Chris Hepola
Piano, Drums
Chris Hepola is a Minneapolis-based drummer, pianist, and composer who works across genres and disciplines. He has performed throughout North America and Europe, from small clubs to major venues like Lincoln Center, the Newport Folk Festival, the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and Bush Hall in London.
Chris curates and leads several genre-blending groups, including The Poor Nobodys, House on Fire Band and The Real Chuck Norad. He also works with local favorites including the Brass Messengers, Dreamland Faces, Paul Fonfara, Joan Hutton and Cody Steinmann. Along the way, he has worked with artists such as The Cactus Blossoms, Dark Dark Dark, Cornbread Harris, Dan Chouinard, Zack Harris and many others.
As a composer and music director, Chris has created original scores for theater and film, with work featured at Joe’s Pub in New York, Tricklock Theater in Albuquerque, the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, and the ITSelF Festival in Warsaw, Poland. His film scores have been commissioned by Syncopated Silents, the Minnesota History Center, Sound Unseen, the Twin Cities Horror Festival, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Chris also brings a strong background in music education. A parent of two young children himself, he values the creativity and insight that come from working with youth. He spent over a decade teaching private drum and piano lessons. He continues to engage with students through clinics and collaborative projects. Recent educational work includes clinics at the St. Paul Conservatory and Hope Academy, as well as a 2023 performance project with students and community members at Carleton College in partnership with Jenna Wyse and Sod House Theater. Whether writing, directing, teaching, or performing, Chris brings an inventive and collaborative spirit to every project.
Chris holds an Associate’s Degree in Music Performance from McNally Smith College of Music and is currently completing his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Augsburg University.
Chris curates and leads several genre-blending groups, including The Poor Nobodys, House on Fire Band and The Real Chuck Norad. He also works with local favorites including the Brass Messengers, Dreamland Faces, Paul Fonfara, Joan Hutton and Cody Steinmann. Along the way, he has worked with artists such as The Cactus Blossoms, Dark Dark Dark, Cornbread Harris, Dan Chouinard, Zack Harris and many others.
As a composer and music director, Chris has created original scores for theater and film, with work featured at Joe’s Pub in New York, Tricklock Theater in Albuquerque, the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, and the ITSelF Festival in Warsaw, Poland. His film scores have been commissioned by Syncopated Silents, the Minnesota History Center, Sound Unseen, the Twin Cities Horror Festival, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Chris also brings a strong background in music education. A parent of two young children himself, he values the creativity and insight that come from working with youth. He spent over a decade teaching private drum and piano lessons. He continues to engage with students through clinics and collaborative projects. Recent educational work includes clinics at the St. Paul Conservatory and Hope Academy, as well as a 2023 performance project with students and community members at Carleton College in partnership with Jenna Wyse and Sod House Theater. Whether writing, directing, teaching, or performing, Chris brings an inventive and collaborative spirit to every project.
Chris holds an Associate’s Degree in Music Performance from McNally Smith College of Music and is currently completing his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Augsburg University.