ANDY MIRKOVICH

Andy Mirkovich was a featured accordionist at the Space Needle Restaurant in Seattle, WA. for eleven years. He studied privately under Joe Spano for 12 years, starting at age 5.  Andy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Seattle University and studied composition at the University of Washington graduate school of music.  Andy has performed with or for the following:  Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren, Dick Contino, Art VanDamm, Frank Yankovich, Liberace, Burl Ives, The Vienna Boy's Choir, Danny Kaye, Phyllis Diller, King Hussein of Jordan and the King & Queen of Norway.
He continues to perform approximately 150 engagements a year, in addition to teaching Master Classes. Andy has adjudicated in Leavenworth in the past and in many music festivals in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Yakima, Vancouver, BC and Victoria, BC. He is the founder of Andy Mirkovich Productions; the oldest and largest theatrical production agency in the Northwest.

JANET TODD

Janet Todd is one of America’s premier accordionists, an international Jazz champion and World “Old Time” Duet Champion. She has recorded for films, TV, videos, CD’s and commercials.
Janet has adjudicated U.S. accordion competitions and given music workshops nationwide and is an active accordion teacher for more than 25 years. She served as president of the Utah Music Teachers Assn.’s Salt Lake City Chapter, served on the prestigious Temple Square Concert Series Committee, and is currently vice-president of the Salt Lake Area Accordion Club. Janet received her undergraduate music theory studies at Long Beach City College and Brigham Young University.

JIM TOBLER

Jim Tobler is a prominent teacher and performer from the Seattle area.  He has judged in many competitions including Seattle, Kimberly; and this will be the seventh time in Leavenworth. His judging skills were learned from his association with many of the great teachers of the Pacific Northwest and also his longtime membership in the Northwest Accordion Teachers Association.  For the past ten years, Jim has served as President of the Seattle Chapter of the Northwest Accordion Society

ILMAR KULJUS

Ilmar Kuljus started his musical career at the age of six with his first public appearance in his native country, Estonia. His early formal training was on piano, although the accordion soon emerged as his favorite.  World War II and the invasion of the Soviet Union forced his family to leave home and seek refuge in war-torn Germany.  Here Ilmar continued his studies in refugee status and subsequently immigrated to the United States where he made his home first in Seattle and later Spokane.
In Spokane he founded the Accordia-Nova School of Accordion, a dedicated group of amateur accordionists and students.  He and his wife, Dolly (now deceased) have successfully provided musical training for hundreds of students of all ages. Ilmar has taught for 27 years in public schools and has retired from the staff at Whitworth College. He has a BA from Eastern University and a MA from the University of Washington.