Tometa musical journeys
I play the piano, creating live improvised music to support spaces such as dance events and improv theater. Alongside performance, I teach playing by ear and offer tuning services.
This page brings together my different musical activities, as well as the practical details for working with me.
Dance Events
I support a wide variety of movement practices through live piano improvisation. As a dancer myself, I’m particularly drawn to free-form dance events, where I create soundscapes with what is present in the moment — supporting the movement of bodies and the expression of emotions in real time.
I regularly play for events such as Ecstatic Dance, Contact Improv, Zouk classes, various Embodiment Workshops, Conscious Ceremonies and many more.
Jonny Driscoll, Facilitator & Instructor (House of Zoukies)
" When Tom played for my events, I experienced him both in structured performance settings and in fully improvised musical journeys. He is a highly skilled and flexible musician with a calm, grounded presence. His music added a depth and quality to my workshops that I could never achieve with playlists alone. Tom listened carefully to my instructions and improvised in a way that held the energetic space with clarity and progression, supporting the flow of the experience from beginning to end. It became one of my favourite workshops of the year. "
This snippet was captured at an Ecstatic Dance event, it starts with the last song of a 2h-DJ set where I blend in my piano music until the soundtrack fades out. I then support the dancers with a moment of solo piano, improvising on the harmonies of the DJ's last song before transitioning into my own improv based on the moment's feeling.
↓ Practical details
- Price: see price grid.
- Scope: my strength is in live improvisation, I'll draw cues from the dancers and the facilitation and create music on the spot. I do not offer sight reading accompaniment or classical pieces performance.
- Brief: usually a short brief before the event is sufficient. Please let me know in advance if you have a more specific vision.
- Booking: for event performances, a 25% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due on the day of the event.
- Cancellation: for cancellations or rescheduling made within 7 days of the event, the deposit is non-refundable.
- Instrument: we’ll need to confirm which instrument will be used. There are 3 main options:
- you have access to an acoustic piano: please ensure that it can be moved to an appropriate placement (see point on placement below) and is tuned (see my offering on piano tuning if needed).
- you have access to an electronic keyboard: I'm happy to play on it, with a short test and sound check beforehand.
- you don't have a piano: I can bring a portable keyboard, which will need connection to your sound system and a stage monitor for feedback. I'll need a stand to put it on and a seat.
- Placement: please ensure I’m positioned on or near the stage with a direct visual connection to the performers.
- Recording: I'm generally ok with being recorded/filmed, please credit me when sharing publicly.
Improv Theater
I work as a musician for improvised theater, underscoring scenes with live music and accompanying performers in real time.
I am part of the Basic Pitches, an english-speaking improv' group in Zürich specialized in Musicals (check out our monthly shows!). There I serve as Musical Director and vocal coach, composing songs on the spot for the players to invent lyrics on. With the rest of the band, we support shaping the narrative through melody, rhythm, and harmony.
I have played for Close Encounters Theater, Stubä Production and many more.
Live music adds depth and energy to a show, enhancing the experience for both the audience and the players. Thoughtful underscoring supports character work and strengthens the emotional impact of the scenes. I draw from a wide range of genres and respond in real time to what is happening on stage. Here are some practical details about working with me on a show:
↓ Practical details
- Price: see price grid.
- Scope: my strength is in live improvisation, I'll draw cues from the players on stage (emotions, locations, atmosphere, genre) and create music and some sound effects. I do not offer sight reading accompaniment or classical pieces performance.
- Brief: usually a short brief before the show is sufficient. Please let me know in advance if you have a more specific vision.
- Booking: for event performances, a 25% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due on the day of the event.
- Cancellation: for cancellations or rescheduling made within 7 days of the event, the deposit is non-refundable.
- Instrument: we’ll need to confirm which instrument will be used. There are three main options:
- you have access to an acoustic piano: please ensure that it can be moved to an appropriate placement (see practical point on placement) and is tuned (see my offering on piano tuning if needed).
- you have access to an electronic keyboard: I'm happy to play on it, with a short test and sound check beforehand.
- you don't have a piano: I can bring a portable keyboard, which will need connection to your sound system and a stage monitor for feedback. I'll need a stand to put it on and a seat.
- Placement: please ensure I’m positioned on or near the stage with a direct visual connection to the performers.
- Recording: I'm generally ok with being recorded/filmed, please credit me when sharing publicly.
I have been lately featured in
Piano Lessons
Do you feel stuck playing the same piano pieces over and over?
What if you could play songs that you like by ear, understand how music works under the hood, and create your own compositions in the moment?
I teach piano lessons for players of all levels who want to move beyond sheet music and explore the creative freedom of improvisation. You'll learn to recognize chord progressions, play by ear and have fun at the piano without the pressure of performing right or wrong.
↓ Practical details
- Price: see price grid.
- Duration: 1h sessions.
- Scope: My teaching focuses on playing by ear and developing musical intuition so you can feel free at the piano. You will learn the fundamental structure and concepts of modern music in a way that is accessible, fun and without the headaches of traditional music theory. I do not teach from sheet music, nor do I offer jazz improvisation lessons.
- Location: Based in Zürich-Höngg. Lessons can take place at my home or at yours within biking distance.
- Cancellation: Rescheduling is always possible. Cancellations made on the day of the appointment are subject to a 50% fee.
Piano Tuning
As a musician, I believe in the importance of knowing how to care for my instrument. Piano tuning is a delicate art that requires patience, skill, and humility. Learning it opened up a world of frequency wonders and mechanical marvels for me, and deepened my appreciation for this complex yet magical instrument.
I offer tuning services for upright pianos and can also perform basic cleaning, repairs, and regulation.
Piano tuning is a careful and sensitive process. Below you’ll find the practical details to know before booking a session:
↓ Practical details
- Price: see price grid.
- Scope: I currently offer tuning services for upright pianos only, along with basic cleaning, repairs, and regulation. I’m not equipped to service grand pianos at this time.
- Duration: approximately 2-3h. In some cases, very out-of-tune pianos or instruments with mechanical issues may require extra time, preliminary work, or more than one tuning session.
- Warranty: while tuning stability depends on the instrument and its environment, I offer a 2-weeks warranty: if some notes noticeably drift out of tune shortly after the session, I’ll come back free of charge to adjust it.
- Liability: issues during tuning are rare but pianos are complex instruments and, especially on older models, a string may occasionally break as tensions are adjusted. I always work carefully and professionally, but I cannot be held responsible for pre-existing conditions or age-related failures. If this happens, I will gladly help you find a qualified technician for repairs.
- Logistics: Please make sure the piano is easily accessible and the room is at a comfortable temperature. Since tuning requires focus and a quiet environment, I recommend booking the session at a time when the space is relatively calm.
My story as a musician
As a child, I learned to play the piano the traditional way, with private lessons, basic theory, and practicing classical pieces. I enjoyed it, but something always felt off. I memorized a few pieces and could perform them decently, but the process was tedious: deciphering sheet music, long hours of practice, and the pressure of performing perfectly at recitals. The frustration of forgetting the pieces after a few months was constant. I felt embarrassed when I couldn't play more than the two or three pieces I had memorized, couldn't improvise, jam with other musicians, or simply play something for friends to sing along.
After a while I realized that I was actually never really "playing" music... I was "deciphering, practicing, rehearsing, and performing" rather than having fun along the way.
During university, I stopped practicing piano to focus on my studies. While I lost all my repertoire, this break was crucial. When I felt the urge to make music again at 25, I decided to abandon sheet music and commit to only play by ear. So I started by trying to reproduce pop songs I heard on the radio with two fingers, figuring out the melody and experimenting with the bassline. Gradually, I expanded my musical vocabulary, developed my intuition for chord progressions, and after a few years, I could play most songs by ear. Now I have so much fun doing live-karaoke for friends at parties, and am proud of the confidence to improvise wherever there is a piano, knowing that I'll have fun and people around will have a great time as well. On top of that I also developed my singing practice, especially my sense for vocal harmonization.
I'm thrilled with this shift from a music that was very result-oriented or performance-based to a more process-oriented, enjoyment-based approach. I don't regret my traditional training as it developed my technique, and though I don't play classical music anymore, I still enjoy listening to it.
Now I feel very blessed to be able to truly "play" music, with my fingers guided much more by my heart than my head.
Photo Credits :
- Tao Covillault (@tao_covillault)