Under the Big Top

Little Tarantella, composed by Jenny Walker, mimics the Italian style of folk dance that has an upbeat, triple time tempo accompanied by tambourines. This lively solo is ideal for advancing intermediates of all ages.

Beethoven’s familiar two-note theme is used throughout this evenly-leveled piano duet by Dolce Dolls team Marcia Benson and Heidi Hansen in unexpected ways. This showcase piece is ideal for early intermediates and up.

Inner Turmoil is a fury-filled, fast and flashy advanced showcase piano solo by Canadian composer, Lisa Frederick. Perfect for teens looking for an impressive spotlight solo for their next performance.

This slightly sinister stride duet by Stacy Fahrion incorporates a few simplified snippets of Chopin’s Etude in A Minor, Op. 10, No. 2.

Chaos by Lisa Frederick is the perfect showcase solo piece for your students who are begging for fast and flashy minor-key pieces. Ideal for late intermediates of all ages, this will be a hit at your next recital!

Double Trouble is a book of unique duets by Stacy Fahrion. This book gives pianists opportunities to experiment with blues improvisation and extended techniques. It includes showy pieces in odd meters, several wild boogies, a melancholy lyrical waltz, and, of course, a tarantella that has Itsy Bitsy Spider surreptitiously woven into it. Most of the pieces are based in minor keys, modal, or use the double harmonic major scale.

Lucky Shamrock, part of Lisa Donovan Lukas’s Dynamic Duos songbook, is a delightful evenly-leveled duet for two late-beginners. Enjoy this piece as a St. Patrick’s Day favorite or at any time of the year! This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

No Limits is a fast and flashy duet for two early intermediates. Full of driving, syncopated rhythms this duet is sure to be a hit at your next recital! Music composed by Jennifer Eklund. This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

Inspired by the rowdiness and excitement of a big Texas get-together, Up On the Housetop is as much fun to play as it is to hear! This new duet by Paul Sweet is great for late-intermediates and up.

The Magic Carousel is an upbeat evenly-leveled duet for beginners composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Three Moods for Piano, composed by Rick Robertson, is an late intermediate level triptych in a percussive twentieth-century style. The outer movements, both crisp and rhythmic (the first in constantly changing meters) flank a short, expressive middle movement. It is very effective in performance, and makes an excellent repertoire choice for a developing pianist.

With its catchy rhythmic drive and harmonic twists, Tango Twist, composed by Jenny Walker is a joy to play, a pleasure to listen to and a real showcase piece for adventurous students and teachers alike.

Long Road Home is an intermediate level lyrical duet ideal for students of all ages. Music composed by Jennifer Eklund.

Three Prayers consists of three short engaging movements for 2 pianos, 8 hands, by Lisa Donovan Lukas. This is a melodic, contemporary showcase piece for late intermediate students. Ideal for teens as well as students of all ages who enjoy playing duets and ensemble pieces at group lessons and recitals.

Dark to Light is a fast and flashy evenly-leveled duet for two early intermediates. Music by Jennifer Eklund.

Spin My Web is a vexing and spooky, evenly-leveled duet for two late beginners. Composed by Chrisanne Nahum, this student-favorite, remains primarily in 5-finger position as the two parts weave together to spin an intricate web of sound! This piece has been selected for the NFMC Festivals Bulletin, 2020-2024.

The Puppeteers is a fast and flashy evenly-leveled duet for late beginners composed by Lisa Donovan Lukas.

Waltz Divine, composed by Jenny Walker, is in the style of a grand waltz. Rubato is encouraged, especially when it comes to reaching the distance in the left hand. The opening section has a catchy and memorable theme. The quieter, second section, is brief and the first idea soon reappears to conclude the piece. This selection is ideal for late intermediates.