Getting Ready for AAMS

This March I'll be presenting a workshop telling of my experiences at Amala School in Valejo, Serbia during the summer of 2012. Amala School is an opportunity to live with Rroma (Gypsy) musicians and learn music and language. It was an indescribable experience but I will do my best to pass along the some of the things I learned to others.

Accordion and Clarinet teacher, Amala School, 2012

Here is a description of my workshop:

Play Gypsy (Rroma) Music Today - Dee Langley
Experience the excitement and fulfillment of music at your fingertips while exploring the rich, mysterious, and romantic melodies of the Rroma people. During the summer of 2012 Dee attended the Amala School in Vallejo, Serbia where she lived with and was taught by Gypsy (Rroma) musicians. This workshop is open to anyone who has a desire to experience world cultures through music and learn more about what the Rroma people are really like.


AAMS is held in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Music Teachers Guild - March 28, 29, - 30 in Whippany, New Jersey.

Learning about Veljevo, Serbia

Valjevo Panorama - uptown part of the city and Church (source - Wiki)

With 24 days left before my Romani experience I took a spin through Wikipedia. The information below is my translation of the facts offered in the History online.

Condensed History:

In the nearby village of Petnica, scientists found the first complete 6,000 year old Neolithic habitat in Serbia.

In Ancient Roman time this area was an integral part of the province Moesia.

Valjevo was mentioned for the first time in 1393 when it was an important staging post on the trade route that connected Bosnia to Belgrade.

During the First World War the battle of Kolubara was fought in the vicinity of Valjevo where there was a large hospital that helped the wounded.

The city of Valjevo suffered vast destruction during World War II and again at the end of the 20th century when it was repeatedly bombed during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

Technology and Sleepy Musicians

Audio and video equipment are a necessity for documenting my private and group music lessons at Amala School in Valjevo, Serbia. Sometimes things don't work out as planned. Countdown: 25 days

Roma Immersion Music School - I'm Going!

There are some moments that are just too stimulating and wonderful to understand all at once. This is one of those events...two weeks of music study immersed in Roma (Gypsy) and Serbian cultures. Starting the countdown to arrival now at 26 days, time to start packing!

ATG Board in Mesa, Arizona

One more "official" picture taken at the Frank Marocco Accordion Event in Mesa, Arizona, January 2009, the ATG Executive Committee and Past Presidents with Frank Marocco.

L to R: Amy Jo Sawyer, Past President; Dee Langley, President; Frank Marocco, honored friend: Bruce Lawrie, Treasurer; Mary Tokarski, 2nd Vice President; Stas Venglevski, Past President.

ATG at Moracco Accordion Event

There's something very special about getting together with people having a good time with music and it was my priviledge to hang out with the accordionists, workshop presenters and guest artists attending the Frank Marocco Accordion Event in Mesa, Arizona. It was also sublime to have so many current, new and returning ATG members present. Here a picture of the ATG members that attended the event......

Of course I like this one of Frank and me

Accordion Festivals - Frank Marocco Accordion Event

It's been a number of months since I've posted and life has not stood still. I'm officially the President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International and I'm very proud of the Board members and fellow Officers as we move this wonderful and historic organization into the computer age. The ATG was founded over 60 years ago, it is an honor to take the helm.

Here is a picture from my cell phone taken at the airport in Phoenix as I waited for my luggage. I was bored and really wanted to be on my way to my first outing as ATG President to the Frank Marocco Accordion Event.

And this is one of those self-portaits we all attempt with our cell phones. It came into existance because I like to send a picture home to my family when I travel. This was taken right before I went to play some folk songs for Joan Grauman to teach dance mixers to the wonderful accordionists attending this event.