Help Us Record “Rumpelstiltskin Meets Mozart”, the Symphony

Once upon a time, there was a violinist named Belinda Stohner and a composer named Oscar Bustillo. One day, Belinda asked, “How can we make classical music more approachable and accessible without watering it down?” And from that spark, Rumpelstiltskin Meets Mozart was born.

In 2016, we brought Rumpelstiltskin Meets Mozart to life: a musical adventure performed by an orchestra and guided by a lively narrator. Inspired by classics like Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and whimsical cartoons like Tom & Jerry, this fairy tale presents classical music in a way that’s both fun and easy to understand. Using the enchanting notes of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, we underscore the drama of the Brothers Grimm’s Rumpelstiltskin. This year, we teamed up with award-winning animator and filmmaker Karla Caprali to create a 13-minute animated short filled with stunning visuals reminiscent of classic fairy tale illustrations.

Why Do We Need This?

There’s a common misconception that classical music is boring, that it all sounds the same, or that it's simply background noise for studying and relaxation. Rumpelstiltskin Meets Mozart proves otherwise—showing just how dynamic and exciting classical music can be. Our story’s featured piece focuses on a single Mozart symphony, and by the end, listeners will know and appreciate each section in a way they never have before. Even seasoned classical music fans will experience Symphony No. 40 in a completely new light.

By helping us record this project, you’ll be part of a movement to rekindle a love for classical music, strengthen music education, and cultivate future audiences for symphony performances.

Why Do We Need Your Help?

Until now, we’ve only been able to perform a scaled-back version of the piece with a string quartet or a small string orchestra. Do you know how expensive it is to hire a full symphony orchestra? A lot! But now we’re ready to take Rumpelstiltskin Meets Mozart to the next level, a short animation and the full sound it deserves—winds, brass, and everything in between. Unfortunately, without a demo or proper promotional materials, it’s difficult to convince major orchestras to take a chance on unknown artists.

That’s where you come in. With your support, we can raise enough funds to record, mix, and master the music with narration. This animated film will not only be pitched to producers and distributors for wide release but will also serve as a powerful promotional tool to attract symphony orchestras for family and educational programming around the world.

Why Now?

We know there’s a demand for Rumpelstiltskin Meets Mozart. Prestigious institutions like the Pérez Art Museum, the Arsht Center, the Miami Book Fair, and Orchestra Miami have all invited us to perform this piece. The string quartet version has been purchased online numerous times and has even been performed in both English and Chinese in Asia. The world wants to see it. We just need your help to make it happen!

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference—even if it’s just $2.

Contributors at different levels will receive a THANK YOU gift:

$100 Postcard sized original and numbered print by artist Karla Caprali and your name will appear in the film credits

$250 Original and numbered large print art by artist Karla Caprali and your name will receive its own frame in the film credits

$600 An original composition by Oscar Bustillo based on your name

$2,000+ sit in and watch the recording session remotely