The Accordion Pops Orchestra conducted by Al Terzo celebrates its 49th concert season presenting “Impressions in the Spring” on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Soloists include John Andrews, Gia Ciccone, Andrea Maurer, and Suzana Beites. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Eugene DeBellis who passed away on March 16, 2019.

The Accordion Pops Orchestras’ roots can be traced to 1970, when it was organized by the Accordion Teachers’ Association of New Jersey.  Over the next ten years it performed at various community functions throughout the state under the direction of its first conductor, Dr. Jacob Neupauer of Philadelphia. In 1980 the orchestra members took a leave of absence, but four years later the membership was reorganized under the direction of the late Eugene Ettore of Livingston, New Jersey.  In 1985, Daniel Desiderio was invited to act as a guest conductor of the orchestra and a few years later the A.T.A. of NJ appointed him as conductor in residence. 

The name of the orchestra was formally changed to the Accordion Pops Orchestra and its membership was expanded beyond the original members from New Jersey to include performers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island.  Maestro Desiderio retired as conductor in May 2011 and turned over the baton to Al Terzo.

The largest professional accordion orchestra of its kind on the East Coast, the group consists entirely of accordions plus percussion instruments.  In addition, the orchestra often accompanies guest soloists including pianists and vocal artists. Al Terzo, APO Conductor 2011-Present, is a teacher, arranger, and conductor who has been with the orchestra since its inception in 1970.  He is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, New Jersey Music Teachers Association, and National Association of Music Educators. Mr.Terzo serves on the governing board of the American Accordionists Association and is a founding member of the Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild.  He is an accomplished accordionist who has performed at the Garden State Arts Center and Newark’s Symphony Hall. Currently Mr. Terzo teaches accordion and piano in New Jersey.

Current Members of the Orchestra include: Juliette Amerman (4th accordion), John Andrews (4th accordion), Diane Ashenfalder (2nd accordion), Jennifer Bednar (3rd accordion), Suzana Beites (3rd accordion), Erika Brito Perez (3rd accordion), Rosemarie Cavanaugh (3rd accordion; public relations), Klajdi Cerriku (1st accordion), Ines Csulak (3rd accordion; treasurer), Phyllis Edamatsu (1st accordion), Anne Marie Egan (2nd accordion), Lenny Feldmann (guest artist/announcer), Joyce Gandenberger (1st accordion), Rachel Gasataya (2nd accordion), Dante Giammarco (3rd accordion), Kelly Grove (3rd accordion), Raymond Haines (2nd accordion), Anna René Jeremiah (keyboard/percussion)
Paul Koslowski (1st accordion), Mike Marchese (4th accordion), Andrea Maurer (Flute), Cody McSherry (guest artist), John Modrowsky (2nd accordion)
Tatiana Mozgovaya (1st accordion), John Papietro (announcer), Robert Patterson (webmaster; repairs; midi accordion), Phyllis Pepler (4th accordion), Brenda Poston (4th accordion), Dean Ratzin (video), Henry Ray (3rd accordion), Teresa Rehberg (3rd accordion), Josephine Sarica (bass accordion), Dr. Mike Soloway (bass accordion), Diane Squillace (1st accordion; concert master), Denise Szabo (4th accordion), Al Terzo (Conductor), Mary Thomas (4th accordion)

Eugene DeBellis passed away on March 16, 2019. He attended St Lucy’s Elementary School, Seton Hall Prep H.S., N.Y.U., and graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.A. in Music Education. Gene was an Army Veteran of the Korean War and was the Conductor for the U.S. Infantry Band in 1950,

He was the Director, owner and respected educator at De Bellis School of Performing Arts, 1952-2014. He was Conductor of D.M.S. Alumni Band and President of Accordion Teacher’s Association of New Jersey. Member of Mid Atlantic Music Teacher’s Guild. Performer and Guest Conductor of N.J. Accor- dion Pops Orchestra. President of Newark Chapter of N.J. Opera. President of Federation of Italian American Society. He was honored by Who’s Who of Italian American Culture, awarded the Keys to the City in New Orleans for Italian cultural preservation, he received the Fine Arts Music achievement award by the A.T.A and MAMTG of New Jersey as well as the De Bellis School of Performing Arts Director’s Award 60th Anniversary from Staff and Students.

He was the Director, owner and respected educator at De Bellis School of Performing Arts, 1952-2014. He was Conductor of D.M.S. Alumni Band. He was the Eucharistic Minister and Parish Counsel President of St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church. Eucharistic Minister at St. Philip the Apostle R.C. Church. Member of National Shrine of St. Gerard’s Men’s Guild. Member of Columbus Hospital Board. President of Accordion Teacher’s Association. Member of Mid Atlantic Music Teacher’s Guild. Performer and Guest Conductor of N.J. Accordion Pops Orchestra. President of Newark Chapter of N.J. Opera. President of Federation of Italian American Society.

Eugene De Bellis was honored by Who’s Who of Italian American Culture, awarded the Keys to the City in New Orleans for Italian cultural preservation, received the Christopher Columbus, Columbus Day Award for community service by the Italian Tribune Newspaper. Awarded Unico’s National’s Positive Image Award, Man of the Year of the Federation of Italian American Societies, Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ Positive Image Award, Gibblin Assoc. Fine Arts Achievement. Music achievement award by the A.T.A and M.A.MTG of New Jersey and DeBellis School of Performing Arts Director’s Award 60th Anniversary from Staff and Students.

Devoted and loving husband to Lorraine C. De Bellis, co-director of De Bellis School of Performing Arts. Loving and precious father and adored by daughter Cynthia J. De Bellis-Ketay, Father in law to Richard Ketay; Gentle, loving Grandfather to Gina and Michael Ketay; Beloved Brother to the late Vincent De Bellis; nieces Donna, Diane and Mary De Bellis. HIs family, friends, and students will always remember him, his warm personality, and love of the accordion and music.

For further information: webmaster@accordionpops.com