Rogue Pianist bringing classical, contemporary sounds to CSPS in Cedar Rapids

Many musicians leave the Heartland for California but Kimberly StarKey went the opposite way.

StarKey, 37, who grew up in Ashland in southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, studied recording engineering in Los Angeles. However, the classically trained pianist relocated to Iowa in 2022 and settled in Marion seven months ago.

“It’s true that most musicians leave the Midwest for the West Coast, but I did the opposite,” StarKey said. “I love it here and I’m never leaving. I bet most people who were born and raised here have no idea how great it is living in Iowa. I know, since I’ve lived elsewhere.”

What makes StarKey’s story even more unusual is that she moved to Iowa without ever visiting the Hawkeye State.

“Even though I had never been to Iowa, I thought it was the right place for me since it fit all of my criteria,” StarKey explained. “I needed a central hub that was affordable. I had to have solid internet. I looked high and low (online) and it was obvious that Iowa is the perfect place for me.”

StarKey, also known as “The Rogue Pianist,” is a composer/pianist who performs primarily romantic classical tunes. Her material will be showcased Saturday at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids.

“I utilize the whole piano when I create these original compositions,” she said. “I’m constantly coming up with original material.”

StarKey will perform “The Fire Within,” a piano concerto that debuted on the Billboard classical music chart at No. 3 and won Classical Song of the Year in 2020 at the International Music and Entertainment Awards. StarKey will be joined by pianist Sarah Derrie.

“The theme of the concert is getting through challenges,” StarKey said. “My life has gone awry often. I know what it’s like dealing with challenges. But I’ve done the best I can and I never stopped creating.”

StarKey recently co-composed a two-piano rendition of “Flight of the Bumblebee,” which is featured on Jennifer Thomas’ album, “Classical Reimagined, Vol. 1.”

“I love working,” StarKey said. “That’s probably so. since what I do is my passion. I could play piano all day.”

StarKey performs every Saturday at NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids.

“I try be out at the market by noon,” she said. “I bring my digital piano and play. I love that I get to meet people there and give the little kids high-fives — and I encourage them to play the piano.”

StarKey established Keys Unleashed Academy, an online-based program that teaches adults and children of all levels to improvise and compose music by developing internal music maps.

“What I do is not just teach you how to play notes on paper, I teach people to speak the language of music,” she said. “For example, if you and I could only speak using scripts of movies, that’s how most people play the piano. You find the right line from the movie or you find the right song someone wrote on the piano and you play it.

“What if you don't have sheet music and you want to play something? My super power is piano improvisation. I sit down and make up music all the time. That’s my favorite thing, and the cool thing is that anyone who wants to do that can do it, too.”

StarKey is an accomplished multitasker.

“What’s helped is living here,” she said. “I love living in Marion and I enjoy being in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. It’s so inspiring around here. You have a thriving community of businesses, restaurants and there’s parks and rivers. It helps me create and stay on top of everything.”