The Band Who Knew Too Much
More information coming soon.
Carolyn Connors
Pitcher is a collection of individual pieces which focus on accordion and voice. The accordion is variously slapped, shaken, played sideways, or deconstructed; sound appears as vibrating walls of tremolo or shimmering clouds of dissonance. The voice romps through a range of techniques, styles and songs.
Pitcher performances include Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne Recital Centre, Punctum (Castlemaine), 5 Walls gallery, and the Meat Market.
Carolyn Connors is a composer, pianist, singer and accordionist. Carolyn nurtures interactions (intentional, intuitive, instinctive) between voice and things to create new sonic families. Her solo vocal works use preparations (foil, trays, glass, accordion parts) with extended techniques in live performance environments.
Carolyn also collaborates to develop new ensemble works, including Stranger (Aviva Endean, 2022); Siren Song (Byron Scullin, Dark Mofo, Perth Festival, Rising Festival Melbourne); Between 8 and 9 (Castlemaine State Festival and the Melbourne Recital Centre in 2017; Chengdu, China; recipient 2017 George Fairfax New Theatre Award). She has worked with Arts Access, Chamber Made, Rollercoaster Theatre, and DVA Theatre company.
Acknowledgements include: The Age Melbourne Music Genre Award: Best experimental/avant garde act 2015; JJJ Best Female Performer, Melbourne Fringe Festival; and La Trobe University artist in residence.
George Butrumlis & Enio Pozzebon
More information coming soon.
Freshly Squeezed
Featuring Svetlana Bunic and Sofia Chapman. This scintillating accordion duo play originals in a variety of moods, tonalities and time signatures, as well as ‘Balkan Bangers’ reflecting their penchants, travels and cultural background. Freshly Squeezed first performed at events in Sydney late last century. They were very excited when the 1998 Adelaide Festival was dedicated to the accordion and they initially gatecrashed it, but then were offered a slot in the festival club by director Robyn Archer, and were interviewed on ABC radio.
Freshly Squeezed have since played at Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Jinibara land, and arts events in Naarm Melbourne and lutruwita Tasmania.
ASAVO (ASA Victoria Orchestra)
ASAVO stands for the Accordion Society of Australia Victoria Orchestra, a prominent ensemble led by Vice President Dave Evans and President Sofia Chapman. It showcases diverse accordion music, performing at events and festivals and most recently at the 2026 World Accordion Day celebrations. ASAVO features original compositions and arrangements by leaders.
The ASA Victoria Orchestra (ASAVO) is always on the lookout for new members and is inclusive of all experience levels, age, gender and musical tastes.
Prahran Accordion Band
More information coming soon.
Massed Accordion Orchestra
More information coming soon.
Workshop 1 (10.30am - 11.30am)
Lucy Riddett: Your 1st accordion lesson (beginners)
Bring your own: accordion, music stand.
Skill level: beginner, refresher.
Just picked up the accordion* and wondering where to begin? Feeling a little puzzled by all those buttons, switches, and the mysterious bellows? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place!
Join Lucy Riddett for a friendly and supportive workshop designed especially for beginners. Whether you’ve never played an instrument before or you're simply new to the accordion, this session will gently guide you through the very first steps of your accordion journey.
You’ll learn how to hold and wear your accordion comfortably, with helpful advice on straps and posture to keep you playing safely and confidently. Lucy will explain what all those switches do and help you discover the unique voice of your accordion as no two are quite the same! Not sure if your instrument is the right fit? She can help with that too.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll be playing a simple tune, learning how to use the bellows, and getting familiar with the layout of the left-hand buttons. No music-reading skills or previous experience needed. Just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!
*Suitable for piano accordions with Stradella bass system. Not sure what accordion you’ve got or don’t have one at all? Send us an email!
Workshop 2 (11am - 12pm)
Nicolino Di Sipio
More information coming soon.
Workshop 3 (11.30am - 12.30pm)
John Cave: Accordion repair & tuning workshop
More information coming soon.
Workshop 4 (12.30pm - 1.30pm)
Lucy Riddett: How to play bass patterns (beginners)
Bring your own: accordion, music stand.
Skill level: beginner, refresher.
Looking to add more rhythm and variety to your left-hand playing? If you're still getting comfortable with your accordion and want to explore more interesting bass patterns, this welcoming workshop is just for you!
Join Lucy for a relaxed and engaging session focused on the bass side of the accordion. You’ll learn the correct fingering for the bass buttons, how to play with an alternating bass, and how to make the most of the counter bass row—all explained in a friendly, easy-to-follow way.
You’ll also gain confidence in playing from sheet music that only includes a melody line with basic chord symbols and learning how to create your own bass accompaniment in both 3/4 and 4/4 time. It’s a great way to open up your playing to different styles and become a more versatile musician.
If you can read bass clef, that’s a bonus—but it’s absolutely not required. Just bring your accordion and your curiosity, and get ready to take your left-hand skills to the next level!
*Suitable for button or piano accordions with Stradella bass system. Not sure what accordion you’ve got or don’t have one at all? Send us an email!
Workshop 5 (1.30pm - 2.30pm)
Nerida Farmer: workshop/masterclass (intermediate)
More information coming soon.
Workshop 6 (2.30pm - 3.30pm)
Cathy Dowden: Alexander Technique
More information coming soon.
Seminar: History of accordion - Wang Zheng Ting, Sofia Chapman and others
Wang Zheng-Ting is a highly accomplished composer and master performer of the reed based Sheng (Chinese mouth organ), the ancient forerunner of the accordion. Graduate of the Shanghai Conservatorium of Music. PHD Melb Uni. Director of Australian Chinese Music Ensemble. Lead researcher in Chinese ethnomusicology.
Zheng-Ting has performed in sheng recitals across the world, including at the Melbourne Recital Centre; at the Schweizeriusche Musikforschende Gesellschaft, Ortsgruppe, in Zurich; at the Hoch Schule Fur Music Koln, in Wuppertal; Mahasarakham University, in Thailand; St. Paul’s School in London; and at the New York Lincoln Centre.
Zheng-Ting has also performed with the Japanese Stringraphy Ensemble in Tokyo and with the Venice Chamber Orchestra. He is also the founder and director of the Australian Chinese Music Ensemble.
As a performer of a unique classical Chinese instrument, Wang is a master of his craft, honed over years of rigorous musicological study and live performance. At this special presentation he will speak about his experiences as a renowned international composer and musical performer and his identity as a Chinese-Australian artist.
https://www.facebook.com/wangzhengting/
Sofia Chapman and Ting present an entertaining collaboration, performing original and Chinese music, and exploring the relationship between the accordion and sheng.
More information coming soon.