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Megan Hill, 35, is one half of Pianopalooza. See the group Aug. 29 during Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo, 7401 S.W. Ninth St.
Q: How did you get started playing dueling pianos?
I’ve played piano all my life, but dueling pianos started after I met Tony (Bohnenkamp, Pianopalooza co-founder) at a Nadas show years ago. He told me he owned a piano bar (Grand Piano Bistro), and I said I was going there the next weekend. He invited me to come up and play, so I got a few songs ready. After that he told me he was going to teach me to play dueling pianos, and I played at the Bistro for two or three years.
Q: How do you keep up on new songs, and what’s the latest you’ve learned?
For the new songs we usually try to pick ones that are requested the most to add to our repertoire. And you have to stay on top of the top 20 and pick a couple you think may be popular. In general we play a lot of the same songs each show.
The most recent one I’ve learned was probably (Carly Rae Jepsen’s) “Call Me, Maybe.” Even though it pained me to learn it, you have to do what the majority wants.
Q: What’s your favorite song to perform?
My favorite is the same as Tony’s: “Africa” by Toto. If no one requests it we’ll request it ourselves.
