Adult Piano Lessons--Spring 2026 Project: Dreams

I’m excited for our Spring 2026 theme: Dreams. Here is a list of ideas to begin planning ahead.

1. Dreams of Love and Memory – Schumann, Chopin, Rollin

2. Dreams of Imagination – Bober, Gillock, Disney themes

3. Dreams of the Future – modern composers, improvisations, or personal aspirations

4. Dreams of Sleep – lullabies, nocturnes, reveries

Elementary / Early Intermediate

(Evocative, imaginative, or night-related titles)

• “Daydream” – Jon George (beautiful, lyrical, simple ABA form)

• “In My Dream” – Melody Bober (expressive pedagogical favorite)

• “The Dream” – Tchaikovsky, Album for the Young, Op. 39, No. 21

• “Dream Journey” – Martha Mier (Romantic-style)

• “Dreaming” – Gurlitt, Albumleaves, Op. 101, No. 2

• “Shooting Stars” – Jennifer Linn (energetic and modern)

• “Under the Moonlight” – Nancy Faber (lush harmonies for Level 2–3 students)

• “Dreaming of Summer” – Gillock (poetic, very playable)

• “Daydreams” – Dennis Alexander (Lyrical, introspective)

Intermediate

(Mix of tonal, impressionistic, and jazz-inspired “dream” pieces)

• “Clair de lune” – Debussy (obvious but perfect)

• “Reverie” – Debussy (more attainable for mid-intermediate)

• “Dreamcatcher” – Melody Bober (flowing arpeggios and mysterious harmonies)

• “Dreams” – Catherine Rollin (Romantic mood, lyrical phrasing)

• Summer Dreams (from Lyrics Moments Book 1, Catherine Rollin)

• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Nocturne or Scherzo) – Mendelssohn (arranged versions available)

• “Reverie” – Schumann (lyrical and tender, from Fantasiestücke, Op. 12)

• “Traumerei (Dreaming)” – Schumann, Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15, No. 7

• “Nocturne in C# minor” – Chopin (beautiful, accessible at late intermediate)

• “Dream Waltz” – Gillock (jazzy waltz with lush harmonies)

• “L’ensommeil (The Sleep)” – Burgmüller, Op. 109, No. 13

• “Through the Clouds” – Martha Mier (modern and ethereal)

Advanced / Artist Level

(Dreams, visions, or fantasy as artistic/metaphoric expression)

• “Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17” – Schumann (the dream of unattainable love)

• “Ondine” or “Le Gibet” from Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit (nightmare vs. dream)

• “L’isle joyeuse” – Debussy (ecstatic dream of joy)

• “Liebesträume No. 3” – Liszt (literally “Dreams of Love”)

• “Prelude in B minor, Op. 32, No. 10” – Rachmaninoff (dark, brooding dream)

• “La Cathédrale engloutie” – Debussy (the mythical dream of a submerged cathedral)

• “Sonata quasi una fantasia” (Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27 No. 2) – Beethoven

• “Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2” – Chopin (a dreamy masterpiece)

• “Somnium” – contemporary works by Ludovico Einaudi, Jon Schmidt, or Philip Wesley (modern dreamscapes)

Creative Ensemble or Group Options

• “A Million Dreams” (The Greatest Showman) – duet or trio arrangement

• “Once Upon a Dream” (Sleeping Beauty) – Disney, charming for intermediate trios

• “Pure Imagination” (Willy Wonka) – jazz-inflected dream theme

• “I Dreamed a Dream” (Les Misérables) – rich emotional storytelling

• “Over the Rainbow” – lyrical and instantly recognizable

• “Dream On” (Aerosmith) – bold, rock-inspired duet version

• “Dreamers” – from The Piano Guys arrangemen

Early Intermediate—-6 hands

• “Dreamcatcher” – Jennifer Linn (6 hands, poetic and modal)

• “Dream Song” – Robert Vandall (6 hands, lyrical and rhythmic interest for all parts)

• “Daydreams” – Melody Bober (6 hands, expressive and easy to balance)

• “Star Gazers” – Valerie Roth Roubos (6 hands, lyrical outer parts with flowing middle)

• “The Sleepy Puppy” – Randall Hartsell (light and humorous for beginner trios)

Intermediate

• “Lunar Landscape” – Kevin Olson (6 hands, shimmering textures—perfect for “dreams” theme)

• “Evening at the Lake” – Melody Bober (6 hands, reflective but accessible)

• “Night Flight” – Martha Mier (jazzy, energetic—represents adventure in dreams)

• “Dream Waltz” – Gillock, trio arrangement available (gentle and nostalgic)

• “Once Upon a Dream” – Disney, arranged for 6 hands by Carol Klose or arranged in-house (sweet and familiar)

Late Intermediate / Early Advanced

• “Pure Imagination” – arr. Jennifer Linn (6 hands, sophisticated but playable)

• “Over the Rainbow” – arr. Carol Klose (6 hands, lush harmonies)

• “A Million Dreams” (The Greatest Showman) – arranged for 6 hands (aspirational dream)

• “Night on Bald Mountain” – simplified trio arrangement (the nightmare side of dreams)

• “Liebesträume” – Liszt, arranged for 6 hands (romantic and grand closing piece)