Hi! I’m Nate Hance, a Twin Cities-based pianist and entertainer striving to spread joy and creativity to those who need it most with my interactive, energetic, joyful, and creative live performances

In my 15 years as a professional musician, I’ve witnessed music's incredible ability to lift spirits, spark creativity, and bring communities together. Unfortunately, monetary constraints create unequal access to musical performance and education. To combat this barrier, I’m taking my unique piano performances to underserved communities, such as:

• Public Schools

• Senior Living Centers

• Hospitals

• Homeless Shelters

• Anywhere else recommended by you!

Why It Matters

Many of these communities lack access to live music, and therefore miss out on all of the benefits that these experiences create. 

I am especially passionate about bringing my music to schools, as kids today are under immense pressure to achieve, while less emphasis and fewer resources are allocated to the arts.

My goal is to show audiences a different side of music—one that’s about exploration and joy rather than just hitting the right notes.

By performing for underserved audiences, I want to spread positivity, inspire creativity, and make a difference for those who might not otherwise experience the power of live music.

What I Do

In my shows, I combine education, entertainment, and audience interaction to create unforgettable musical experiences.

I take song requests and use my Wheel of Genres to spin a surprise twist on how I’ll play each tune on the piano—whether it’s jazz, classical, ragtime, or something unexpected!

I play piano upside down and backwards, which is something most people haven't seen before!

I craft special medleys and setlists for each audience to make them feel seen and valued.

My performances are not only fun and engaging, but they also show audiences how music can be an accessible outlet for creativity and exploration.

Why Crowdfunding?

While I have successfully made a living as a full-time musician since 2010, I have had to take the gigs that pay the most in order to make ends meet.  I love any chance to make music, but after 14 years of mostly playing music for the highest bidders, I long to find a way to bring music for free to communities with limited means.

Many of these performances will be during the daytime while our 6-month and 2-year old kiddos are in daycare, so I have more time to spend with my wonderful family in the evenings :-)

Why not grants, though? Traditional grants are a wonderful resource, but they often take months—or even years—to be approved, with funding coming through even later. I don’t want to wait to start making an impact.

But don't these communities have budgets for music?

While many have budgets, they are tricky and time-consuming to navigate, and much much lower than they should be.

These communities need music and joy now, and your support can help make that happen without delay. By crowdfunding, we can hit the ground running, bringing live music to people who might otherwise never experience it.

Building a Bigger Impact

With your support, I can perform 2-3 shows each week for underserved audiences and cover essential costs like travel, equipment, and streaming. But that’s just the beginning. Once funding allows, I plan to invite musician friends to join these performances, creating even more dynamic and exciting experiences.

I’m especially committed to assembling a diverse group of musicians. Representation matters, and I want every audience member to see someone on stage they can relate to and identify with. Whether it’s through the instruments we play, the genres we explore, or the stories we share, my goal is to make music accessible and meaningful for everyone.

How You Can Help

For a monthly or one-off donation, you can help me bring music and joy to those who need it most. As a patron, you’ll get access to the full videos from every event, behind-the-scenes updates, exclusive content, and the chance to shape this journey with me.

Together, we can expand this vision to reach even more people and uplift spirits. Join me today and be part of this mission to spread music, joy, and hope!