Help Joseph Heal & Reclaim His Music

Hi everyone!

Joseph just turned 40, (officially over the hill now!) and I’d love to give him a meaningful surprise—something made possible by the love and generosity of the people who care about him and who’ve been moved by his music.

My name is Kaley, and I’ve started a GoFundMe in honor of someone truly special—Joseph Cardillo. Joseph is not only the most loving father to his four children and a wonderful life partner, he’s also an extraordinary piano composer who shares his work under the name "Vontmer." His music has touched thousands of hearts around the world. If you read the comments on his TikTok or Instagram, you’ll see the outpouring of messages from people saying how his music has helped them—through grief, illness, anxiety, or just getting through a hard day. One person even wrote to say they played his piano piece while their parent was passing. His compositions are THAT powerful. That’s the kind of impact he has.

For the last 2.5 years, Joseph has selflessly taken care of me as I faced one of the hardest times of my life. After getting COVID in 2022, I began experiencing severe neurological issues that led to three surgeries (with a fourth pending). He's been there for me through over 100 medical appointments, including doctor visits, scans, tests, surgeries, and therapy sessions. Through all of it, Joseph never once complained. He brought me coffee in bed, prepared almost every meal I ate—the list of kindness is endless. He showed up every day, taking care of me—hand and foot—with unwavering love, strength, and patience.

Now, top all of that with the duties that come along with being a full-time father to four kiddos, all still in grade school, and working a full-time job to support us all.

Now, it’s Joseph who needs a little care.

He’s developed a wrist injury that’s become severe enough that he has to stop playing his beloved piano after just a few minutes. A doctor’s appointment is scheduled, but for now—we’re in waiting. This is devastating for someone whose deepest calling in life is to compose and share music. Joseph is loved by over 120,000 followers on TikTok and several thousand more on Instagram. Joseph posted a quick video last week, and the comment section was filling with messages and the sentiment of "we miss your music".

So here’s my birthday wish for Joseph:

With your help, I’d love to surprise Joseph with:

Funds to hire help to complete several projects that require very physically demanding work that Joseph took on for our family.

And—if we dare to dream— a backyard music studio – a peaceful space just steps from home where he can create, record, and return to the music that means everything to him—and to so many others. We have the perfect spot picked out… we just need help making it real.

I wish I could give all this to him myself, but I don’t have the physical or financial ability right now. That’s why I’m reaching out to our friends, family, and anyone who’s ever been touched by Joseph’s music or story. Let’s help him heal, create, and dream again.

All funds will go directly to Joseph and his care, so he can focus less on physical strain and more on what he was meant to do—bring peace and joy to others through music.

Here you can watch and listen to Joseph and his beautiful music. From the private corner of our little world, Joseph would so often play live online, allowing people from all over the world the ability to listen and find a bit of calm in a very chaotic world.

https://youtu.be/CiBXIaFlbqg?si=UVRLzG93ZP-WvFQZ

Thank you so much for reading and for being part of this.

—Kaley