Dueling pianos is more than music;
it's an immersive experience.
This isn't background music for polite conversation. Expect requests flying, everyone singing in unison, and a room that feels more like a party than a performance. Our goal every show: turn a crowd of strangers into old friends by last call.
What is Dueling Pianos?
Two pianos. Two voices. No setlist.
Two performers facing off, playing whatever the room asks for, all night long. There's no script and no setlist. The crowd drives the show, which means every single Grandstand performance is different from the last.
Based in Chicago, we play throughout Illinois and the surrounding Midwest for weddings, corporate events, private celebrations, and public venue nights.
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Where We Play
An act for every kind of room.
We love a high-energy, everybody-on-their-feet show — but we read the room.
Prefer something a little more low-key? We'll adapt the energy to fit the night you actually want.
01
Public Shows
Dueling pianos in its natural habitat. Catch us at a bar, brewery, or lounge near you, or reach out to bring us to your neck of the woods.
02
Weddings
From cocktail hour to last dance, we keep the whole reception on its feet — and take requests from both sides of the family.
03
Corporate Events
Holiday parties, client appreciation nights, team celebrations. A show that gets coworkers singing together beats another open bar.
04
Private Parties
From anniversaries to divorce celebrations, if it's worth celebrating (or celebrating the end of), it's worth a Grandstand show.
Why Grandstand
The best show, at the best price.
We're a small company of independent, seasoned musicians, not a big production house with a stack of overhead to cover. That means lower day-to-day costs, and a lower cost passed on to you, without cutting corners on the show itself.
Seasoned Performers
Professional musicians with years on stage, not hired-for-the-night fill-ins.
Lean Operation
Independent contractors, low overhead — savings that go straight into your quote.
Custom Quotes
Every event is priced around what you actually need. No bloated packages.
Gallery
A look at the show.
Meet the Players
Behind the curtain.
Nathan Gallop
Founder, Owner, & Performer
Nathan has been performing on stage for over 15 years. He started with classical piano at age ten, but found more joy learning radio hits by ear than drilling classical repertoire. He later discovered a passion for live theatre, and in 2023 he earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University.
The following year, Nathan got his first shot at dueling pianos aboard Holland America Line. The format's mix of improvisation, showmanship, and crowd interaction pulled together everything he loved about performing, and he was instantly hooked.
After landing back in Chicago, Nathan spent two years learning hundreds of songs and training with the region's top industry veterans. In 2026, he founded Grandstand Dueling Pianos with a simple goal: bring world-class dueling piano entertainment to communities without their own brick-and-mortar piano bar venues. And while that's what Grandstand was built around, the show travels just as well to an intimate private party, a black-tie corporate event, or a full-scale wedding.
Cassandra Kaczor
Performer
Cassandra is a Chicago-based composer, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, and entertainer. With more than twenty years of piano bar experience and over 1,000 songs at her fingertips, she's built a career on reading a room and giving it exactly what it wants to hear next.
Cassandra holds a Master's degree in Music Composition, earned as a Performing Arts Scholar at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. Her formal training runs alongside years of work at some of Chicago's best-known piano bars, including Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, Sluggers, Redhead Piano Bar, and the Zebra Lounge.
Beyond the piano bar circuit, Cassandra has brought her talents to cruise ships, private parties, weddings, and corporate events across the country, adapting her show to whatever the night calls for. Whether she's leading a singalong or burning down the dance floor, Cassandra brings the same energy and precision to every show.
John Weston
Performer
John has been playing music in front of audiences for 30 years. He grew up in Southern California, where, at a young age, he learned classical piano. At age nine, he discovered his parents' CD and vinyl collection and began teaching himself the guitar by ear, using popular music's greatest recordings as his guide.
He formed his first musical group at age 10, and began performing in music venues at age 16. After attending Indiana University, Bloomington, John moved to Chicago, IL, where he officially joined his friends in the dueling piano community.
For over a decade, John has performed in piano bars around the country, in Europe, and on cruise ships. He plays piano, guitar, bass guitar, sings, and is a seasoned songwriter. During the day, John dedicates his time to working with musicians, artists, and independent business owners creating unique strategies for short, mid, and long-term financial success.
Get In Touch
Let's plan your show.
Send us your event details for a custom quote, or reach out with feedback, press, or anything else.
Service Area
Based in Chicago · Serving Illinois & the surrounding Midwest
Response Time
We typically reply within 1–2 business days.