At the age of 7-8 I began accordion lessons in Salem, Ma with Elda Angelucci. My mother had agreed to let me take lessons because my seven older siblings had taken lessons on a variety of classical instruments but easily dropped them. Therefore, when I asked about the ‘strange-looking instrument’ at an antique store, my mother told me she would let me take lessons if I wanted; I believe that she felt it didn’t matter that it wasn’t a violin, saxophone, piano, etc.! based on the lack of continued interest from my older brothers and sisters.

Moving from Wenham to Melrose in 1952, I learned that there would be accordion lessons offered at the Calvin Cooledge Middle School. I started lessons with a teacher from the Frank Gaviani Conservatory located in Kenmore Square in Boston, and remained taking from one of the studio teachers for 2-3 years before being offered the opportunity to take from Frank himself! I continued lessons with Frank in Boston for about 3 years until I left for college. While taking lessons from Frank, I was able to take part in a competition in New York City as part of his accordion orchestra playing classical music – we didn’t win, but we came close! I will always treasure my memories of Frank, Sr. who was a wonderful man and superb musician .

Classical music and music from the 1930s to 1950s is most appealing to me. I love playing music composed or arranged by Frank Gaviani and his friend Gallia-Rini among others. I am delighted to have a lovely instrument that replaced my Excelsior, damaged in a serious car accident in 1967. The damaged instrument was returned to the factory in New York, but it never felt the same to me. Having given up playing from about 1957 when I entered college until about 1989, my husband bought me an ACCTONE from Arthur and Sue Walsh in Gilmanton, New Hampshire., I was thrilled to pick up where I had left off in my teens and was motivated by joining the New Hampshire Accordion Assoc. under the leadership of the wonderful Donna Maria Regis.

Last fall, attending a meeting in Newton of the Mass Accordion Association which is much closer for me. I discovered the orchestra under David Rukhelman’s’ direction and asked if I could join – I love it! David is a fine musician who has enormous talent and ability to arrange pieces in the classical vein for us to play. Being an instrument with the capability to mimic other orchestral instruments, it’s wonderful to hear arrangements come together with the combination of violin, flute, bassoon, clarinet, oboe, etc. David’s music knowledge, his kindness in helping anyone who asks and his willingness to find ways to perfect pieces and then to actually perform them gives me a reason to practice and to improve sight reading skills. It’s wonderful to have a reason to practice, to keep dexterity in my hands, to keep lifting a 28lb. instrument [really good for maintaining strength] and to play with a group of terrific fellow accordionists under great leadership! This is both FUN and CHALLENGING!