I studied accordion for ten years with Tulio Gasperini beginning at the age of seven. I played some parties when I was in high school and continued to do so in college. During my college years, I began switching over to piano with an interest in the Blues and R & B. I later attended the RI School of Performing Music, studying piano with Greg Wardson, Harmony with Fred DeChristofero, and other courses with Hal Crook, and played with a number of Blues, R & B, and rock bands during my twenties. At the same time, I taught accordion for a music studio (K.E.F.) for 20 years. The accordion was always my first loved instrument, and even at gigs where I was primarily playing piano I frequently brought the accordion on for several songs.

I had a hiatus from 1995 to 2005 where I practiced and played intermittently with perhaps one performance a year on the accordion. In 2005, I received an invitation to play accordion with the Blue Moon orchestra, which got me again practicing the accordion daily, and then formed Bistrobeat with whom I worked for a decade. We played a variety of original compositions and world music.

I enjoy going to accordion workshops throughout the country – Las Vegas Accordion Convention, William Schimmel’s master class in NYC, and Django in June. I have also taken accordion classes with Arrigo Tomasi, and Dallas Vietty.

At Django in June, I met some like minded musicians and we formed the Bayspring Gypsy Caravan, where I played in that ensemble for the past 5 years. I also perform as a soloist playing Musettes, Bossas, and Tango, as well as Italian and American Songbook favorites.

I am grateful for the opportunity to play in the Ruk Orchestra. I love the Tango, and 20th century orchestral music. David Rukhelman’s selections of music, arrangements, and conducting are a master class for me. The other performers and David’s direction make for a fun and inspiring experience.