BACKGROUND
 
Q: Where are you originally from, and where do you currently live?
​
A: I was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania.  I now live in Atlanta, Georgia, while attending college for Biomedical Engineering.


ACCOLADES
 
Q: Can you share any notable accolades or accomplishments?
 
A: During the pandemic in 2020, my grandfather dusted off his accordion he hadn't played since he was a teenager in the 1960s.  I had played piano for most of my life, but from the first time I tried his accordion, I was hooked.  Not long after, my parents surprised me with a used accordion in great condition -- the perfect starter instrument. 
 
My grandfather and I began practicing four songs he still remembered from his childhood.  Since then, our repertoire has grown to more than 50 songs, and we still set aside time every Sunday night to practice together.  Over the past year, we've also started a YouTube channel, "Pelky's Polka Party," as a way for us to share our music with friends, family, and fellow accordion enthusiasts.
 
What began as something my grandfather and I did together at home soon grew into opportunities to perform solo throughout the Erie community.  I've performed at Early Connections Erie City Center, the Regency, Niagara Village,
St. Joe's Oktoberfest, St. Luke & Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Oktoberfest, and other community events and venues. 
 
In 2021, I also joined the Polka Relations band under lead accordionist Joe Kubiak.  Between performing on my own and playing with the band, I've had the opportunity to share accordion music with audiences of all ages -- from young children to longtime polka fans.


DESIGN INSPIRATION & MEANING

Q: What's the story behind your Solloni design?  What inspired you to create your design/color? 
 
A: My design is really inspired by two accordions -- my first accordion and my grandfather's.  I wanted something that honored the classic accordion look while still feeling like my own -- stylish, but not flashy.  While designing my dream accordion, I chose the color black mainly to honor my grandfather's accordion while still having that same classic look for years to come.  
 
To put a personal spin on that classic accordion look, I chose pearl keys and buttons which really make the accordion pop against the black.  The grille idea was suggested by Kevin Solecki at Carnegie Accordion Company, which blends traditional and modern elements into something unique.  I also opted for an internal factory-installed microphone system, which helps the accordion project in larger public settings.
 
As far as my tuning choice, I really didn't know much about the different combinations, but with Kevin's guidance, I chose a -5/+15 tuning.  I really like it because it gives me a lot of versatility.  Whether I'm playing traditional polkas with the Polka Relations band or jamming with my grandfather on a Sunday night, it just feels right.


COLLABORATION & FINAL THOUGHTS
 
Q:  Looking back on the entire experience -- from collaborating on your accordion to playing the finished instrument -- what stands out most? Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
 
A: My Solloni accordion has been nothing short of a masterpiece.  The look, the sound, and the feeling all make this accordion 100% worth it.  Since getting it, the biggest difference I have noticed is the tone.  The sound quality is noticeably richer and fuller than my old accordion.  I am excited to keep growing as an accordionist alongside this instrument.  
​
Going into this process, I didn't know much about how accordions were built.  I reached out to Kevin with a lot of questions, and he responded almost immediately with clear, thoughtful answers every time.  He made the whole process smooth, checked in with updates along the way, and went the extra mile, including walking me through the tuning options until we landed on my desired option, which turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.