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 Accordion class performance  2011 Cotati Accordion Festival ad (C. Cotati Accordion Festival, Pat Ryan, 2000.)  Holden graduation |
BiographyBorn in Chicago on the Northwest Side, home to more accordions than anywhere in the universe when I was growing up. I was one who got hooked by "six free lessons" at age 9. I've led, played in and survived no fewer than 30 Holden High School Halloween costume parades through Orinda; played at many neighborhood trick-or-treat nights with my own kids in North Oakland.
Taught and co-directed at Holden (www.holdenhigh.org) for thirty-six years, including some accordion, some singing, and some folk guitar. I play a little baritone horn also. Played recessional music at about 45 graduations--songs like "Hey Ya," "Highway to Hell," "Sailor Moon," etc. by student request. I was famous (to myself) for half a minute when I recorded some background music for the video game "Left for Dead," but alas my improvisations were left on the cutting room floor, in favor of a banjo no less! Gave a lesson to Jesse Baldwin, accordionist/keyboardist/singer of Kites and Crows from Ashland, OR. I'm not sure how much he got from that lesson, but Kites and Crows sure makes beautiful music: www.kitesandcrows.net I have an MA, a lifetime elementary credential, and an Education Specialist (Special Ed) credential. I love honing in on the next place a student can learn a lot. I've been a Board Member of Destiny Arts Center and the National Coalition of Alternative and Community Schools (NCACS). I play by ear and read and write music, so I can transcribe songs from recordings. I can sing when I play, so I can teach this too. I can dance when I play, too, but I haven't done this much. Now that I'm retired I have extra time to give lessons. |
A Few Musical Favorites
Carlos Vives, "Clasicos De La Provincia." Carlos's accordionist, Egidio Cuadrado, is a revelation.
Sharon Shannon, "Out the Gap." She plays both button accordion and fiddle.
Maria Kalaniemi, "Bellow Poetry." Words fail.
Flaco Jimenez. Master of Tex-Mex. Anything he has recorded. He plays with three fingers, and brilliantly.
Kepa Junkera, "Bilbao 00:00h." A Basque accordionist.
(Don't forget the Cotati Accordion Festival every August: www.cotatifest.com )
Sharon Shannon, "Out the Gap." She plays both button accordion and fiddle.
Maria Kalaniemi, "Bellow Poetry." Words fail.
Flaco Jimenez. Master of Tex-Mex. Anything he has recorded. He plays with three fingers, and brilliantly.
Kepa Junkera, "Bilbao 00:00h." A Basque accordionist.
(Don't forget the Cotati Accordion Festival every August: www.cotatifest.com )
