Karen Spurney and Valerie Stern are a captivating Los Angeles-based piano duo dedicated to the performance of American Classical music. Since their first appearance together in a 2007 all-Gershwin concert, the award-winning pianists have collaborated on numerous recitals and academic endeavors. As educators themselves, they strive to engage audiences new to classical music by merging live performance with insightful visuals and filmic backdrops. The duo’s latest concerts highlighted the works of Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and William Bolcom, and sold out completely.
Both pianists hold degrees from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music under the instruction of Kevin Fitz-Gerald. Ms. Spurney is a prizewinner in the CAPMT and MTAC Solo Competitions and currently teaches classroom music at The John Thomas Dye School. She is the co-author of NOTEBUSTERS, an inspiring workbook for young people learning to read music. Ms. Stern has appeared with the Torrance Symphony, the New West Symphony, and was a prizewinner in Washington D.C.'s International Young Artist Piano Competition. She is on the piano faculty at El Camino College and will be pursuing her DMA degree in Fall of 2018.