President

I am the oldest of 5 children. My mother played the piano and some accordion. Through her encouragement, I started playing the accordion at age 7. My instructor, Mrs. Elaine Sullivan of New Castle DE, would come to our house once a week charging $2.85 a lesson. Mrs. Sullivan was with the Stancato National Accordion School of New York and I performed with their band. She stopped teaching when I was 13 years old due to the death of her husband.

I was drafted into the army in 1966 and served 3 years in Okinawa Japan. While in the service I studied Kempo Karate and earned a First Degree Black Belt. Upon returning to the states, I earned a Brown Belt in the form of Korean & Japanese Karate. I started teaching martial arts and became known as Karate Joe.

In 1985 I became a Third Degree Master Mason with the Lafayette Lodge #14 in Wilmington DE. I also received the Scottish Rite's 32nd Degree also in Wilmington DE.

With raising two daughters as a single parent, my career with New Castle County as a Tree Surgeon, and my interest in Antique Cars, it wasn't until 1995 that I began to play the accordion again.I began taking private instruction from Paul Packo who played the accordion professionally for 60 years. He also filled in for Myron Floren on the Lawrence Welk show. After attending an accordion festival in 1996, I joined the Acme Accordion School in Westmont NJ. I took lessons from Stanley Darrow and also played in the JR Westmont Accordion Band. I then began taking lessons from Ed Tafelski of Minquadale DE. He played as a boy and continued in the Air Force Band during WWII. He performs at various functions professionally and has raised a family with his accordion skill. He still gives instruction to myself and others today.

In the last 24 months, I have bought at least 50 accordions and placed them with people interested in taking accordion lessons. In October of 1998, Joe Alexander and Stanley Darrow founded the Delaware Accordion Club and I was appointed President. We started with six members and have grown to approximately 50 members. We meet informally every third Sunday of the month at the Jam n' Java Coffee House owned by Patrick Matic in Newark DE. We play accordions, share music, news and events and encourage newcomers to perform open-mike.

For the past two years, I have competed and won at the American Accordion Musicological Society Symposium and continue to receive instruction from Ed Tafelski. Additionally, within the last year I have created an accordion museum that was featured in the CrossRoads section of the Wilmington News Journal (4 May 2000). Many accordions have been privately donated for the preservation and appreciation of the instrument.

Most recently I joined the Closet Accordion Players of America who are dedicated to improving the image of the accordionist. I also perform at open-mike sessions at the East End Cafe in Newark DE and perform at New Castle County Christmas parties, birthdays, weddings and car shows. Recently, I have created a travelling show-tell and play.

My future plans are to continue advanced lessons and play in a more professional capacity. I am looking forward to sharing my travelling museum with churches, schools and other organizations. This fascinating instrument has enjoyed a rebirth in this new century and I am proud to be called "Accordion Joe."