today, I focus on a mixture of classical repertoire, improvisation and original composition. Improvisation remains a major part of how I connect with the piano, while composing gives me the opportunity to develop those ideas into something more lasting.
Looking Ahead:
My main aim is to build a career as a pianist and composer, perform for audiences around the world and create music that people genuinely connect with.
Alongside performing and writing my own piano music, I’d also love to explore composing for films, games and other visual media as a secondary part of my career, giving me another way to tell stories through music.
-Rhodesymusic
