The Jarosh Accordion Ensemble from Calgary, Canada will perform at the 2015 ATG Festival in Lisle, Illinois in July. Jarosh has been a dedicated music instructor and orchestra conductor for 35 years. Teaching music began as a way to finance her visual arts degree and has since become her full time career. She was introduced to her first accordion lesson at age 14, and received a grade 10 practical diploma, with honors, at 19. Shortly after college she found herself teaching in three studios with up to 120 students per week.
Since 1984, Maureen has operated her own music studio teaching accordion, piano and music theory from her home. In coordination with other local accordionists in Calgary, Maureen and her colleagues have created a not for profit society to promote the instrument in Alberta and the Calgary area. The Accordion Association of Calgary is now celebrating its 26th year of cultural excellence.
With the collaboration of all past and present students, Maureen has created a dynamic accordion orchestra. The Jarosh Ensemble is an entity of its own. Under Maureen’s direction the group presents original, innovative and eclectic music for an accordion ensemble and has travelled to music festivals all over North America as well as hosted international accordion groups on several occasions.
Local opportunities have given Maureen the chance to showcase the Jarosh Accordion Ensemble in performances with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Buckwheat Zydeco, and on stage with the Canadian artists The Barenaked Ladies. Her commitment to community has led to benefit performances for UNICEF, Music missions in Central America, Haiti earthquake relief effort and support of arts and culture throughout southern Alberta.
The Jarosh ensemble performed at the 2013 Coupe Mondiale in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Maureen’s future projects will be inspired and diverse. One such project will be working with the Canadian Music Centre to present more accordion information and content at the Cantos Museum and concerts to showcase the accordion in a more current context.
