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Keeping Chris' legacy of music and learning alive

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On June 29, 2021, my brother, Christopher R. Volpe, died suddenly at the age of 40. Chris was a funny, creative, intelligent, and sensitive artist, brother, son, uncle, and friend. His family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues miss him deeply.
 
Our mom, Rose Volpe, and I are raising funds in partnership with Incarnate Word Academy (IWA), a K - 8 Catholic school in Parma Hts., Ohio, that Chris and I both attended. We're raising money to help create the Christopher R. Volpe Music Lab as a tribute to his passion for music and learning.
 
During his brief career, Chris won more than 20 awards for his music in the US and abroad, including an Independent Music Award for "Album of the Year" in 2006. His music has been featured on NPR's New Music series and PBS's Roadtrip Nation and he played at many festivals including SXSW. He also taught himself how to play several instruments, including guitar, bass, piano, banjo, pedal steel, and sitar.
 
 
IWA will be transforming its current music room into a state-of-the-art music lab where students can take lessons, practice, and hang out after school while discovering new instruments, jamming, and making friends -- activities that capture Chris' spirit. Specifically, funds will go toward:
  • Acoustic flooring
  • Wenger chairs, instrument storage cabinets, and cello rack
  • Clevertouch interactive board
  • New sound system & keyboard
  • Audio/video recording equipment
  • Acoustic paneling
  • Pictures of students performing to adorn the walls
  • Repainting of the room and new window coverings
  • Interior and exterior signage to denote the Christopher R. Volpe Music Lab
At IWA, Chris (class of '95) developed a love of learning and life-long friendships. It's also where his high aptitude for mathematics and music were first discovered. The Sisters of the Incarnate Word have been of great comfort and support to our family and many others throughout the years, especially during our time of grieving for Chris as well as our dad, Robert, who died as a result of COVID-19 in February 2021.
 
We are honored to help create this tribute to Chris while also supporting IWA and generations of students who will have the opportunity to explore and develop a love for music. The total cost for the music lab will be greater than $30,000 and construction is set to begin in summer 2022. We appreciate any contribution you are able to give.
 
 
More about Chris
Chris was born on August 29, 1980, in Cleveland, Ohio. His unique view of the world and astonishing creativity were evident early on. He spoke in metaphors at a young age and made up his own words and eventually his own language. At IWA, he excelled in math, music, and language arts. All three of these disciplines converged when he first picked up a guitar at age 15 and immediately started writing songs with intricate melodies and poetic lyrics.
 
Chris attended high school at both Holy Name and Midpark, and graduated from Kent State University with degrees in communications and philosophy, all the while developing his music and performing skills. After graduating from college, he traveled and busked across Europe, and lived and played music in Washington, DC, New York City, San Francisco, and Nashville.
 
Over the years, he played with many renowned producers and musicians, including Alex DePue, Jeff Coffin, Donnie Heron, Kenny Malone, and Bryn Davies. He returned to the Cleveland area in 2010 and continued to write, perform, and produce his own and others’ music via two companies he started, Pedal Steel Laboratory and Lightning Bolt Productions. In addition to being a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, he was also a successful mortgage loan consultant.
 
In his eulogy, my husband, Christian Kohler, described Chris to a tee: "He marched to beats and heard melodies that nobody else could hear."
 
You can find Chris' music on all streaming platforms and you can learn more about him on Wikipedia.
 



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Donations 

  • Christina Lee Sarson
    • $20 
    • 1 yr
  • Ron & Lisa Kopco
    • $100 
    • 1 yr
  • Brandi Schwartz
    • $50 
    • 2 yrs
  • Sophia Boettcher
    • $100 
    • 2 yrs
  • Donna Glover
    • $8 
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer

Michelle Volpe-Kohler
Organizer
Rocky River, OH

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