2012 is the 25th Anniversary of the National Accordion Association (NAA) Convention. The celebration of the 2012 National Accordion Convention, held at the Westin Park Central Hotel in Dallas, Texas from March 14 – 17 is planned by the National Accordion Convention Planning Team consisting of Nick Ballarini, Greg Klugiewicz, Sharon and Norman Seaton, Louise and Bill Kucera, Judy Dillard, Chett Warzusen, Nancy Bernstein, and Tom Faulkner.
Featured accordionists will be Murl Sanders, SqueezeBox “Molly B and Ted”, Betty Jo Simon, and Tatiana Semichasnaya. Newly added to the line up is well known accordionist, Cory Pesaturo.
The 2012 NAA Festival will also host activities for young accordionists. The National Accordion Association (NAA) youth program is designed for individuals 19 years of age and younger. Because of normal school schedules, Saturday, March 17, will be the official 2012 youth day. Due to generous donations by various members, the youth are invited to attend convention workshops, concerts, and related activities without paying an entrance fee. As you register for the 2012 convention, you may consider contributing to this special program.
Activities planned for young accordionists are: Youth Accordion Band under the direction of Richard Albreski. Please contact him directly, juaccord@hotmail.com for more info. Arlyn Visentin organized performance on the lobby stage, Dr. Daniel Kott directs Folk Dance activities,
Shelia Lee will manage the Hohner Accordion Trade Show area. She is setting up the show area to simulate her Pasadena Accordion Studio. Both youth and adults are encouraged to stop by and to take beginner lessons on either the button or piano accordion. On Saturday, Shelia will be in the Hohner Trade Show area letting anyone interested play an accordion (piano, button, or chromatic). If you bring your own a button accordion with the bass reeds removed, bring those reeds and Shelia will put the reeds back in (free) and teach you how to play a button accordion while using the bass buttons.
Interesting workshops will be offered by the following presenters: Murl Sanders “Versatile Accordionist Workshop” and “Instant Zydeco”; Betty Jo Simon “Commercializing Your Musical Talents”; Jamie Maschler “Tango, Comping, and Articulations”; Hank Thunander “Ethnic Styles of Polkas” , Nick Ballarini, Hank, Norman Seaton ” Polka vs. Jazz”; Paul Betkin “Music Law 101″s; Roland Artists Tatiana Semichasnaya and Chris Gorton ” How to Use A Roland”; Additional presenters are Nick Bratkovich ” Macedonian Folk Dance Workshop”; Gordon Kohl “Polka Pointers”; Mario Pedone “Composing on your Computer”: Dr. Ian Blair Fries “Medical School 101 for Accordionists”; Jessica Faltot “Business Relationships”; Gerald Cigler/Paul Betkin, Nick Ballarini “Bass Workshop”; Daniel Kott, Debra Peters “Swingin’ Blues Accordion Band and Arlyn Visentin “Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame”.
For further information: NatlAccordion@SBCGlobal.net or
GKlugie@Verizon.net
