Who we are

Award-winning composer Karl Pettersen has performed and composed music since childhood. A classically trained competitive pianist since the age of four, Karl was on the path to become a professional pianist in his teenage years, but opted instead for a wider range of emotional exploration. Karl is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, and has performed solo, in bands, and with a jazz quartet in the US and Europe.

His musical compositions are anchored in the lived experience of emotion, and incorporate influences from classical symphonic palettes, big band, electronica, jazz, and pop. His pieces are impressionistic, moving, and singular.

A recognized leader in the field of sustainability and energy transition, as well as a former competitive dancer, and a teacher of martial arts for over twenty years, Karl brings true vulnerability, strength, defiance, and hope to his music.

Karl was awarded Best Original Score for Mexican feature film “La Pura Vida” at the Valle de Guadalupe Film Festival, and in 2024 scored the feature length film “Pégame”, also in Mexico. Explore this site to hear excerpts from these soundtracks as well as Karl’s other musical pieces.