Accordion
Joe Regina
Tom Zerecheck
Vince Ramos - President
Ed Karish
Dolores Baumann
Becky Simmons
Megumi Hada
Bill Palmer Jr.
Stephen Regina
Beautiful Days
Liberty Palileo
Pino Virga.
Ross Whitte
Marylin Monsivais
Joe Brikha
Dr. Daniel Corredor
Charlie and Becky's Grandaughter
Ken Hanslik
Martina Mai Li
Shelia Lee
Pedro Gemin
Ali Haghshenas
Charles Sudholt
Norbert Welk
Charles Pace
Kim Parker
Nathan Gatch
Mike Kelley
Mark Ropel
Dr. Wan Yang
Sheriff Milton Wright
Elia Davila
June Gentry
Peter Widmark
Pictures of Members
Mario Pedone
P.O. Box 1535 Sugar Land, TX 77487-1535
Texan by birth, after high school I played saxophone and accordion with some regional bands and attended 2 years at U of T, Austin thinking that I wanted to be a music teacher. In 1961, I moved to Detroit and I soon started playing the local club scene.
My first sales job was with a large Music Retailer in Allen Park, MI where I soon became store manager. After working there for about 2 years I was offered a sales rep position and traveled for La Playa Distributing Co., a regional Musical Merchandise Distributor from Detroit. Soon I was tapped for a sales rep position with Chicago Musical Instrument Co. aka CMI owners of Gibson Guitars, Cordovox, Farfisa, Pearl Drums and many other leading brands of musical instruments. CMI helped me by supporting me through advanced schooling in Marketing and Merchandising. That lasted from 1968 through 1975.
In 1975 the M. Hohner Co. of Germany offered me a position traveling Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic and Mexico. At that point I moved from Detroit to Sugar Land, TX where I currently reside..
My stint with M. Hohner lasted through 1978.
In my sales career I have been involved with brands such as: Gibson Guitars, Epiphone, Cordovox, Farfisa, Pearl Drums, Hohner, Korg Synthesizers, Marshall Amps, Olds Band Instruments, Meisel Symphonic Stringed Instruments, KETRON Keyboards and Gabbanelli Accordions.
In 1978 my volume of work in the performance market grew to the point that I decided to dedicate my time to playing social events through the top Entertainment Agencies in Houston.
Beside the many corporate events, convention and theme work through the agencies I have played galas for Hispanic organizations such as: Institute of Hispanic Culture (Noche de Las Americas Ball & Dia de la Raza), Mexico Bello, Club Azalea, Familias Unidas, many weddings, anniversaries, The Italian Festival, the Houston International Festival etc., and this year was my 18th year to play for the McDonalds Hispanic Owners HACER scholarship awards luncheon.
I continue my career as a professional Musician and Band Leader. I am a member of the IHCH and have been a member of Rotary International since 1986.
I have 2 children, Vincent Ramos, phd and Michelle Meza who have provided me with 7 grand children.
Vince Ramos Vincent G. Ramos
Cell: 281-204-7716 Tel: 281-242-3049 ramusica@windstream.net
Shelia is a dynamic accordion performer. Well versed in multiple styles and with a large repertoire, she can entertain solo or with a band for many different style venues - from formal concerts, festivals, conventions, restaurants, cruise ships to house parties, backyard barbeques, and street performer. Styles include: Italian, German, Tex-Mex, Country, Standards, and Party Songs. She has taught workshops all over the US – including 4 trips to the Fairbanks Alaska Summer Arts Festival. She currently is the owner of Houston Accordion Performers / Heritage Arts Productions – a music studio that teaches piano keyboard, chromatic, and diatonic accordion as well as bass, bajo, and guitar. They are a certified Roland and Hohner Dealer and have a large inventory of new and used accordions – as well as a certified accordion repairman on the premises. Please contact her at cell – 281-788-6667 or studio – 281-780-8656
Beer Barrel Polka
Mario Pedone was born on October 5, 1951, in Valenzano a small town near Bari, in Southern Italy. In an effort to improve the family's financial situation the Pedone‘s immigrated to Valencia, Venezuela in 1959.
On March 24, 1972 Mario graduated as a " CONCERTISTA " from the school " ACADEMIA DE ACORDEON SMITH " directed by Roberto Ruscitti. In March of 1974 he earned a " CUM LAUDE " Diploma in accordion from the same school. On April 30, 1976 Mario graduated with a degree of " PROFESSOR OF ACCORDION " from the same school. After graduation Mario founded his own accordion school " ACADEMIA DE ACORDEON LATINA " where he had over 125 students. Most of his former students are now playing professionally. Mario was also member and co-founder of the " ORQUESTA LATINA " together with famous Spanish singer Esteban Abarca. The Orquesta Latina performed all over Venezuela. Mario has won numerous championships with both the Accordion and the Organ.
In 1981, in search of a better future, Mario moved to Sugar Land, Texas with his wife and children. He continues to perform professionally in many countries. From 1985 to 2003 Mario
Performed in the German Restaurant
( THE OLD HEIDELBERG ). At the moment Mario performs with Liberty Palileo at the Italian Restaurant ( Fornos of Italy ) every Friday and Saturday. He has his own recording studio in Sugar Land where he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. His musical range includes, but is not limited to Classical, Latin, European, American Standards. He also produces CDs for other musicians.
Mario was invited to perform in the Famous Accordion Festival celebrated in Ransäter Sweden and has also performed at concerts in Dallas, Austin, Boston, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria BC, San Francisco and other places in California, Las Vegas, Florida, Seattle, Portland, New Mexico and others USA States
Also Beijing and Shenyang China , Yucatan Mexico .
Last July 2008 and 2010 Mario was invited to perform with Houston Symphony
Hi Mario:DANIEL G CORREDOR,MDFrom Colombia,South AmericaMarried,four children, seven grandchildrenPhysician/Endocrinologist/solo Practice/Stafford,TxMember of Amercan Medical Association Harris County Medical Society Texas Medical Association American Association Clinical Endocrinologists Hispanic American Medical Association of Houston University of Texas Medical School,Voluntary Faculty St Laurence Catholic Parish Casa Juan Diego ,Physician Volunteer
Hobbies: Music, Playing Accordion,Piano and
Fishing
Joe Brikha has played the accordion since the age of thirteen. He is a student of Mario Pedone, having studied with Mario for nearly two years. He also studied Music Theory in college. He is a semi-professional accordionist and has played at many festivals, weddings, and other venues. He specializes in Traditional European music, mainly French and Italian. He is past president and founding member of Bay Area Accordion Club. His accordion website is
I Love the Accordion, I started to play
when I was 65 years old.
I learn a lot from Mario Pedone.
I consider accordion music very good
therapy for myself ( heart, soul )
I'm so happy, very happy.
Cleveland Polka
Shelbey Simmons
Martina, born on the western plateau in China, began her accordion career when she was 7 years old. She studied under Dingcheng Zhang and went on to win the Gold Medal for Solo Accordion at China's 2002 National Competition for Young Art Talents.
In 2008 Martina moved to Austin, Texas to do her graduate studies at the University of Texas. Having earned her Masters of Public Affairs and Master of Music degrees, she continues her studies at UT for her PhD in Ethnomusicology, focusing on the preservation and promotion of traditional music.
Ms. Li was a member of the University Javanese Gamelan Ensemble. She traveled throughout Texas performing with the Daniela Ruiz Tango Trio. In July 2009, 2010, and 2011 Martina performed at the American Accordionist's Association's annual Master Class Concert Series in New York City as well as at the 2012 National Accordion Convention. She is a member of the San Antonio Accordion Association and the ATG (Accordion Teachers Guild. Since April, 2012 she has studied privately under Mario Pedone.
Martina spent the early part of this summer in Hong Kong as a Cultural Liason, organizing cultural activities for UT Business School students studying abroad.
The Mongolian Fantasy
Toccata and Fugue in D minor J. S. Bach
Stephen Regina was born in Houston, Texas in September 1988. He had played the cello for a year while in third grade, but did not want to continue. In 1999 when his grandfather, Pietro Regina, passed away he received an accordion as a legacy. Stephen was immediately taken by this strange and unknown instrument. He begged his father to find him a teacher until his father complied. He began taking lessons with Mario Pedone in November 1999, and his love for the instrument has grown along with his skill.
In January 2004 Stephen acquired a new accordion Serenellini “Sera”, an accordion with 5 treble reeds without a tone chamber, so that he can play with the French Musette sound and yet still retain the full and clear sound of a normal accordion.
Stephen’s musical interest include a broad range of Modern American, Jazz, Italian, French, German, Russian and Latin American songs.
In May 2005, in a competition among all the best French students in the greater Houston area, he was selected by the American Association of Teachers of French as one of three winners of a scholarship to France. To increase is knowledge and appreciation of French culture, in July, Stephen spent 3 weeks living with a French family as an exchange student. To learn more about his French experience click on the “Passport to Learning” tab.
In the fall semester of 2007, Stephen will begin his studies at Trinity University in San Antonio.
Czardas
President of the
Jorge Ortiz
M. P. Kelly (no relation to R. Kelly) is a veteran piano and keyboard player from the Chicago area, who began accordion lessons at the age of 7. A six week trail period turned into six months, which turned into six years, and more. Piano lessons were later added to his education. His music instruction included five years of classical training; however, at the age of 13, he acquired an insatiable appreciation for jazz, which remains to this day. At the age of 16, Kelly was accepted as a student of world renowned jazz accordionist Leon Sash. He remained a Leon Sash disciple until Mr. Sash’s death in 1979. Although no stranger to commercial playing, Kelly’s first love is jazz, influenced by the styles of Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Bud Powell, and of course, Leon Sash.
Mike
Chromatic Carnival
Son of a Gun
Il Miglior Tango
Pino's Compositions
Phantom of the Opera and the Music of the Night
Besame Mucho
Polka
Santa Lucia
Over The Rainbow
La Cumparsita
Ali Haghshenas
Araz Mechanical Service Inc.
Air Conditioning & Commercial Refrigeration
281-513-1515
Once in a While
Jingle Bell Rock
La Casita
Beer Barrel Polka
Charade
Vince Ramos, Representing the wonderful Ketron Keyboard, Gabbanelli Accordion and others Musical Instruments.
My mother made me do it! I have her to thank for instilling the love of music that I have now. I used to sit and watch her play the accordion when I was young. She got me a 12-base accordion on which I took a year's lessons when I was about 7. After that, I didn't do much with it. But later on, she taught me three chords on the piano (C, G, and F).
When I got out of college, my passion turned to piano. So, I taught myself to play (learning all the bad habits). My first song was Jethro Tull's Aqualung which took 6 months to get it somewhat passable. For years, I would practice the piano on and off. About the same time, I got my first guitar and reasoned that if I didn't learn it very well, I would not have lost too much.
So, over the many past years, I have been playing piano and guitar and having a good time with it. Just a few years ago, my mother gave me her accordion (120-base), the one that I have now. I got it overhauled because a couple of the base keys were sticking.
Then, I have to blame Mario for getting me interested in the accordion again! I found that all the practicing I did with the piano and the guitar could be leveraged to allow me to play songs on the accordion that I had never thought possible. So, I'm enjoying the experience at the accordion club.
I spent over 20 years working on oil tankers and made the rank of Captain. I worked as a consultant and auditor for management systems for several years and now I work for an offshore drilling company as the Quality Manager. The job keeps me very busy and is very rewarding.
His first teacher was Franco Cupertino, Mario devoted at least 4 to 5 hours per day practicing, professor Miguel Casas Augé, founder and Director of the Valencia Accordion Club also Conductor of the Valencia Symphony Orquesta, assumed Mario's Accordion Education. He was followed by Professor Roberto Ruscitti, a renowed classical Accordionist, who took care of Mario's education for the next 7 years.
Dr. Megumi Hada is a scientist work for NASA, originally from Japan. She started to study accordion on 2012. She is taking lessons from Shelia Lee and Mario Pedone. She loves to play (and dance) tango.
Ali Haghshenas, garmon player, was born and raised in historic Tabriz, the capital city of the East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. Mr. Haghshenas began his musical training at a yung age and studied with several musicians in his city, including Master Ali Farshbaf. When the first music school was established in Tabriz, Mr. Haghshenas was asked to teach. He has trained many talented garmon and accordion students and today his students perform in many concert halls inside and outside the country. On the year 2000 Mr. Haghshenas moved with his entire family to Texas. He remains active in his art, performing frequently throughout the United States.
Marali
Annie Ge
James
Bee Bednar
Michael Ji
