ABOUT

With playing described as “fierce” and “deliciously sinister” (I Care if You Listen), pianist Marissa Kerbel has quickly made a name for herself in the Chicago music scene. As a soloist, she has premiered works by Amy Wurtz, Laura Adkins, Adam Kennaugh, Vicki Milewski, and Paul Scherer. She has been the featured as a soloist in J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (Civic Orchestra of Chicago, 2023 and 2024) and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals (LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, 2025). Marissa’s debut album, In 24 Years: The Music of Lili Boulanger (2023) is the first complete recording of Lili Boulanger’s works for piano and small chamber ensemble. 

In addition to her solo activities, Marissa is a passionate performer of chamber music and orchestral keyboard. As a founding member of OLEA Ensemble, she aims to create new and accessible chamber music experiences. OLEA has commissioned new works by Owen Hopper, Brad Balliett, Shane Scott Cook, Christopher Jessup, Jacy Pedersen, and Annie Barr McAllister. Marissa currently serves as Principal Keyboard of the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra and was previously Interim Principal Keyboard of the Britt Festival Orchestra (Summer 2025). From 2022-2025 Marissa was an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, performing several orchestral and chamber concerts with the ensemble each season. Other previous orchestral engagements include the Chicago, Milwaukee, Illinois, Missouri, Sioux City, Richmond, and Lima Symphony Orchestras.

When not performing, Marissa loves spending time with her dog Lili, discovering new vegan recipes, and getting out into nature.