Amy Jo Sawyer will have her new composition, “Recuerdos” (“Memories”) premiered at the celebration of Joan C. Sommers 50th year as conductor of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra. Joan Sommers had requested that Amy Jo create a new composition for the celebration to be held in Kansas City on May 22nd. (See the first article in this issue about Joan C. Sommers).



Amy Jo has been composing music since she was a teenager. “My teacher would say – see what you can do with this pop piece to make it more interesting. It was something I loved to do. When I was in High School I started composing my own music.” O. Pagani published two of her original pieces in 1966: “Just Cruisin” (jazz style) and “Fantasia” (classical). The former was used as a Jazz competition test piece in Accordion Federation of North America (Los Angeles) competitions.



Amy Jo Sawyer has written music for, and performed with, the (University of Missouri at Kansas City) UMKC Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Joan Sommers, on four of their international tours. “Latin Impressions” (tour to Russia and Baltic countries), “Opus 5-6-4” (tour to New Zealand/Australia), and “Carnival” (tour to Italy).  Two of her other orchestra compositions, “Juntos” (Tango) and “Diggin’ Dorian” (Latin Jazz) were performed at ATG Festivals by the ATG Festival Orchestra.

Amy Jo Sawyer arranged “All The Things You Are” for the 2011 Frank Marocco Accordion Event held in Mesa, Arizona. The previous year “Juntos” was performed at the 2010 FMAE. Frank chose “Juntos” to be included in the repertoire that will be performed by the orchestra at his FMAE in Castelfidardo, Italy on June 4, 2011. 

Joan Sommers has also chosen “Recuerdos” to be performed by the Festival Orchestra at the annual Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International to be held at Disney World, July 30, 2011. 


Amy Jo composes for all combinations of instruments including solos and duets for accordion: “Three For Frank”, a jazz waltz dedicated to Frank Marocco: “Jazzin’ Three” (solo with optional 2nd part); “Elida”, (bossa nova),(Delete – and) “Juntos” (Tango for two accordions), and” Brazilian Suite” –  in three movements: Carnival, Evening, Celebration (various Latin rhythms).

Amy Jo Sawyer began her study of the accordion at the age of ten with Henri Milano, in Mesa, Arizona. Her musical parents, Marlin & Virginia McLaws, played trumpet and piano respectively in their own Dance Orchestra for fifty years in the Phoenix area. Amy Jo started piano lessons at the age of five and during her grade and high school years played the baritone horn in the school bands. The accordion became her “first love” and at age fourteen she entered the National Accordion Competition, in Chicago, placing 2nd in her age category. 

At age nineteen she won first place in the Western States Accordion Competition in Long Beach, California and competed in the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Competition in Biel, Switzerland, establishing herself as one of the world’s foremost accordionists.

Amy Jo Sawyer continued her studies under the direction of Anthony Galla-Rini in Los Angeles, and represented Arizona in the National Accordion Competition in New York City. “One of the greatest compliments I have received was from Anthony Galla-Rini as he included my name with those he considered his most talented students in the book, ‘Anthony Galla-Rini on His Life and the Accordion’ written by Swedish author Ove Hahn.”

While living in Germany (1967-1970) she studied with famous Danish accordion artist and teacher, Mogens Ellegaard.



In 1964 she won a competition sponsored by the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, the winner of which to perform in solo with the symphony. The other contestants were violinists and pianists. The Symphony Conductor, Sandor Salgo, exclaimed, “she is a musical genius, and just happens to play the accordion!” She performed “Concerto for Accordion & Orchestra”, by Paul Creston. 


Amy Jo Sawyer received a BA degree in Composition in 1988 and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance in 1989 from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. While there she composed several jazz originals that were performed by the SIU-E Concert Jazz Band, with her on keyboards. An original, “Just You,” was also performed by the Brigham Young University “Synthesis” Jazz Band. 

Amy Jo Sawyer has performed accordion parts with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions, including accompanying world renowned Italian Tenor, Luciano Pavarotti and a recent performance of “Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring”.   

Amy Jo has served as President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International, Inc. and President of her local chapter of the Illinois State Music Teachers’ Association. 


She is a Nationally Certified Piano Instructor through the Music Teachers National Association. She has three original piano pieces that have been approved by the State of Illinois to be performed as repertoire in the “Achievement In Music Program”. She is an active performing artist on both accordion and piano.

Her two CDs are available for purchase: “According To Amy” (Jazz and original pieces, with combo), and “Classically Amy” (solo classical pieces) at Amy Jo Sawyer.

Her  CDs and original music are also available at 618-632-2859 or Email: AmyJo@apci.net.

Amy Jo Sawyer will have her new composition, “Recuerdos” (“Memories”) premiered at the celebration of Joan C. Sommers 50th year as conductor of the UMKC Accordion Orchestra. Joan Sommers had requested that Amy Jo create a new composition for the celebration to be held in Kansas City on May 22nd. (See the first article in this issue about Joan C. Sommers).



Amy Jo has been composing music since she was a teenager. “My teacher would say – see what you can do with this pop piece to make it more interesting. It was something I loved to do. When I was in High School I started composing my own music.” O. Pagani published two of her original pieces in 1966: “Just Cruisin” (jazz style) and “Fantasia” (classical). The former was used as a Jazz competition test piece in Accordion Federation of North America (Los Angeles) competitions.



Amy Jo Sawyer has written music for, and performed with, the (University of Missouri at Kansas City) UMKC Accordion Orchestra, under the direction of Joan Sommers, on four of their international tours. “Latin Impressions” (tour to Russia and Baltic countries), “Opus 5-6-4” (tour to New Zealand/Australia), and “Carnival” (tour to Italy).  Two of her other orchestra compositions, “Juntos” (Tango) and “Diggin’ Dorian” (Latin Jazz) were performed at ATG Festivals by the ATG Festival Orchestra.

Amy Jo Sawyer arranged “All The Things You Are” for the 2011 Frank Marocco Accordion Event held in Mesa, Arizona. The previous year “Juntos” was performed at the 2010 FMAE. Frank chose “Juntos” to be included in the repertoire that will be performed by the orchestra at his FMAE in Castelfidardo, Italy on June 4, 2011. 

Joan Sommers has also chosen “Recuerdos” to be performed by the Festival Orchestra at the annual Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International to be held at Disney World, July 30, 2011. 


Amy Jo composes for all combinations of instruments including solos and duets for accordion: “Three For Frank”, a jazz waltz dedicated to Frank Marocco: “Jazzin’ Three” (solo with optional 2nd part); “Elida”, (bossa nova),(Delete – and) “Juntos” (Tango for two accordions), and” Brazilian Suite” –  in three movements: Carnival, Evening, Celebration (various Latin rhythms).

Amy Jo Sawyer began her study of the accordion at the age of ten with Henri Milano, in Mesa, Arizona. Her musical parents, Marlin & Virginia McLaws, played trumpet and piano respectively in their own Dance Orchestra for fifty years in the Phoenix area. Amy Jo started piano lessons at the age of five and during her grade and high school years played the baritone horn in the school bands. The accordion became her “first love” and at age fourteen she entered the National Accordion Competition, in Chicago, placing 2nd in her age category. 

At age nineteen she won first place in the Western States Accordion Competition in Long Beach, California and competed in the Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Competition in Biel, Switzerland, establishing herself as one of the world’s foremost accordionists.

Amy Jo Sawyer continued her studies under the direction of Anthony Galla-Rini in Los Angeles, and represented Arizona in the National Accordion Competition in New York City. “One of the greatest compliments I have received was from Anthony Galla-Rini as he included my name with those he considered his most talented students in the book, ‘Anthony Galla-Rini on His Life and the Accordion’ written by Swedish author Ove Hahn.”

While living in Germany (1967-1970) she studied with famous Danish accordion artist and teacher, Mogens Ellegaard.



In 1964 she won a competition sponsored by the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, the winner of which to perform in solo with the symphony. The other contestants were violinists and pianists. The Symphony Conductor, Sandor Salgo, exclaimed, “she is a musical genius, and just happens to play the accordion!” She performed “Concerto for Accordion & Orchestra”, by Paul Creston. 


Amy Jo Sawyer received a BA degree in Composition in 1988 and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance in 1989 from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. While there she composed several jazz originals that were performed by the SIU-E Concert Jazz Band, with her on keyboards. An original, “Just You,” was also performed by the Brigham Young University “Synthesis” Jazz Band. 

Amy Jo Sawyer has performed accordion parts with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions, including accompanying world renowned Italian Tenor, Luciano Pavarotti and a recent performance of “Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring”.   

Amy Jo has served as President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International, Inc. and President of her local chapter of the Illinois State Music Teachers’ Association. 


She is a Nationally Certified Piano Instructor through the Music Teachers National Association. She has three original piano pieces that have been approved by the State of Illinois to be performed as repertoire in the “Achievement In Music Program”. She is an active performing artist on both accordion and piano.

Her two CDs are available for purchase: “According To Amy” (Jazz and original pieces, with combo), and “Classically Amy” (solo classical pieces) at Amy Jo Sawyer.

Her  CDs and original music are also available at 618-632-2859 or Email: AmyJo@apci.net.