Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Favilla.
Hi Peter, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been drawn to music for as long as I can remember—honestly, since the moment I had any real sense of consciousness. I grew up in a place that didn’t offer a clear or traditional pathway into a life in music, so my upbringing was unconventional. It was full of interesting people, strange turns, and a lot of figuring things out on my own. There wasn’t a straight line, but there was always music.
From an early age, I slowly grew the confidence to say yes to as much as I could—performing, composing, collaborating, learning—anything that moved me forward. Music school was a strange and formative time, but through all of it, I never lost my passion or belief in myself. I always trusted my ability not just to create music, but to bring people together through it. Eventually, that momentum carried me to New York City, and that’s where things really began to crystallize.
Along the way, I became deeply interested in the intersection of music, business, and technology. I realized early on that if I wanted longevity, autonomy, and creative freedom, I needed to understand the modern world—not fight it. Technology has given us more tools than any generation before, and I believe that doesn’t dilute musicianship; it strengthens it. Used thoughtfully, it creates better-equipped, more independent artists. I’ve leaned into that mindset to build businesses, support myself sustainably, and stay in control of my own creative destiny.
Today, that approach allows me to perform all over the country and internationally while developing multiple projects at once. I’m producing and touring shows, including a Pink Floyd candlelight concert series. I’m building an early childhood music education venture that’s nearly fully realized. I’m also part of a dueling—D-U-A-L-I-N-G—piano project with Piano Mike, who has been a massive friend and influence in my life. We’ve built something rooted in collaboration, movement, and shared creativity, and we take that energy all over the city. I co-founded Echoland Studios with John Ott and Ryan Zeminski, and we’re operating in Times Square at the famous Music Building in Madonna’s old rooms. We are very fortunate to have cultivated a culture of community as well as a place where virtually any musical creation or collaboration is possible.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have people shape my journey. Dr. Marissa Guarriello has been a huge influence—both personally and creatively—helping guide projects that bridge music, education, and storytelling. And I owe deep thanks to Paul Vigiano, who opened doors early on: introducing me to rock musicians, bringing me into recording studios, and teaching me how artists once marketed themselves before the digital age. That grounding in the “old ways” has been invaluable as I navigate the new ones.
At this point in my life, I’m performing around the country, building my own companies, collaborating across disciplines, composing, educating, and actively working to modernize how people experience, produce, and fight for their own music. For me, it’s all connected. Music isn’t just something I play—it’s a living system, and I’m committed to helping it evolve while staying human at its core.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest obstacles I faced was honestly a lack of a clear identity. The world was changing so fast, and I came up during a time when the traditional systems around music were dissolving. It was hard to even understand what the systems were anymore—what was being asked of artists, how talent fit into a modern economy, or how to present yourself in a way that created consistency and trust over time. I struggled for a while with questions like: Where do I fit? What am I building? And how do I create something people can return to and believe in?
That process took time. I had to learn how to view myself not as a product in a limiting sense, but as a living, evolving body of work. I’m still growing, but I’m finally starting to understand my place and how my skills translate into value—for audiences, collaborators, and the communities I work with.
Another major challenge has been being misunderstood. Passion and excitement can draw people in quickly, but the long road—the day-to-day work, the uncertainty, the repetition—is much harder to share with others. It’s not easy to find people who are willing to stay the course, truly see the vision, and grow alongside you. Especially when you’re not just learning how to be an artist, but also how to be a professional, how to communicate clearly, and how to show up conscientiously in relationships.
That tension—between vision and reality, energy and endurance—has been one of the most difficult parts of the journey. But it’s also been one of the most formative. Learning how to navigate that space has shaped not just my career, but who I am as a person.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work lives in a few different worlds, and I’m known for different things in each of them.
In the entertainment world, I’m known for delivering high-energy, mind-blowing live shows built around real interaction. There’s a lot of banter, a lot of reading the room in real time, and a huge range of repertoire. What’s funny is that I was originally trained as a concert pianist—quiet stage, formal setting, everyone sitting still—and I still deeply love that tradition. But working a crowd from behind a piano is my favorite thing. There’s something electric about shaping a performance in the moment, responding to people, and turning a concert into a shared experience instead of a one-way presentation.
In education, I’m known for customization and care. I put an enormous amount of time, energy, and thought into tailoring every experience—whether it’s one-on-one piano instruction or working with groups. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all music education. Every student is different, and I take that seriously.
What I’m most proud of is that I never let go of the dream I had as a kid. I faced a lot of resistance—often from people closest to me—and there were long stretches where the vision wasn’t obvious to anyone else. But over decades of work, struggle, and gradual progress, that vision has become real. I’m proud that I’m still here, still creating, still learning, and still pushing forward.
And finally, what probably sets me apart most is my personality. I’m a wild, expressive, energetic person who loves to entertain—no matter the context. Whether I’m at a piano, telling stories, shoveling snow, farming, or building a business, I bring that same sense of curiosity and joy. I don’t really know how to do things halfway, and I think people feel that.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memories are the moments when my entire family was together—my parents, all of my siblings, and our cat, Miss Kitty. We had her for eighteen years, and she was a constant presence throughout my upbringing. I’m one of six children, and I love my family tremendously.
That love has only deepened with time. As the years pass, it has become more grounding and fortifying, shaping who I am and how I move through the world. I know without question that the most important people in my life are my family, and I look back on those times we were all together with a profound sense of gratitude and affection.
Pricing:
- My First Lesson is Free!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pianopete.weebly.com/#/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pianopetemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Piano-Pete-61564035489178/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@pianopetemusic
