ABOVE: Martin Luther High School student Jayson Matasovsky and Glenn Henriksen rehearse at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Armstrong ahead of their dueling pianos Spectacula Virtuoso concert, which will be at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Martin Luther High School in Northrop.

NORTHROP – A performer with decades-long experience and a rising talent will be dueling pianos for a Martin Luther High School (MLHS) Spectacula Virtuoso Christmas Concert Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m.

The performance, to be held at the high school, is a benefit for the student tuition fund. In addition to the performance, there will be Christmas treats and a Festival of Trees, where each tree is decorated by students, school clubs and others who wished to have a submission, and guests will be able to vote on their favorite tree.

Dueling pianos is when two performers play together at the same time, either on two separate pianos or on the same piano. While each has its own parts, they combine to play musical arrangements. This concert will include performances of “Frosty the Snowman”, “Silent Night” from Mannheim Steamroller and a twist on “Sleigh Ride” among others.

Glenn Henriksen is an Armstrong, Iowa native who has played piano for decades. Doing concerts solo, with friends, in a band, and as far away as Arizona.

“I started piano lessons at age seven,” he said. “At age 13, I started to play the organ here for church (Nazareth Lutheran). I’ve been doing that all through the years. Went to Luther College for a couple years. Didn’t want to teach music, so I came home to farm instead. Didn’t think I was good enough to be a performer. Through a lot of experience and getting confidence in myself. I became a concert musician.”

Every year, Henriksen makes time to perform for the holidays, including at the Red Rock Center for the Arts. This new opportunity arose through the high school’s outreach.

“Marge Thiesse, the school Superintendent Secretary at Martin Luther High School in Northrop, had this idea to pair up with Jayson Matasovsky,” Henriksen said. “I had played a couple times on my own in the past at Martin Luther High School for fundraisers, but this was a chance to do something different. I met Jason, and we practiced. I’m very impressed with his abilities and his desire to really reach and do a great job.”

Matasovsky is a senior at MLHS. He first started learning piano 10 years ago, in second grade. He said it didn’t catch on immediately, but he found a passion for it.

“It started off, believe it or not, a little rough,” Matasovsky said. “I was hesitant, this whole new thing, but over time, slowly implementing new songs that fit my taste, I grew to like it a lot. I just love to make music all the time.”

While he has performed in the background for events such as benefit dinners and school concerts, this is the first time Matasovsky will perform on this scale.

“At the beginning, it was very intimidating,” he said. “Not knowing anything about planning and practicing for an actual concert. I’ve never done anything like it, so it was very scary. Over time, you get more comfortable with it, and you start feeling really good about how much time you put into it, and what’s really making out of it.”

Both performers said they have gained a great deal from practicing and learning from each other.

“We found out things about ourselves and our abilities that we can lend to each other and enrich our day,” Henriksen said. “Jason’s enthusiasm and his technical ability is amazing, and I am happy to fill in some of the blanks, as well as provide some of what I try and do best.”

“I’ve learned to really not be so afraid to step out of your zone, and it’s okay to try new things,” Matasovsky said.

For those who attend, Henriksen said he hopes to reinforce the great heritage and legacy of traditional carols and hymns.

“To realize how much music is our great commonality in terms of transcending all languages and other interests,” he said. “That we can share this love of music in so many ways that it will draw us closer to the real meaning of Christmas, too.”

Tickets are available for $20 at MLHS, located at 315 Martin Luther Drive, Northrop. For more information, call 507-436-5249.