Guest Artists
We have a great lineup of guest artists for this year's festival. Evening concerts will be held on the campus of the University of Utah at Libby Gardner Hall.
Joey Miskulin
Joey Miskulin, an accordionist and vocalist with Riders In The Sky, is affectionately known as “The CowPolka King.” In homage to his background as the featured accordionist with Frankie Yankovic, “The Polka King,” beginning when he was only 13 years of age. But that appellation only scratches the surface of this multitalented musician who made his first recordings when he was six years old. He has recorded with a long list of notables including Roy Rogers. In addition to the accordion, he also plays bass, banjo, piano, guitar and organ. He also sings, soloing as well as harmonizing with Riders In The Sky when they sing in four-part harmony on stage and on recordings.
His career as a producer has also been remarkably successful, including among his achievements the firstever Grammy Award-winning polka album (1985). He has produced recordings for WMA Hall of Famers Marty Robbins, The Sons of the San Joaquin, Don Edwards, Michael Martin Murphey, Johnny Cash and, of course, a number of Riders In The Sky albums (including their two Grammy winners). These successful, high-profile projects have played an important role in bringing top-quality recordings of Western Music to large audiences in the US and abroad.
Joey has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cleveland-style Polka Hall of Fame and he has received the Instrumentalist of the Year Award from the Western Music Association in 2002 and 2006. Joey Miskulin was elected to the WMA Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to Western Music both as a musician and a producer.
Radu Ratoi
Praised for his originality, versatility, and virtuosity, Radu Ratoi is an award-winning accordionist redefining the instrument’s possibilities. He is the winner of some of the most prestigious international competitions, including the 2024 YCA “Susan Wadsworth” International Auditions in New York and the Leonnie Sonning Talent Prize, Denmark’s most esteemed music award. He has also been honored with the "Master in Arts" Award by the President of Moldova for his outstanding achievements.
​
Radu was appointed as a soloist with The National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova since 2024, captivating audiences worldwide with his technical brilliance and musical depth. With over 60 national and international awards, he is the only accordionist to have won the world’s six most important competitions in both Classical and Entertainment Musiccategories.
​
A pioneer in expanding the accordion’s repertoire, Radu has arranged works by J.S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, F. Liszt, and more, including his recordings of Greatest Organ Works for Accordion (2022) and 12 Transcendental Etudes (2023). He has performed at iconic venues such as Berlin Philharmonic, Radio Concert House Copenhagen, and Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.
Radu plays a custom Pigini Nova - RR and is represented worldwide by Young Concert Artists, Inc.
Stas Venglevski
Stas Venglevski is a bayanist, composer, conductor, arranger, entertainer and a teacher and hisextensive repertoire includes his original compositions and a broad range of classical, contemporary and ethnic music. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States and most recently in South Africa. Numerous U.S. performances include performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen and Garrison Keillor on thePrairie Home Companion Show.
He has performed with symphony orchestras in Europe and throughout the United States, includingthe Anchorage, Grand Florida, and Detroit symphony orchestras in the opera production of Frida, and with the University of Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in 2003 for the official World Premiere of the Concerto No. 2 in D minor. It marked the first time the piece had been performed in its entirety with a symphony orchestra. He has performed the concerto on multiple occasions since, with the Tacoma, Colorado Jefferson and Racine symphony orchestras, and with that of Nurenberg,Germany.
For over 25 years he has been a regular participant in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Arts in Community Education program (ACE). He’s done television commercials and performed in theater and opera productions; produced 31 recording albums, including a transcription of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite for Bayan, as well as original compositions. Additionally, he has published several books of original compositions.
For the past 10 years he has been the Artistic Director of the Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreatand in 2021 he was named Artistic Director of A World of Accordions Museum (AWAM) in Superior,Wisconsin. He is a past President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild and currently serves on its board. Most recently, he has joined the faculty of the Music Department of the University of Wisconsin, Superior, WI.
In 2023, he established the Stas Venglevski Music Foundation, SVMF. The aim is to revolutionizethe world of accordion by inspiring young people to embrace the fine arts, empowering them tocreate music, honing their performance skills as soloists and with orchestras, and giving themopportunities to compose and debut new music. In addition to the core mission, the foundation iscommitted to expanding public knowledge of art and music and supporting impactful culturalinitiatives worldwide.
In February of 2025, Stas performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall
UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble
We are always delighted to have the UMKC Community Accordion Ensemble perform at the ATG festival and this year is no exception. Under the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers, the ensemble continues to be the premier classical accordion ensemble in the United States.
​
​Most of the players in the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Community Accordion Ensemble are alumni of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and former members of the renowned UMKC Accordion Orchestra. The players make their living in various careers, but each has remained devoted to promoting the accordion and its varied repertoire, including transcriptions, commissions and other original works.
Workshops
Master Class with Radu Ratoi: A Study in Virtuosity
Join us for an exclusive educational experience featuring one of the most celebrated young artists in the contemporary accordion world, Radu Ratoi. Known for his extraordinary technique and profound musicality. Ratoi will lead a dynamic master class designed to pull back the curtain on elite performance standards.
The session will feature a live instructional demonstration with accordion student George Voorhees. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to witness a professional critique in real-time, as Ratoi works with George to refine nuances of phrasing, bellows control, and technical precision.
Interactive Workshop:
Joaquín Muñoz Donoso - Music Where the World Ends Ensemble
Paricipation Required: Bring Your Accordion
​
In this practical workshop, we will explore "unknown" Latin rhythms, giving participants the opportunity to discover and arrange unique pieces. Knowledge of reading sheet music at any level and having an accordion is required. Most importantly, participants should have a desire to explore and learn about unconventional music. Additionally, we will discuss the cultural characteristics of each composition, enriching the musical experience for all attendees.
​
Music will be made available prior to the workshop
Presentation:
Myron Floren Memories and Preparation for a Professional Carreer: Heidi Floren
Heidi Floren, the daughter of Myron Floren will take a walk down memory lane including Myron's ideas on how to have a successful musical carreer. Heidi will have some Myron Floren "memorabilia" to show to ATG members. Some of this memorabilia with also be available for auction at the Friday night Gala Banquet.
​
Workshop with Michael Bridge: Eleven Types of Bellow Shakes
Dr. Michael Bridge demonstrates 11 bellows shakes with musical examples—from the half-shake to the pentuple ricochet. A handout and practice instructions will be provided.
The Accordion, The Child and Neuroscience:
Joaquín Muñoz Donoso
A child between the ages of 4 and 7 possesses a brain in an explosion of connectivity. The accordion represents the ultimate neurocognitive challenge: it demands massive transcallosal synchronization by coordinating the bellows, bass, and keyboard simultaneously. To prevent cognitive burnout, this method employs progressive coding, respecting biological rhythms. We do not saturate the mind with abstract theory; instead, we nourish the somatosensory cortex through embodied cognition. By embracing the instrument, the child constructs their sensory homunculus and activates goal-oriented dopamine, ensuring meaningful learning that physically carves their cerebral architecture.
Teaching Teens & Young Adults to Enjoy Playing Their Music On Accordion :
Gordon Kohl
How do we bridge the gap between traditional accordion pedagogy and the musical world of today’s younger players? This workshop focuses on strategies to engage teens and young adults by empowering them to play the music they actually listen to.
We will explore how to move beyond the standard curriculum to foster a genuine, lifelong enjoyment of the instrument. This session is designed for teachers and mentors looking to modernize their approach and keep the next generation of accordionists inspired and motivated.
​
Dreams Fullfilled Through Music: Mary Kathryn and Kathryn Archuleta
Come learn about how this organization uses the accordion to assist special needs citizens.
The Process of Composing Stas' New Release: Stas Venglevski
This workshop will be held specifically for those festival attendees who will NOT be rehearsing with the festival orchestra. Stas will be presenting his new book of thirteen one-minute pieces. This will be both a presentation and performance. He will talk about how the idea came to him and the process of composing them.
Music Fun With Amy Jo: Amy Jo Sawyer
This workshop will be held specifically for those festival attendees who will NOT be rehearsing with the festival orchestra. Test your knowledge of songs and music history as Amy Jo entertains you just for fun! Come and enjoy some musical games and entertainment.