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The Las Vegas International |
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StaffPaul Pasquali, Presenter Most of you know something about the guy who is both the idea man and the presenter for the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention: Paul Pasquali. He has developed the Concerto Accordion, he lives in Salt Lake City, and he’s very easy to get along with. You probably already know those things. But do you know that he began playing the accordion because he couldn’t compete at piano lessons with his sister, who was ten years older? He had to play something else, and he picked “that big thing” that Myron Floren played on TV’s The Lawrence Welk Show. Paul was eight years old. Soon Paul’s mother decided she was willing to drive Paul to the big city—Salt Lake City—so that her son could take lessons from the best teacher in Utah, Larry Pino. That worked beautifully for Paul, and he continued the lessons for ten years. By that time he was at college and playing professionally at clubs and for private parties. At college, by the way, Paul studied Graphic Arts, which explains the marvelous artistic quality of the information about the Convention he has been sending you. In graduate school in 1984, Paul began bringing electronic accordions into the Western United States from a company called ELKA in Italy. Paul has a good command of the Italian language, having spent two years in Italy while in his early twenties. In 1987, Paul moved to California and became a partner with Gordon Piatanesi, who owned Colombo Accordions, where he remained for six years. While with Gordon, Paul expanded his knowledge of the accordion business, specializing in, of course, electronic instruments. Meantime, though, he had been recognizing that there was a lot of room for improvement in the electronic accordions which were being marketed, and he began dreaming of building and marketing his own instrument. In 1992, Paul returned home to Utah and spent two years developing and refining his state-of-the-art electronic instrument, which he christened the Concerto. The Concerto is, as he says, the world’s first true digital accordion using optical sensors to effect sampled waveforms. At the same time, it is easy to use, and delivers remarkable sound quality. It is even offered in custom models, to satisfy the requirements of his many talented customers. In addition to all this, Paul has found the time to handle all the details of presenting a top-notch international convention! But what a great job he has done, creating a week of fun for accordion enthusiasts the world over! Jim Duane, Production Manager Holding a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Jim taught for many years at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. An entrepreneur and pioneer of MIDI systems for the organ, Jim is the author of a widely cited reference manual for organ repair technicians. Jim currently teaches Computer Science at Juan Diego High School in Draper, Utah, where he is also the Director of Technology. Jim is the Production Manager for the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, coordinating all Main Stage activities, including rehearsals, performances, equipment set-up, as well as countless other tasks. Jim also helps out with registration, and with the collection of meal tickets in the Grand Ballroom. Marilyn Showalter, Registration and Guest Services Manager Marilyn was born in Texas, but has lived in California since age five. Born into a musical family, Marilyn grew up playing violin and singing in a variety of choirs. Marilyn received her BS in Nursing at Texas Christian University and returned to California to practice nursing. After being married several years, Marilyn was surprised to find out that husband Danny was a closet accordionist, but she gamely attended all his lessons with teacher Paul Pasquali. Since the first Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, Marilyn has been a valuable member of the staff, spending the year preparing registration packets, meal tickets and seating charts, and merchandising materials. But it is at the convention that Marilyn’s true colors shine through with her organizational skills and natural affability. Danny Showalter, Registration and Guest Services Born in Hollywood and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Danny is a true Californian. After serving two tours of duty in Vietnam in the Naval Reserves, Danny received his BS in Anthropology at California State University, Northridge and his MS in Rehabilitation Counseling at San Diego State University. However, computer programming became his life-long profession. In 1980, he met and married the charming Marilyn. They have one child, ten-year old Kerry. At nine years of age, Danny began playing the accordion, but quit at the age of 13. As an adult he decided to return to the accordion and found an excellent instructor in Paul Pasquali. Thus began their 18-year friendship and Danny’s joining the staff of the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention where he helps with set-up, registration, crowd control, and crisis management. Eric Browning, Convention Stage Manager Eric Browning is a "techie" in every since of the word, as he loves technology in all its forms. Eric graduated from the University of Utah in 2002 with a BFA in Graphic Design, thus providing nourishment for both his artistic and programmer personalities. He is co-host on the talk radio program, "InterNet InSights," on Utah's 50,000 watt talk radio alternative, KALL 700, where he has enjoyed the years of tech-talk banter since 1998. Eric is Computer System Administrator at Juan Diego High School in Draper, Utah. Eric is the Stage Manager for the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention, where he acts as both sound and lighting technician for each and every stage performance, as well as gaff boy, best boy, stage hand - you get the picture! A man of many hats, Eric is essential to the smooth stage productions that characterize the convention. He is also an expert at cartoon voices! Preston Anderson, Event Manager Preston has just joined Accordions International & the staff of the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. Preston brings many talents with him which include being a professional sound man, PC expert and has a great experience in electronics and has worked for IOMEGA. Preston loves Europe and has traveled to, and lived in, both Europe and Asia. He is very congenial and has much to offer. We welcome Preston aboard and you will certainly see him filling many technical needs as well as helping to keep the event flowing and organized. Of interest it that Preston's the other co-host of "InterNet InSights" on Utah's 50,000 watt talk radio KALL 700. |
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