Pat Racioppa started playing the accordion at the age of eight. Like a lot of children in the 1950s, his introduction to the instrument was “the call” to his parents from the local music school. “Mrs. Music” offered ten lessons and the use of an accordion for the small fee of $20. Plus, Pat would be picked up, and then brought back home from these lessons.

After ten weeks, all students would be evaluated. If parents chose to continue the child’s accordion lessons, it would cost them $400 for a new accordion. However, as some time passed, Pat’s father noticed that his son was not really progressing. After inquiring, it was discovered that Pat’s teacher was only a few weeks ahead of him in these free lessons. It was time for a new teacher.

Pat continued to play until he graduated from high school. Then he joined the Navy, married his high school sweetheart Connie, and started a family. As happens so often, the accordion was placed in the closet, coming out only at Christmastime and for family gatherings. He basically stopped playing for almost 20 years.

In 1984, Pat’s job took him to Yakima, Washington. While looking for piano lessons for his daughter in Yakima, he came across Maletta Deccio Studio, where he resumed accordion lessons with Al Maletta, Sr. With Al’s excellent guidance and friendship, the love of the accordion was rekindled in Pat and remains strong to this day.

The Racioppas returned to the east coast when Pat was again transferred and are currently living near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  When Pat retired and was looking for a new challenge, he began repairing and rebuilding accordions. An excellent woodworker, handyman and accordionist, venturing into the world of accordion repair seemed like the perfect solution to fill his newly acquired free time. He was fortunate enough to be taken under the wings of a few master repairmen who assisted him along the way.

Pat’s basement is a delightful, immaculate repair shop and shrine to the accordion. He also builds and sells beautiful wooden accordion stands that look like fine pieces of furniture. My accordion proudly rests on one of his stands when not being played.

Pat performs regularly in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the Washington, DC area. He and Connie are very active in the Washington Metropolitan Accordion Society.