Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration
Sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society
Herzlich Willkommen!
JUNE 20-23, 2024
2023
JUDGES
Private Coaching
with John Giuliani, Joey Miskulin, Bonnie Birch
A PERSONALIZED COACHING OPPORTUNITY
A PRICELESS OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM A SELECTION OF YOUR CHOICE BEFORE ONE OF OUR PERFORMING ARTISTS WHO STARTED OFF JUST LIKE YOU DID AND WHO WILL APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR AND WILL OFFER YOU SOME TOOLS TO FURTHER ENHANCE YOUR ABILITIES AND YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC.
PRIVATE COACHING TIMES
FRIDAY: BETWEEN 9:30 AND 11:30 am
SATURDAY: BETWEEN 9:30 AND 11:30
COST $20
For a very reasonable price, you can get valuable feedback which will enhance and supplement current practice and studies.
To register, go to the "Registration Form" under the "Competition" section.
Joey Miskulin
Joey Miskulin is a multiple Grammy Award winning American accordionist and producer. In a music career spanning more than six decades, Joey has collaborated with a range of artists including Frankie Yankovic, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Paul McCartney, Ricky Skaggs, U2, Shania Twain, as well as many others. He is a member of the Grammy Winning Grand Ole Opry quartet "Riders In The Sky." Miskulin is an award winning performer, studio musician, and record producer.
Alicia Jo Straka
Alicia Jo Straka (previously Alicia Baker) is a professional accordionist, singer, pianist, and composer from Portland, OR, currently residing in Denver, CO. Throughout her career, Alicia has won multiple International accordion competitions, worked as an artist for the prestigious Roland Corporation, sung leading operatic roles, and has performed at many notable venues including Carnegie Weill Hall and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Thanks to her love of academia, Alicia has earned 3 Bachelor of arts degrees from Oregon State University; piano performance, vocal performance, and choral music education, in addition to a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from University of Colorado Boulder - all of which were funded by full-ride scholarships. Versatility has always been a point of pride, which is highlighted through her diverse repertoire; jazz, Parisienne, pop, funk, opera, polka, and techno; to name a few. Alicia currently spends her time performing, teaching private students, composing and arranging. Most recently, she crowd-funded, recorded, and designed her new album called “Doin’ Just Fine”, which features original music composed in the French jazz genre. You can pick up a copy, and find additional information, at her website: www.aliciajostraka.com .
Andy Mirkovich
Andy studied accordion starting at the age of five. He graduated with a B.A. in Music from Seattle University and studied composition at the University of Washington, Graduate School of Music.
He was the featured performer at the Space Needle Restaurant in Seattle, for 11 years, and has performing experience in radio, television, movies and concerts.
He has performed with or for many artists, including Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, Dick Contino, Frank Yankovich, Liberace, Burl Ives, The Vienna Boy's Choir, King Hussein of Jordan, and the King and Queen of Norway.
He continues to perform and teaches Master Classes. He’s adjudicated and performed at music festivals in Leavenworth, Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Yakima, Vancouver, BC and Victoria, BC.
He has a knack for playing just what his audience loves to hear. Accompanying Andy will be one of our favorites, John Giuliani with his bass.
Beverley Fess
Beverley Fess is a Master accordion and piano teacher from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada. Classically trained, she started playing the accordion at age 6, was teaching by age 14 and conducting by age 17. She competed extensively and has had many award-winning students and ensembles. Besides teaching and performing, Bev is the conductor of the Spokane Accordion Ensemble.
Beverley is very proud of helping develop Michael Bridge to international competition level. She has trained teachers, adjudicated at accordion music festivals, served as conductor of several accordion ensembles and orchestras, served as a music examiner, sat on the executive committees of several accordion associations and runs frequent workshops. She is a founding member and current board member of the Accordion Association of Calgary, member of numerous other accordion associations and a current board member of the ATG.
Bev has dedicated most of her life to music education and promoting the accordion. Beverley recently celebrated 50 years of accordion teaching. In recognition of her time and dedication to the instrument was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Accordions & Teachers Guild International in 2016 and was awarded the Art Van Damme Education Award at the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention also in 2016.