Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Reese Pike. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Reese, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I recently worked on a new musical called Ways to Win the Woods, which reflected the lived experiences of women navigating homelessness through the lens of the fairytale Hansel and Gretel. I composed and orchestrated the music for this project, and my mom wrote the lyrics and the book. It was very special to get to work together in this setting. We’ve worked on a few songs together before, but it was a new experience to work on a project of this scale. I’m originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and we worked with an organization called MICAH House, which provides a safe, supportive environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, to create this project. Throughout the development of the project, I learned so much from the women staying at MICAH House. Their resilience, continued sense of humor in the face of hardship, and energy to create positive change taught me so much about the way I want to live my life. The work was also developed in partnership with Anastasis Theatre Co., Great Plains Theatre Commons, the Omaha Symphony, and Pottawattamie Arts, Culture and Entertainment (PACE). It was amazing to see so many different people come together to tell this story. The cast was made up of both professional actors and people with lived experience, so I also really appreciated the opportunity to think about different ways to rehearse and be open to all levels of experience. Overall, I loved working on a project with such an important message that had a really strong foundation in community. It reminded me why we make art in the first place and the real power it has to bring people together.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a pianist and composer, and I perform many styles of music, including jazz, Western classical music, and musical theatre. I started playing piano at age six, and I’ve been performing ever since. In undergrad, I majored in Piano Performance with Jazz Emphasis, and I learned so much about delving into different musical styles and ways of creating. I’m currently studying to receive my master’s degree at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and will graduate in June 2026. As a musician, I perform with many groups, compose my own music, and teach. I am most interested in exploring the connections between social activism and music, and I work to make sure that my projects uplift the voices of others and bring community together. Right now, I’m developing a project based on the life of Mexican-American composer María Grever aimed at sharing Grever’s inspiring life with a wider audience and promoting the contributions of women in music. I also love teaching: I believe that every student brings something unique to the process of making music, so it is my goal to help students find the musical styles, practices, and strategies that work best for them. I work with students to find their individual voice on the piano, and most importantly, experience the joy of making music. I want students to feel supported and comfortable while they develop their own creative freedom. Whether at the piano or in the classroom, I create music based on my belief that music has the power to create positive change.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

To me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting to connect with so many different people. You never know how someone is going to react to your music, and sometimes the parts that people appreciate most are things you never would have thought of yourself. When I perform, I love to see how different people respond. I also love that you need to work with so many different people to make music in the first place. When I play with other musicians, there’s so much nonverbal communication taking place. I can communicate a change just by making eye contact. I love that music forces me to think in different ways and draw on my bonds with different people.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew how many fellowships, residencies, and grants are out there earlier on. While it definitely takes time and energy to apply to these kinds of opportunities, they are so worth it! It took me a while to realize these opportunities exist on all kinds of levels, whether it’s local, state-wide, or national. If you have a project you’re really passionate about, odds are that you can find support to develop it in some way. Support might not always be monetary, but these opportunities are also great ways to build community and meet other artists.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reese.pike.music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reese.pike.186
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reese-pike-7b3884343
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reesepikemusic

Image Credits

Sarah Pedlar
Omaha Under the Radar Festival