Maria and Sergei Teleshev: Masters of the Accordion

Maria and Sergei Teleshev are not just performers; they are storytellers, weaving melodies that transcend the conventional boundaries of the accordion. Sergei, a seasoned virtuoso, has garnered acclaim on the international stage, securing titles such as the U.S. National V-Accordion Competition winner. Maria, following in her father's footsteps, has rapidly risen to prominence, capturing audiences with her innate talent and earning the title "Prodigy of the Year" in 2021.

Their unique synergy on stage, born out of familial bonds and a shared passion for music, has captivated audiences around the world. Together, they explore a rich tapestry of musical styles, from the intricate compositions of J.S. Bach to the electrifying riffs of AC/DC, demonstrating the accordion's vast potential and challenging preconceived notions about the instrument.

In light of their recent performance in Borrego Springs, we reached out to Maria and Sergei to delve deeper into their musical journey, their influences, and their vision for the future of accordion music. Here's what they had to share:

Quick Facts About DUO "TWO ACCORDIONS"

• DUO "TWO ACCORDIONS" is a father-daughter collaboration featuring renowned musicians and accordion champions from the United States.

• Sergei Teleshev, hailing from Eugene, Oregon, has been performing in the U.S. since 1996 and has Ukrainian roots.

• He is classically trained at the Academy of Music in Voronezh, Russia, and has won numerous regional and international accordion competitions.

• Sergei is a founding member and accordion player for several ensembles including Trio Voronezh, Classic Klezmer Trio, Valinor Quartet, and East-West International Project.

• He has collaborated with internationally recognized artists and orchestras, contributing to various recording projects.

• Sergei's YouTube channel features over 200 music videos, some with millions of views.

• He has served as a jury member at international accordion competitions across Canada, the USA, France, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine.

• Awards include winning the U.S. National V-Accordion Competition in 2013 and securing top positions in several other international competitions.

• Sergei is the organizer and president of the Accordion Star International Competition-Festival.

• Maria Telesheva began playing the accordion at six, under her father's tutelage, and won her first international competition two months later.

• She has won accordion and vocal competitions in several countries and was titled "Prodigy of the Year" in November 2021.

• The duo's performances are celebrated for their versatility, musicianship, and dynamic stage presence, making them a standout act in the United States.

• Sergei's performance of Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach is particularly popular on YouTube, with 3 million views.

• Maria's talents extend beyond accordion to singing, playing other instruments, dancing, and she has also been an award-winning singer.
  

Interview with Maria & Sergei

Question #1: Maria, having started playing the accordion at the young age of six under your father's tutelage and winning your first international competition just two months after, what has been your most memorable performance to date, and why?

Answer (Maria): "When I was little, I always heard my father play music on the accordion with different groups and in a variety of styles. I fell in love with its unique sound and versatility at a very young age. We always had a little accordion sitting in our living room, and one day, I came up to my dad and said, “Can you teach me?” At first, he just taught me a few chords. However, I started progressing very quickly, and two months later, I won my first accordion competition in Leavenworth, WA in the category ten and under being six years old. My father was impressed and started to bring me to the professional stage, so I began to perform with him very early.

It’s difficult to say which performance has been the most memorable. Truthfully, they get more and more enjoyable as time goes on. However, I will admit that I love it when we get a large audience. There’s definitely a give and take relationship with the artist and audience, and it’s magical when both parties work together. Performing at the Cotati Accordion Festival has probably been the most memorable experience for me when it comes to performing on the accordion.

Our audience was very supportive and consisted of a couple of thousand people. However, I also had the opportunity to sing with a rock band “Leonid & Friends” consisting of 12 people. It was my first experience of performing with a big band and was immensely memorable considering the beautiful venue and energetic crowd we performed for."

Question #2: The accordion isn't as common in mainstream music as other instruments. What do you think are some misconceptions about the accordion, and how do you address these through your performances?

Answer (Sergei): "Some misconceptions about the accordion are that it’s made solely for polka and general accordion music. However, everyone at our shows realizes early on that our program is not what they would’ve expected from two accordions. We play music in many different styles from all around the world. Our program ranges from J.S. Bach to AC/DC. We also incorporate vocals, percussion, and dance into our program which are things people usually don’t expect to go hand in hand with the accordion. The main thing the majority of people don’t realize is that the accordion is a very versatile instrument, and the possibilities of utilizing this instrument are endless.

Of course, we play a lot for accordion lovers, accordion clubs, accordion festivals, etc. However, we are targeting general audiences in the first place by including popular music in different styles such classical, tango, jazz, pop, rock, movie soundtracks and more into our repertoire. This way, we are gaining interest from more people, playing in bigger venues, and making the accordion a more popularized instrument."

Question #3: Your collaborations span a wide range of genres and ensembles. How do you approach composing and arranging music for such diverse projects, and what has been one of your most challenging yet rewarding collaborations?

Answer (Sergei): "For our duo, we always make our arrangements together. As you might assume, two accordions is better than one. It can be difficult to agree on certain things as father and daughter, but it’s very rewarding when we finally get to perform a piece of music we spent lots of time and energy on.

It’s a lot of fun to perform as a family duo because we are not just partners, we can feel each other through the music. We choose our repertoire by mutual interests. That makes it easier to create unique arrangements that we both work on together.

A professional show of two accordions with vocals, percussion, and dance is not something you see very often. That’s what we’d like to continue to do in the future." 

Contact & Booking information:

• Sergei Teleshev Production
• steleshev@yahoo.com
• 1(541)-729-8335
  

The Borrego Springs Community Concert Association is a vital part of the Borrego Springs cultural scene, dedicated to presenting a variety of high-quality musical performances to the community. Established in 1975 by passionate music lovers, this non-profit organization operates with the goal of both educating and entertaining its audience. Annually, it arranges nine concerts, including five public shows and four special performances free for local school children, emphasizing the importance of arts accessibility for youth. Supported by private donors, corporate sponsors, member contributions, and ticket sales, the association plays a significant role in enriching the cultural life of Borrego Springs.

To learn more about their impactful work and upcoming events, visit the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association.

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