Accordionist Jessica Faltot will present the world premiere of “Time is Once Again” by her former teacher, Gene Van, on Friday evening, August 5, 2011, at a benefit concert in South Bend, Indiana, entitled “Accordions Extraordinaire.” The Gene Van Accordion Orchestra will perform on this concert.
Jessica began playing the accordion at the age of nine. Her mother played the accordion which peaked her interest. Having moved to South Bend, Indiana, her parents signed her up for lessons with Gene Van.
At the time Gene owned an accordion studio that had a large group of students who played in ensembles, bands and aspired to be a part of the accordion symphony. Gene was also very active in building the Indiana Accordion Association where at one point there were over 1,000 children competing and playing together in bands and ensembles. J
Jessica’s summers were spent working towards the American Accordion Association national contests.
Jessica said, ” I am still delighted at the versatility and range of music that can be played on the accordion. Due in part to the IAA and AAA /ATG contests, I was taught and learned how to play a great deal of classical music. As a member of the Gene Van Accordion Symphony we were playing P. I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony n.6 “Pathétique”, Night On Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – Russian Easter Festival Overture when we were teenagers. The benefits of learning how to play with a group and under a conductor have proven valuable today as I’ve had the privilege of playing with the Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkins conductor and several other orchestras’s and bands.”
“I’ve enjoyed having great opportunities due in part to my association with the National Accordion Association. It was through the NAA that I was given the opportunity to work and play with John Mackey, the Texas A&M Commerce Wind Symphony playing John’s piece “Sasparilla” in addition to playing at the Mort Meyerson concert hall with the Dallas Wind Symphony. The yearly festival held by the NAA is always a pleasure to participate in as well as attend and listen to the other artists and accordion aficionados”
Jessica did not play her accordion for 30 years except for a few occasions. Seven years ago, she rekindled her interest in performing, contacted Gene, and now feels privileged to have the opportunity to introduce his new and valuable addition to the accordion repertoire, “Time is Once Again”.
Over the years,Jessica has participated in many competitions and prestigious concerts including the
Indiana Accordionist Association State Virtuoso Champion – 1st Runner-up & 2nd Runner-up; 2 time Indiana representative at the American Accordionist Association U.S. Virtuoso competition (highest level of competition in U.S.); Member of the Gene Van Accordion Symphony & Ensemble which won various U.S. Championships; Guest musician with Rebecca Ratliff / 2 Accordions featured in concert at The CrossRoads, Winnsboro Texas, Mt. Vernon Music and Arts Association, Trails County Center for the Arts; Guest artist various local symphony concerts including featured artist with the Lewisville Lake Symphony (classical accordion) Texas A&M Commerce Wind Symphony, Wood County Orchestra and Dallas Wind Symphony; Invited member of the first World Accordion Orchestra under the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers.
Presently, Jessica is the owner of Top SEO Marketing, an online search marketing company that increases the visibility and businesses of companies online- in the rankings and local market places.
The concert will be recorded and made available for purchase on DVD and CD at a later date. Proceeds from the sales will be directed to the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism ‘Climb Project’ and to the Mennonite Disaster Service.
For further information:
Genevanmusic@yahoo.com
jfaltot@topseomarketing.com
