Betty Jo Simon is a friendly and talented accordionist and is very modest about her talents. She loves to perform and promote the accordion. Even her adorable grandsons play the accordion! She is a perfect example of how the accordion enriches not only the performer’s life but also that of all the people who connect with her enthusiasm and love of the instrument!

Did you know that Betty Jo Simon was honored at the 2023 ATG Festival and inducted into their Hall of Fame? Betty Jo shares, “On July 19-23, 2023 we had most enjoyable days participating and performing at the Accordionists & Teachers Guild (ATG) 81st Annual Festival. It’s always a joy to visit with accordion friends from the U.S. and around the world. I enjoyed playing with the acclaimed UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble, on the Original Music concert as a trio with Lemi Wang and Jane Christison, and in the ATG Festival Orchestra. A lot of time and effort by everyone produced a wonderful variety of performances at Wheaton College’s Armerding Concert Hall.

At the last evening’s Gala Banquet, I had a big surprise. The ATG board awarded me with a plaque that acknowledged the various assignments I had completed over many years and my dedication to the accordion world. With this plaque, they inducted me into the “ATG International Accordion Hall of Fame.” I humbly thanked the board members for this honorary award. It was a special memorial conclusion to another wonderful ATG festival.”

And now it’s that time of year! You are invited to the Alpen Spielers’ performance for Kristkindl Markt this Friday, December 1, 2023 from 5 to 9 PM at Kansas City United Church of Christ, 205 W. 65th St., KC, MO. This church goes all-out to transform itself into a German Christmas Market. There are lots of crafts to peruse, a bake sale and gingerbread houses that children can decorate. The food is delicious and the band is exceptional! There is something for everyone, so we hope to see you Friday night! Accordionist Betty Jo Simon will perform at that time.

Betty Jo Simon brings endless enthusiasm to the stage for any occasion. A vivacious performer who enjoys intimate concert settings where she can talk with her audience, Betty Jo has a wide repertoire from which to choose. Her favorite? “Around the World with the MIDI Accordion.” She enjoys performing classical music the most, but she loves the schmaltzy stuff too and still likes to play as a strolling musician.

Her musical aptitude and love for the accordion appeared early. As a high school student, she became the first accordionist to win the instrumental division of the Youth Talent Auditions of the Topeka Civic Symphony. Betty Jo earned a Bachelor of Music in Accordion Performance from the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC), where she played the world premiere of Paul Creston’s “Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra” with the UMKC Civic Orchestra.

She participated in USO tours to Greenland, Newfoundland, Labrador and Germany, and did a two-year stint with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Betty Jo now performs as a soloist throughout the United States and internationally. In 2000 she appeared on a Chinese satellite TV musical variety program aired on Chinese New Year and went on to give concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. In 2007 she won the Maddalena Belfiore Entertainment Competition for Female Accordionist and currently leads a German polka band called The Alpen Spielers. In August 2009 she performed as soloist with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra at three different venues, one being the opening concert of the 64th Annual Coupe Mondiale (World Championship Accordion Competition).