Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration
Sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society
Herzlich Willkommen!
JUNE 25-28, 2026
WORKSHOPS
LIAC 2026 Workshop Information
in process of being updated
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FOR COPY OF WORKSHOP SUMMARY - Click Here
Lori Beth Brooke
If the perfect combination of Old West and Old Bavaria could be found, it would be Lori Beth Brooke; an accordionist, yodeler, and songwriter from Austin, Texas. Growing up in the Lone Star State, she was immersed in the combination of both Western and German music that has inspired much of Texas culture. She began accordion lessons at age 7 and progressed to writing her own songs at age 12. That passion for music led her to seek a Bachelor of Arts in Music. After college she continued her studies, becoming a top yodeler, a main feature of her accordion performances. Awards and accolades have followed Lori Beth throughout her career, winning the 2016 International Western Music Association Female Yodeler Award, the 2020 IWMA Western Swing Album Award, the 2020 Academy of Western Artists Female Western Performer Award, and the 2021 and 2024 Walnut Valley Festival Humorous Song Award.
Gail Campanella
Gail Campanella has a flair for the dramatic as she brings the old accordion classics to life for new audiences, which is no surprise as she began her accordion journey at a young age. She first cracked open that “mysterious suitcase” as a young girl on a farm in rural Colorado which led her to begin accordion lessons at age 10. By age 14 she was teaching her own students while studying with Anthony Pennetti in Denver. She did a piano major in college while simultaneously studying accordion with Robert Davine. She put her music skills to work professionally teaching music in the public schools of Denver and playing honky-tonk piano on weekends. This mix of skill and performance panache has brought her to performances for accordion groups all around the US and in Europe. She is a board member of the ATG, plays in Stas Venglevski’s Houston Accordion Orchestra, teaches and performs at the Rose City Accordion Camp in Oregon, and maintains an active teaching studio near her home in Santa Barbara, California.
Toby Hanson
Toby Hanson is an accordionist and bandleader who was born and raised in Graham, WA. He attended Bethel High School and Cornish College of the Arts from which he graduated Magna cum laude in 1998 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in classical composition. He has many years of experience with folk and traditional music from all over Europe and North America. He has performed at venues all across the US and Canada including the Kimberley International Old-Time Accordion Championships, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the RFD-TV Theater in Branson, MO. Toby is the leader of the Smilin' Scandinavians Polka Band and the music director of the Valse Café Orchestra.
Jan Marhoul & Student (Marek Matuška)
from Czechoslovakia
Jan Marhoul, DiS.
Home: Lipiny village, Příbram region, Czech Republic.
Background: I live in a musical family and received my first education from my parents. At age 8, I began studying accordion at ZUŠ (elementary music school) A. Dvořák in Příbram with director J. Mestl. There, I participated in various competitions and collaborated with musician/composer Milan Baginský.
In 2009, I was accepted to the Conservatory in Plzeň under Prof. Jarmila Vlachová. I participated in international competitions in Klingenthal, Germany; Reinach, Switzerland, where I achieved high placements. In 2012, I received the "Plzeňský Orfeus" award for outstanding achievements in classical music. In June 2014, I competed in the USA in Leavenworth, winning 1st place in "Solo Accordion in Classical Music" and 1st in "Accordion in Chamber Ensemble" with colleagues. We also performed a successful concert representing Czech and European music.
Since 2012, I have taught accordion, piano, electronic keyboards, chamber music, and multimedia creation at music school Sedlčany, where I founded and led the Infinity Melody orchestra.
Education & training: Conservatory Plzeň; accordion courses with Jytte von Ruden (Denmark); accordion repairs/service in Italy (Castel Fidardo, Victoria firm); sound engineering courses (Prague, J. Varhan, J. Šafařík, etc.).
Current collaborations: Petr Oukropec (Czech TV producer, Film academy prof.); Theatre Sedlčany; Michal Karban (PIGINI distributor CZ); Miroslav Paleček - Czech famous singer (studio recordings); Divadlo HOGO FOGO (tech lead: sound, lights, stage); Divadlo Ungelt (external tech: sound, lights, stage)
My student: Marek Matuška: 17 years old, studying at gymnasium in Sedlčany. He has played accordion for 3 years and piano since childhood. He will assist me with setup, demonstrations, and audience interaction during the workshop.
Be sure to attend our FREE Sessions
all held in Grange upper level
Thurs 3:00 – 4:30pm Gazebo Ensemble Rehearsal with Paul Garavaglia – FREE
(Playing in a group; Rehearse Gazebo Ensemble music)
Friday 11:00 – 12:30pm Circle Jam Session for all accordionists;
Host: Bonnie Birch – FREE
Saturday 10:45 – 11:45am Jam Session for all accordionists; Host: Rod Miller – FREE
