Click here to return to the featured members list
| Central Florida Accordion Club Featured Member for March, 2004 Mardelle Bailey |
| "I had asked about playing piano, but since it was the time of Myron Floren and Lawrence Welk, my aunt suggested I try the accordion.". |
| I was born in the small town of Warsaw, not in Poland but Indiana. My family brought me to Lakeland, Florida when I was 10 and it was there I began accordion lessons at the age of 13. I had asked about playing piano, but since it was the time of Myron Floren and Lawrence Welk, my aunt suggested I try the accordion. We bought my first instrument for around $200.00. |
| My first teacher's name was Mrs. Fisk. A strict but fair teacher, she asked us to practice hard and involved me with an Accordion band. Six months after my first lesson, I played a recital at the Tuesday Music Club. The music had to be memorized and I performed before parents and guests. The accordion band performed as well. We played at schools, the old Lakeland Civic Center, and for other special events. |
| June, 2003 |
December, 1962
Spring of 1962
| I played at the 'Amber G' for the Lakeland Ledger Christmas party and our photo appeared in the paper. During the 2 years I took lessons from Mrs. Fisk, our group at a state competition in West Palm Beach. There, I had the honor of playing for Anthony Gallarini. I received 'honorable mention' for my performance and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. One thing I remember about Mrs. Fisk. . . she taught stage presence, to do our best, and how to enjoy yourself when performing. She brought out the talent in each of us. I took lessons 2 more years from Mr. Powella at the Lakeland School of Music and was again involved with playing special events. |
| After marriage, I gave up playing until a friend in my church encouraged me play at services. Later, I accompanied my two boys singing. We performed at the Central Florida Missionary Baptist Churches. My oldest son plays piano and we performed a duet for one of our National Missionary Baptist Conferences. Currently, I play at nursing homes, and perform for worship services and sing along hours. I use my accordion in the school system to introduce children to the instrument. In addition to the CFAC, I am also member of the Florida Accordion Association. Many CFAC members have encouraged me to practice and improve my music. As a result, I have fallen in love with the accordion again. Thank you very much. Thank you for naming me “Featured Member” for March. This means a lot to me. |
