Kyle Rappe
percussionist | composer
short bio
Kyle Rappe is a percussionist and composer with a passion for creating music that has depth, while still remaining grounded and accessible. Pulling inspiration from a myriad of sources both classical, jazz, and otherwise, his works cover the full breadth of emotion and encourage listeners to reflect on their relationship with society, the self, and the natural world. As a performer, he prides himself in his versatility, comfortable being anything from the timpanist in an orchestra to a drummer in a band.
Kyle received his Bachelor’s degree in percussion performance from Juilliard in 2024, and his Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music in 2026. He is currently based out of New Haven, CT.
Latest Recording!
‘It Comes in Waves’ is a duet for piano and percussion written originally in 2023 and revised in 2025.
Program Notes:
Waves take on various forms and sizes, some gently ripple while others crash violently. Despite the differing forms they take, they all return to the sea in due time. Myself, often mesmerized by the waves coming in, I’ve somehow found humanity in them. We are born, we find our form, we leave our mark, and we ultimately return to the sea. I’ve found both solace and beauty in this notion, as it means that all things will eventually subside– whether that be joy, depression, love, grief, or any of the other hallmarks of life. But the waves are still beautiful, and we can cherish them while they are here.