Keep the Music Alive in Colorado: Support Jonathan’s Creative Space

Jonathan Kipp is not just a musician. He is someone who has dedicated his life to sound, culture, and community. A percussionist, accordionist, and skilled repairman, Jonathan has spent years studying and performing music from around the world, from jazz and orchestral percussion to Balkan, Turkish, and Arabic traditions. His path has taken him across stages, workshops, and communities, but like so many artists, passion alone has not been enough to sustain him.

Since moving to Colorado, Jonathan has continued to perform with multiple bands while working physically demanding jobs just to get by. This is the reality for many musicians today. The cost of living continues to rise, opportunities shrink, and the spaces that once supported artists are disappearing. In just the past year, Colorado has lost beloved venues like the Mercury Cafe, Herman’s Hideaway, Tennyson’s Tap, and the Soiled Dove. Each closure is not just a business shutting down, it is a piece of our cultural identity fading away.

Jonathan is working to build something different. He wants to create a small accordion repair shop and creative space, a place where instruments are cared for, where musicians can rehearse, record, and collaborate, and where community can be rebuilt through music. Accordion repair is a rare skill, with fewer than 50 specialists nationwide, and keeping that knowledge alive matters.

Our aim is to raise $15,000 by May 2027 to help make this possible. These funds will cover three months of rent, business registration, and the tools and equipment needed to open the space.

This is about more than one artist. It is about choosing to keep music alive in Colorado. It is about choosing community in a time when things feel uncertain and difficult. When you give, even a small amount, you are helping ensure that artists like Jonathan can stay, create, and continue giving back.

If we do not show up for our artists now, we risk losing them. And once they are gone, we do not get them back.

6.5% Cover the Fee

All funds raised through this campaign will be managed by Musique Pour La Paix and used exclusively to support the project and related expenses outlined above. A small portion of each donation may be deducted for payment processing fees by Stripe, which are outside of our control.