Live entertainment
Michael Schmuker
Pianist
Michael Schmuker brings a refined, instrumental piano style to Christner’s, creating music that is relaxing, soothing, and elegant. Drawing from a wide-ranging repertoire that spans classical standards, Billy Joel, Beethoven, The Beatles, and favorites from the ’70s and ’80s, Michael focuses on familiar melodies that complement the dining experience without overpowering it. For him, the goal is simple: to provide an ambiance that enhances the exquisite dining experience at Christner’s.
My role is to enhance the dining experience, not compete with it. Most people are there to enjoy a wonderful meal and have a nice conversation with the people they’re with. I want the piano to create an elegant atmosphere around that. My job is to provide an ambiance that complements the exquisite dining experience at Christner’s.— Michael Schmuker
In his own words
Q&A with Michael
What do you see as your role as a pianist at Christner’s?
“My role is to enhance the dining experience, not compete with it. Most people are there to enjoy a wonderful meal and have a nice conversation with the people they’re with. I want the piano to create an elegant atmosphere around that. I’m not there to show off or impress people—my job is to provide an ambiance that complements the exquisite dining experience at Christner’s.”
How would you describe the atmosphere you try to create when you play?
“I try to create something relaxing, soothing and elegant. Alice once told me that she likes the way I play because the ambiance of my music matches the food and the overall experience at Christner’s. People come here for fine dining and a special evening, so I want the music to feel like a natural part of that experience.”
What makes your style different from some of the other pianists guests might hear at Christner’s?
“I’m completely instrumental, which makes me a little different. I can sing, and I’ll certainly sing along with the room if everybody gets going on something like ‘Sweet Caroline,’ but I don’t use a microphone or make vocals part of my performance. People don’t come to hear me sing; they come to hear me play piano. I really focus on what I can do with the instrument and let the piano speak for itself.”
When you play a familiar song, how do you make it your own while still giving people the version they know and love?
“I’m pretty strict about playing the recognizable parts of a song the way people remember them, especially the intro. I want those first few notes to immediately connect with somebody and make them think, ‘Oh, I know this song.’ Once they’ve locked into it, I can improvise and embellish things a little more. That gives me room to put some of myself into the performance without losing what people loved about the song in the first place.”
Why are the opening notes of a song so important to the way you perform?
“A great piano intro immediately connects people to a song. If I play ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel, for example, I want to play that intro the way Billy Joel plays it because people recognize it right away. The same is true with songs like ‘Piano Man’ or ‘Your Song.’ Those opening notes trigger something. People lock in, recognize the song and have that feeling of familiarity before you’ve even gotten very far into it.”
I try to create something relaxing, soothing and elegant. Alice once told me that she likes the way I play because the ambiance of my music matches the food and the overall experience at Christner’s. People come here for fine dining and a special evening, so I want the music to feel like a natural part of that experience.— Michael Schmuker
More About Michael
What do you see as your role as a pianist at Christner’s?
“My role is to enhance the dining experience, not compete with it. Most people are there to enjoy a wonderful meal and have a nice conversation with the people they’re with. I want the piano to create an elegant atmosphere around that. I’m not there to show off or impress people—my job is to provide an ambiance that complements the exquisite dining experience at Christner’s.”
How would you describe the atmosphere you try to create when you play?
“I try to create something relaxing, soothing and elegant. Alice once told me that she likes the way I play because the ambiance of my music matches the food and the overall experience at Christner’s. People come here for fine dining and a special evening, so I want the music to feel like a natural part of that experience.”
I’m completely instrumental, which makes me a little different. I can sing, and I’ll certainly sing along with the room if everybody gets going on something like ‘Sweet Caroline,’ but I don’t make vocals part of my performance. People don’t come to hear me sing; they come to hear me play piano. I really focus on what I can do with the instrument and let the piano speak for itself.— Michael Schmuker
Live music at Christner’s
Meet our entertainers
A talented lineup bringing warmth, music, and personality to the dining room.
