SHORT BIO
Henry Koperski is a composer, writer, and music director based out of Los Angeles. He has composed for stage and screen, and has scores and songs featured on Netflix, Audible and Showtime. The New York Times has called him “the connective tissue” of the NYC music/comedy scene (where he performed regularly from 2012-2020). As a music director, he often works with Alan Cumming, Ari Shapiro, Matt Rogers and Matteo Lane. He records his own music under the artist name, "Henki Skidu” (his most recent album “LUCIA” is available on all streaming platforms). In addition to piano, he professionally performs and records on saxophone and accordion. His saxophone playing is featured on Troye Sivan’s 2023 song “How To Stay With You.” He has appeared on The Late Show with Seth Meyers, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and performs in the feature film, “Paper Spiders” starring Lili Taylor. He has also written over a dozen theme songs for chart-topping podcasts including Las Culturistas, Seek Treatment, and Inside the Closet. He has written and performed two solo shows in NYC, “Halo Pop” and “Magic Elf Lord”, both directed by Michael Pesce.
long bio
Henry was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. His mother, coloratura soprano, Diane Penning gave him an early appreciation for music and art, beginning with piano lessons around age 4. Growing up, Henry took music very seriously, as he studied piano, saxophone, and bassoon, and later competed in festivals and competitions across the state.
Henry double-majored in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Classical Bassoon Performance at Western Michigan University (rated as one of the top 10 jazz programs in the country) and graduated with a Bachelors in Music. He participated in 11 different university ensembles, including Gold Company, the internationally renowned vocal jazz group, led by Steve Zegree.
After graduating, Henry moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a career in music. As a pianist he quickly began playing piano for cabaret and theater, and as a saxophonist performing with a variety of different bands of many genres.
In 2013, Henry took comedy improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade. He quickly became involved with the NYC comedy community as a music director, accompanist, and composer.
From 2014-2018, Henry worked as an accompanist and piano bar pianist at venues all over the city, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Club Cumming, Town Hall, Joe’s Pub and many more (see list below). He has music directed hundreds of cabarets, comedy shows, concerts, and more in NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, and other North American cities. He also did six sold-out performances of his solo show “Halo Pop” at The Duplex, and recently debuted his new show “Magic Elf Lord” at Joe’s Pub, both directed by Michael Pesce.
In 2021, Henry moved to Los Angeles, CA. He still frequently performs and collaborates with Larry Owens, Matt Rogers, Greta Titelman and Matteo Lane. He music directs and performs with film and TV star Alan Cumming, NPR's Ari Shapiro and English supermodel Karen Elson.
He co-composed, music directed, arranged and played all the music for Catherine Cohen’s show “The Twist… She’s Gorgeous” which won “Best Newcomer” at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, and is now a Netflix special, coming out March 15, 2022.
He co-composed, music directed and arranged the music for Matt Rogers’ show “Have You Heard of Christmas” which is available to stream on Showtime. Look forward to a full album of this show next December (2023)!
He records his own music under the artist name, "Henki Skidu." He released an EP (Nightwalk) in March 2022, and released a full album "(LUCIA) on December 27, 2022.
In addition to piano, he professionally performs and records on saxophone and accordion. He has appeared on The Late Show with Seth Meyers, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and performs in the feature film, “Paper Spiders” starring Lili Taylor. He has written and performed two solo shows, “Halo Pop” and “Magic Elf Lord”, both directed by Michael Pesce.