Taylor Swift's Pianist 'Could Not Believe' the Star Let Her Play a Solo During the Eras Tour: 'What a Journey'

Taylor Swift’s piano player is reflecting on the most memorable part of her time on the Eras Tour.

Karina DePiano played the keys for Swift from the start of the tour in March 2023 to its grand finale in Vancouver on Dec. 8 — and singled out one special moment in a tribute she shared on Instagram.

“Last year I was given the incredible opportunity to play a solo ahead of our performance of ‘Tolerate It’ — and on top of that, @taylorswift introduced me to the crowd with all her grace each and every night,” DePiano wrote on Instagram.

The musician was a fan favorite on the tour, as she played a haunting melody on the piano each night before Swift, 34, performed “Tolerate It,” off her 2020 album Evermore. The song was ultimately cut from the setlist earlier this year to make room for tracks off Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department.

Related: Taylor Swift's Longtime Bass Player Writes Emotional Note About Grueling Eras Tour: 'I've Emerged Changed'

DePiano wrote that the whole experience was surreal for her as a classically trained pianist.

“I could not believe this moment was built into a pop show, THE pop show, and that I was a part of it,” she wrote. “The messages and love I’ve received around the tolerate it intro have been nothing but kind, inspiring and full of joy.”

She concluded her message by thanking fans who had posted their own versions of the solo to social media.

“It’s so beautiful to hear it on pianos across the world. Keep on creating, making, expressing… I will too,” she wrote. “What a journey this has been, the memories, the magic, the hardships, the seismic shifts, friendships, family. thank you. THAAANGKYEWW 🤍🎹”

Alongside her message, DePiano included a video of Swift introducing her onstage, which kicked off a montage of special Eras Tour moments set to her “Tolerate It” solo.

Related: Some of Taylor Swift's Band Members and Backup Singers Have Been by Her Side for Decades — Meet the Musicians

“I want to introduce you now to someone who I am so fortunate to get to play with every single night of this tour. She is my keys player. Will you please make some noise for Karina DePiano?” Swift says in the clip.

DePiano appeared in Swift’s 2021 music video for “I Bet You Think About Me,” and has performed and toured with stars like Troye Sivan, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo and more.

The pop superstar gave out $197 million in bonuses to everyone working on her tour during her nearly two years on the road, including truck drivers, caterers, instrument techs, merch team, lighting, sound, production staff and assistants, carpenters, dancers, band, security, choreographers, pyrotechnics, riggers, hair, make-up, wardrobe, physical therapists and video team, PEOPLE exclusively reported.

The Eras Tour ended its run as the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.

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