Meet Cade Braynen | Piano Teacher, Admin Assistant, Organist, & Disability Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cade Braynen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cade, why did you pursue a creative career?
I could begin by saying that, because I started music instruction so young, I was just destined to continue into my adult career. But I won’t do that! While it’s true in a way, there is much more to the story than a simple, overdone explanation of fate. I started piano at the age of three. Roughly 22 years, two college degrees, and countless summer camps and extracurriculars later, I have kept at it. Along the way I picked up affinities for the viola, harpsichord, organ, and singing in choirs as a tenor whenever possible. It’s safe to say that my “nerdiness” knows no bounds. Much like the universe of stars and galaxies that I’ve been similarly obsessed with for as long as I can remember.
In early college, I actually came in with the intent to get dual degrees in both piano performance and physics, to then go on and pursue astronomy and astrophysics more in depth. However, after my mental health took a steep dive, it became clear that astronomy would only remain a hobby for the foreseeable future. I didn’t truthfully take into account that I attempted completing two of the hardest programs at the same time! But even this isn’t the full reason why I decided to stick with piano.
At age 16, I suddenly became very ill. Despite doing everything “right” like exercising and eating mostly whole foods, I was still betrayed by my own flesh. These days I’m still figuring out answers but I cannot deny anymore the fact that I have to identify as disabled and chronically ill. Being a pianist doesn’t necessarily mix well with that. I’ve found ways to make it easier for myself, like taking more practice breaks to address fatigue, or using finger braces over my knuckles to combat the hypermobility from my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (“EDS”).
I continued pursuing an artistic career because there aren’t many folks like me in the field. I continue doing classical music so that other Black, disabled non-men in the world can look at me and think, “I can do that too!” and destroy the elitist establishment while they’re at it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I stated before, being a Black disabled pianist in a field dominated by centuries-old canon is not an easy feat. The last few years have become a personal focus on bringing more underrepresented and “lost” voices to the forefront. However, I still love and obsess over many pieces and some well-known composers–it’s truly a balancing act. I’m just as likely to rave over a Gregorian chant as I am for anything else. I would say I’m most proud of my recent master’s recital that took place in March 2023. In that performance I cultivated a nature-inspired experience using PowerPoint visuals that went along with my music. I pulled from a few different sources: water, snow, and even astronomy! The final set on that recital was a multi-movement work featuring our Solar System, written in 2020. What could have been more perfect for me, a space lover turned musician?
Nothing worth doing is easy. There were many points both in my undergraduate and graduate careers where I felt it would make more sense to just give up and drop out. The ongoing pandemic hasn’t made anything easier out of college, either. So, instead of trying to ruin myself by holding myself to unattainable, able-bodied standards, I doubled down into accepting my neurodivergence and newly-present disabilities. This way, I could be realistic with how much I can give of myself to various gigs and opportunities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m still new to downtown Denver, but I already have some good spots on the rare occasion that I have the spoons to leave the house! I’m vegan, so any food spot is going to have to accommodate my irritating food allergies. Watercourse, The CakeBar on 13th, Wellness Sushi, and VooDoo Doughnuts are always a 10/10 for me.
The Botanic Gardens are gorgeous at any time of the year. I’d also take people to the Museum of Nature and Science and the Art Museum, each as their own day-long adventure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to: My family who put up with the infinite recitals and noisy practice sessions; my vegan activist community at Pro-Animal Future where I’ve found so many connections (including the lovely Phoenix Huber who recommended me for this opportunity!); my professors at Lawrence University and University of Colorado-Boulder who got me to the level of confidence in my playing that I have now; every disabled person I’ve ever met; and my tight circle of beautiful nerds that I’ve maintained for the last 6-7 years: Susie Francy, Dante Taylor Blackson, Reily McGee, and my wonderful partner Cole Stofflet.

Instagram: @halleys_comet7561

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-braynen-5223591b2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloe.braynen/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@cadebraynen8427