Directors
STAS VENGLEVSKI
President
His artistry, dazzling technical command, and sensitivity have brought Stanislav "Stas" Venglevski, a native of the Republic of Moldova, part of the former Soviet Union, increasing acclaim as a virtuoso of the bayan. He is a two-time first prize winner of bayan competition in the Republic of Moldova and a graduate of the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow where he received his Master’s Degree in Music under the tutelage of the famed Russian bayanist, Friedrich Lips. In 1992 he immigrated to the United States. He’s an accordionist, composer, conductor, arranger, entertainer and teacher. His wide-ranging repertoire includes classical, contemporary, and ethnic music from around the world, as well as his own original compositions. He has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, including numerous performances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen, on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. He also performs with symphony orchestras throughout Europe and the United States. Since 2016[ZL1] , Stas has served as Artistic Director of The Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat and in 2021 he was named Artistic Director of A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. He is a past President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild and currently serves on its board. He recently became a faculty member of the Music Department at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
YouTube Link
https://www.youtube.com/@accordionwithstasvenglevski
KOSTIA EFIMOV
Vice President
Konstantin Efimov - Kostia - is a Russian born pianist, composer, arranger, award winning recording artist, and performer who resides in Milwaukee, WI.
Kostia is a driving force in music both nationally and internationally. He is available for performances in several formats, including: Solo piano performance; Piano/Guitar duo with Daryl Stuermer; Piano/Vocal duos with acclaimed regional and national vocalists and master classes in various educational settings.
YouTube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2QOLWoIhsg&t=29s
MEGUMI HADA
Treasure-Secretary
Megumi (Meg) Hada, PhD., is a freelance accordionist based in the Houston Area. She is also a composer, poet and tango dancer.
She was born in Japan and move to US on 2001, worked as a scientist at Brookhaven National Lab in NY, NASA in Houston, and Prairie View A&M University. Megumi began studying the piano accordion in 2012. After studying under local instructors, she has been studying under maestro Stas Venglevski from 2015.
Meg began composing for accordion in 2021. She has released 5 books and 5 CDs. She plays all gerne of music, including Classical, Tango, Waltzes, Latin, Popular, as well as original music.
Meg is an organizer of the Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat, supports youth artists and promotes accordion concerts and workshops in Houston.
She regularly plays in Houston area as solo artist and in the band “Aire Fresco” with 3 Columbian musicians.