is one
of the Northwest’s finest accordionists performing a versatile repertoire of
American, European Continental (French, Italian, etc), and classical music.
She performs as a soloist as well as working with a wide
variety of local area musicians and singers.
Bonnie is president of the Northwest Accordion Society and
chairman of the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration.
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| Toby Hanson |
Toby Hanson is a well-studied accordionist with experience
in a wide range of styles. A graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, he
has built a career playing both with various bands and as a solo
artist. His breadth of experience encompasses various styles including
French, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Balkan, and American. Mr. Hanson is the
musical director of the Valse Café Orchestra, founder and leader of the Smilin’
Scandinavians polka band, and a member of Cowgirl’s Dream, Alchymeia, Rouge,
The Jangles, The Highball Boys, and various other ensembles. In April
2015, Mr. Hanson was privileged to serve as music director for an off-Broadway
production of “The Polish Diva From Milwaukee” in New York City.
Murl Allen Sanders, musician, composer, teacher and recording
artist, has been active in the Seattle area
 |
| Murl Allen Sanders |
music scene and across the
United States, Canada, England, Brazil and Japan. Murl has worked with
such diverse artists as Chuck Berry, Etta James, Il Divo, Glenn
Yarbrough, Brazilian accordion virtuoso Chico Chagas, virtuoso
accordionists Stas Venglevski and Gary Blair, Leroy Bell, Peter Duchin,
Alarm Will Sound, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Cascade Symphony, Everett
Philarmonic, Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers, The Von Trapp
Children, Theodore Bikel, Leslie Gore, Barbara Lamb, Susan Pascal,
Warren Rand, Pearl Django, Michael Tomlinson and Kelly Harland, among
many others. Murl teaches piano and accordion privately and is
adjunct faculty at Cornish College of the Arts and Shoreline Community
College. He has received two grants from The Seattle Mayor’s
Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs to compose “She Blows Hot and Cold”
and a grant to compose his “Accordion Concerto #2” which premiered in
2007 with Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers. His “Accordion
Concerto #1” premiered in 2003. Murl received a 2010 and 2009 ASCAP plus
awards.
Lyle Schaefer has been playing professionally for over 50
years, locally, as well as touring throughout the Midwest and overseas in
Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
As a
teenager, he won 1
st place in his age division, competing in the
1962 Washington State Teachers Association accordion competition.
After serving in the Army, 82
ndAirborne
division and a tour in Viet Nam, he returned to pursue a career in the medical
profession; at the same time becoming a popular musician, playing for all kinds
of venues, organizations, and dance clubs.
From 1998 through 2000, along with his brother, placed 1
st, 2
nd,
or 3
rd in Canada’s largest Old-time Accordion Competition.
One of the highlights was playing a
successful Pol
ka Breakfast at the Swiss Inn.
Over the years, along with recording with
other groups, has made three recordings, “Gentlemen Do Play Accordion” (1985),
“Polka Style by Lyle” (1994), and “The Schaefer Brothers Live” (1996).
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