CBS Chicago television reported this week on a virtual accordion class. “The stay-at-home order did not stop Mary Ann Covone from getting her Old Town School of Folk Music accordion class to connect — this time in a virtual setting” CBS 2’s Brad Edwards reported.

The video above includes an interview with Mary Ann and what she is achieving in the face of Covid-19.

Mary Ann Covone is one of a handful of classical accordionists in the United States having graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Accordion Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. She performed extensively and taught in the Chicago area for several years before attending law school and embarking on a 25 plus year legal career. In addition to maintaining her legal career, Mary Ann has recently returned to performing and teaching.

She studied with Joan Cochran Sommers and continues to play in an ensemble in Kansas City under the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers. Mary Ann is currently serving on the Board of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International, an organization that strives to promote excellence in teaching and playing and to promote accordion playing at all levels in all genres.

She has presented programs that include light pop, ethnic and semi-classical music. Recently, Mary Ann performed with the West Suburban Orchestra and the Loyola University Orchestra in various Shostakovich works. She has also played in the pit orchestra in the show “Cabaret”
with the Beverly Theater Guild.