About Brian

Brian Rasmussen is a composer, singer, and pianist whose vibrant and eclectic work has captured audiences from nightclubs to the concert stage. He is best known for his original musical Twihard: A Twilight Musical Parody, co-created with book and lyrics by Tiffany Keane-Schaefer. Brian’s music has been celebrated by critics and fans alike. The Chicago Tribune praised his Twihard score as “musically gorgeous” and noted, “...there’s a surprising amount of heart in Twihard, thanks in no small part to this music. Songs like ‘The Lion and the Lamb’... soar in a way you’d expect from a Broadway musical number. Rasmussen bounces between Broadway ballads, tap numbers, and spoken word/rap effortlessly,” capturing the dynamic range he brings to his compositions.

With a wide array of influences, Rasmussen is known for his unique style of harmonic complexity, coupled with catchy melodies and a quirky flair. He has studied composition with Dr. Paul Lombardi and Dr. Kyong Mee Choi and has premiered multiple works over the years, including art songs, his song cycle Confessions from the Chaise Longue, and his award-winning String Quintet in E Minor.

In addition to composing, Rasmussen is an accomplished operatic tenor and actor. Most recently, he starred as the lead role of Ugly in the world premiere of Wet Dirt by Collin Kemeny with Thompson Street Opera Company. He also appeared as Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, where he was praised by the Hyde Park Herald as “hilarious...never failed to inspire a smile.” Additional credits include Bastien in Bastien und Bastienne, Ensemble in Die Kathrin, Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, and Barigoule in Cendrillon. In 2021, he played himself and Carmen in Michael Ching’s virtual opera Zoom Speed Dating Tonight, premiering the piece “Open to Flaws” as his drag persona, Carmen Price. Beyond the opera stage, Rasmussen has played roles in musical theatre and plays, including Tommy in The Normal Heart, John Utterson in Jekyll and Hyde, and Miss Deep South in Pageant. In 2024, he was thrilled to join the Grant Park Chorus as Supplemental Chorus.

Rasmussen holds degrees in music from Roosevelt University (M.M. - Vocal Performance) and the University of South Dakota (B.M. - Music Education and Vocal Performance). Upcoming projects include a chamber opera with Keane-Schaefer, a new musical, and a continued run of Twihard at Otherworld Theatre.