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Resume & Performing Venues

Accordion music for all occasions played with virtuosity and class

Briefly:

Bonnie Birch is one of the Northwest’s finest accordionists performing a versatile repertoire of American, European Continental (French, Italian, etc), and classical music.

Bonnie performs as a soloist as well as working with a wide variety of local area musicians and singers. Her varied audience includes restaurants, weddings, corporate events, family events, and artistic organizations.

Bonnie is president of the Northwest Accordion Society and chairman of the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration,

Resume & Performing Venues:

 •Solo concerts at accordion clubs and festivals including San Francisco Accordion Club, Northwest Accordion Society, San Diego Accordion Club, Leavenworth, Cotati, Las Vegas, Orlando, Chemainus B.C.

•Leads a ballroom dance combo for various community dances

•Downtown Seattle restaurants and clubs: Ristorante Picolinos, Café Campagne, Maximilien French Restaurant, Broadmoor Country Club, Sandpoint Country Club, Seattle Yacht Club, Seattle Tennis Club, Seattle Art Museum

•Festa Italiana, French American Chamber events, Cultural Crossroads, Seattle's Folklife Festival, Taste of Edmonds

•Performances with Opera Singers and Cabaret Singers

•Private Parties including wedding receptions and anniversaries

•Guest accordionist in combos and orchestras

•Chairman and producer of the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration

•Producer of Seattle's Day of the Accordion

•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 performing with many other skilled musicians. It also includes studying. Bonnie is concentrating on jazz studies and has studied with highly reputable artists such as David Friesen, Marc Seales, Doug Miller, Randy Halberstadt, Fred Hoadley, and Marc Fendell. She also studied with respected accordionist Ken Olendorf. Bonnie is continually attending classes and workshops to broaden her musical skills. She has a strong desire to see the accordion take it's deserved position of respect amongst other well-established instruments.

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