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Bonnie
Birch - Sample Performances:
* Solo concerts at accordion clubs and festivals including Bay Area
Accordion Club, Northwest Accordion Society, San Diego Accordion Club,
Leavenworth, Cotati, Las Vegas, Orlando, Chemainus B.C.
* Downtown Seattle restaurants and clubs: Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle Tennis
Club, Serafina's, Pink Door, Il Bacio
* Festa Italiana, Worldfest, Cultural Crossroads, Seattle Center Dances,
Seattle's Folklife Festival
* Musicals such as Cabaret; guest accordionist in orchestras
* Member of Tango Divino and the Vagabond orchestra
* Organizer and accompanist for Ballroom Dance and Argentine Tango
exhibitions
* Performances with Opera Singers and Cabaret Singers
* Private parties including wedding receptions and anniversaries
* Officer and Past President of Northwest Accordion Society
Background Information:
Bonnie began accordion lessons at the age of 7. Her primary teacher up to
the age of 19 was Thorild Swanson from Stancatto School of Accordion. Thor
was a classically trained musician on the piano and organ and was noted for
his attention to detail and desire for perfection. With his guidance, Bonnie
developed excellent technique, music reading skills, performing skills, and
the appreciation of practice and patience. She was a consistent winner at
the Washington Accordion Teachers competitions culminating in a trip to New
York for an international competition and a performance in Carnegie Hall.
While attending the University of Washington, Bonnie discovered the budding
field of computers and decided on a career as a Computer Systems Programmer
specializing in large mainframe operating systems. After obtaining her
degree in Mathematics, Bonnie worked for companies such as Bank of America,
Seafirst Bank, Computer Sciences Corp., Control Data Corp., Scientific Data
Systems, and Ames Research Center.
Currently, Bonnie is retired from the computer field and is a fulltime
musician. This includes performing in many diverse situations and with many
other skilled musicians, which includes studying. Bonnie is
concentrating on jazz studies and has studied with highly reputable artists
such as Marc Seales, Doug Miller, Randy Halberstadt, Fred Hoadley, and Marc
Fendell. She has also studied with respected accordionists Ken Olendorf and
Gary Dahl. Bonnie continues to attend classes and workshops to broaden
her musical skills. She has a strong desire to see the accordion take its
deserved position of respect amongst other well-established instruments.
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