We were lucky to catch up with Jon & Yoko Greeney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jon & Yoko, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Two musicians have established a nonprofit organization named “SoundsTruck NW” that features a state-of-the-art mobile stage. Their goal is to enhance access to the arts and uplift communities by using this innovative platform.

Jon & Yoko, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

We are Jon & Yoko Greeney, classical musicians, dedicated educators, and proud parents to three wonderful children. After graduating from music school, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, we’ve called many cities home, including Xalapa, Mexico, however, since 2010, we’ve found our true home in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon. Jon holds the position of Principal Timpanist with the Oregon Symphony and teaches at Portland State University. Yoko actively performs as a collaborative pianist and teaches at Lewis and Clark College. Today, we are excited and honored to introduce our newly established nonprofit organization, SoundsTruck NW.
In 2021, amidst the challenges raised by the Covid-19 pandemic, including the closure of performing arts venues and uncertainty surrounding the future of concerts, we embarked on a journey to reimagine and redefine the concert experience. At the same time we were seeing the landscape of Portland change, we were inspired to explore how our role as musicians could bring meaningful contributions to our beloved city.
Our primary objectives were to emphasize accessibility, flexibility, resilience, and inclusivity. After extensive brainstorming sessions spanning days and months, we made the decision to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to utilizing a mobile stage to bring live performances to various communities and outdoor settings.
What initially began as a response to the pandemic has gradually transformed into a bigger vision for the future, where music serves as a unifying force to uplift and enrich the diverse communities we care for.
Finding a builder turned out to be a challenging task, primarily due to the ongoing pandemic and the unique nature of our project. After reaching out to numerous companies across the nation, our search led us to a remarkable discovery right here in Portland. Tiny Heirloom, a local tiny home builder, not only shared our enthusiasm for creating a mobile stage but also believed in our vision. The team at Tiny Heirloom went above and beyond to bring the ideas and visions of two musicians to life. Our mobile stage is a true masterpiece, filled with creativity, meticulous engineering, and craftsmanship of the skilled artisans at Tiny Heirloom.

The stage is equipped with all the essential gears for outdoor concerts. It unfolds effortlessly like origami at the desired location. An electrically powered slide-out stage extension comes out, and a custom-designed glass door opens and transforms into a stylish awning. Within moments, it is fully set up.
The audio experience is exceptional, thanks to the craftsmanship of Portland’s own sound engineer, Nick Moon. Nick’s dedication to perfection shines through in the high-quality speakers, cutting-edge amplification systems, and brilliant LED screens seamlessly integrated into the stage.
But here’s the real game-changer: our stage runs on solar power, which was also engineered by Nick Moon. This means it operates entirely off-the-grid, powered by rechargeable solar energy. This innovation allows us to bring outdoor concerts to practically anywhere.
When our mobile stage was finally completed in mid-May 2023, SoundsTruck NW, our newly formed nonprofit organization, was ready for the first summer season. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable support of Amelia Lukas, the Founder and Principal of Aligned Artistry, who is also a virtuoso flutist whom we love performing with.
With a clear mission to “empower and celebrate communities through outdoor live musical performances,” we embarked on our inaugural season. Throughout the year, we proudly delivered a series of free, family-friendly outdoor concerts to more than 20 diverse communities. These performances took place in a variety of settings, including parks, shelters, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. Our programs were carefully curated in collaboration with Amelia Lukas to honor and celebrate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and embrace a wide spectrum of musical genres.

We also had the privilege of collaborating with remarkable local organizations, including Portland Parks & Recreation, the City of Portland, Portland Japanese Garden, and Chamber Music Northwest. One particularly memorable event took place in partnership with JoyRx (Children’s Cancer Association) and Randall Children’s Hospital, held in the hospital’s courtyard. It was the most heartwarming event where former patients came together to perform and share inspiring messages. Some patients were able to attend, and many family members and caregivers of the patients joined the event as well. I’ll always remember the moment when a young boy, a sibling of one of the patients, beamed with happiness as he enjoyed the outdoor experience.
In just three short years, what began as a humble response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic has evolved into something truly remarkable – a thriving nonprofit organization equipped with a state-of-the-art mobile stage. We are deeply grateful for our incredibly dedicated and passionate team at SoundsTruck NW. Our inaugural season was not only filled with valuable learning experiences but also with a sense of reassurance. It became clear that our mission was resonating with our community and beyond. We were so inspired by the fellow organizations that eagerly joined forces with us to make such a positive impact in the diverse communities of our city, Portland.
We are a small and new organization, but we have big aspirations to make meaningful differences. We are committed to play a pivotal role in fostering a strong sense of community. We can’t wait to deliver more live performances to more communities in our second season!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Our mission is to empower and celebrate communities through outdoor live musical performances.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soundstrucknw.org

Image Credits
Sam Slater Brian Scott Thomas Johnson Yoko Greeney