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Pianist Brad Hanson plays the piano at NorthPark Center, Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n
Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Shoppers of all ages pass through the main area of NorthPark Center<\/a> on July 23. Amid the laughter and sporadic conversation, Julia Andersson\u2019s \u201cSv\u00e4var<\/a>” ricochets through the tall, open ceilings.\u00a0<\/p>\n With his eyes partially closed, pianist Brad Hanson sways back and forth on the bench positioned in front of a black Steinway piano, serenading shoppers with the song\u2019s soft melody, stopping some shoppers in their tracks.\u00a0<\/p>\n The live music brought Brittany Doreen to tears, forcing her to take a seat on a nearby bench. Tears streaming down her face, she said she\u2019s a songwriter who had a traumatic childhood, so hearing music like this means everything to her.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cStirring an emotion in somebody means the most to me,\u201d Hanson said. \u201cThat level of impact is cool for me because that’s how it makes me feel. I get emotional listening to music, and I want to replicate that and be someone who can purvey that kind of experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Beloved by shoppers and employees, Hanson is celebrating 18 years as\u00a0NorthPark\u2019s resident pianist in August. He was unsure of the job at first, but has since become an admirable figure in the mall and someone people call a friend.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Two major Dallas performing arts groups announce merger<\/a><\/p>\n Growing up with two parents as church musicians, Hanson\u2019s journey as a pianist began as a child playing at Park Central Baptist Church in Dallas every Sunday. He later played in a worship band at Criswell College, but \u201cnever dreamed it would go beyond that.\u201d<\/p>\n Pianist Brad Hanson plays the piano at NorthPark Center, Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Billy Hines, NorthPark\u2019s longtime general manager, was a church member and recruited him to play at the mall at 22-years-old. Hines, who has since passed away, enjoyed Hanson\u2019s music and was looking for another pianist for the mall after the previous one left.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The nationally-known mall has long prioritized displaying art for shoppers through landscaping, art collections and musicians such as Hanson.<\/p>\n \u201cNorthPark is a beautiful place to be because of all these small touches and things that we’re able to provide for our customers,\u201d said Shelby Foster, NorthPark director of communications. \u201cThe surprise and delight of coming by on the weekend and seeing Brad here, doing his thing and playing the piano, it just makes it a nice, lovely place to meet.\u201d<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0<\/a>NorthPark Center attracts several brands for first D-FW locations<\/a><\/p>\n Hanson began his residency at the mall after much convincing from his wife, he said. He doubted his ability at first.<\/p>\n \u201cI really had no idea what I was doing except playing the things I loved like Jurassic Park and \u2018The Dance\u2019 by Garth Brooks,\u201d Hanson said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Pianist Brad Hanson plays the piano at NorthPark Center, Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n When he started \u00a0his residency, Hanson played radio hits from artists like Adele and Taylor Swift until that started to feel empty, he said.<\/p>\n Hanson wanted to develop his technical skills and play music with more depth, so he began playing neoclassical music from composers such as Ludovico Einaudi and Yann Tiersen.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ve gotten darker, I’ve gotten older too, a little tired-er,\u201d Hanson said. \u201cSo I’m playing more moody, darker stuff. I think it resonates with people, honestly. It’s emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Review: Three pianists rewarded in Dallas Chamber Symphony competition<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n While Hanson has certain pieces he likes to play, he\u2019s also open to requests. He says people usually ask him to play songs like \u201cRush E\u201d by Sheet Music Boss and \u201cGolden Hour\u201d by JVKE, or music from the Interstellar and Charlie Brown soundtracks. He adores playing Christmas music, but despises jazz.<\/p>\n When NorthPark was forced to close during the pandemic, Hanson felt lost and depressed, he said, so he found a way to connect with shoppers virtually through livestreaming at-home concerts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pianist Brad Hanson plays the piano at NorthPark Center, Thursday, July 23, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n \u201cThe emotions of joy, peace, calm or comfort \u2013 that’s the best thing to create,\u201d Hanson said. \u201cI just imagine someone sitting here closing their eyes and just feeling it. I love that because that’s what I like to do.\u201d<\/p>\n From NorthPark employees and regulars to mailmen, people go out of their way to not only hear Hanson\u2019s music, but also catch up with him.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Jane Beaver is from Dallas and has been going to NorthPark since it opened in 1965. She calls the mall \u201cher neighborhood.\u201d She uses it as her walking route four days a week, always stopping to say hello to Hanson, sometimes even teasing him, she said. \u201cWhen he\u2019s not there, I miss it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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