Community Partner: Free the Music

Meet Hudson Colletti of Free the Music – a Craft Your Music partner celebrating artists and musicians in the Pittsburgh area through inspirational and impromptu music making!

Free the Music is a not-for-profit social good initiative which places gently used, beautifully painted pianos out in the public for all to hear and play. All pianos are donated by local members of the community, then each is partnered with an artist that will transform it into a work of art. Upon approval to place each in a public setting, the pianos are transported and tuned in their new location. The instruments are then available for use by anyone and everyone. People share their love for music, reconnect with a joy of their past, and learn to play with the new access to a piano.  

This project was dreamed up by Hudson Colletti, who has played the piano for 13 years. On a trip to the annual Montreal Jazz Festival, he found similarly painted pianos on street corners, train stations, and in restaurants. After playing one, he realized the opportunity to spread this love back home in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

Free the Music has since placed multiple pianos in locations ranging from streets, apartment buildings, movie theaters, and restaurants to currently partnering with the Pittsburgh International Airport. Listen out for CYM Young Artists and Music Ambassadors who pop up tp perform regularly on FTM’s breathtakingly beautiful instruments.

Hudson is currently a college freshman at Pomona College studying economics. He believes music is fundamental in creating community, so spreading this love for piano will bring people together. Whether you are a professional pianist or simply enjoy listening to a tune, he wants to connect everyone through the common language of music.  

To meet others who love music and are excited about supporting Hudson’s vision, go to https://freethemusicpgh.org/ . Your involvement will be cherished as volunteer who watches over a local piano or holds a fundraising event for the cause!