Concert Accordionist, Mary Tokarski performs both nationally and internationally as a soloist, with Symphony Orchestra and as a member of The 'K' Trio. For 20 years Mary served as Director of Music Education at Tokarski Music Center in North Haven, Connecticut, where she taught piano and accordion, as well as conducted the choral & ensemble programs, and supervised the pre-school programs. Mary currently teaches piano and accordion at her home in Northford, Connecticut.

She also serves as a Music Educator in the North Haven Department of Education's Early Childhood Development Program at Green Acres Elementary School. Currently, Mary serves as a Board of Director with both The American Accordionists' Association (AAA) and the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG) which are the two national member organizations of the Confederation Interntaionale des Accordeonistes, (IMC-UNESCO).

Coming Soon: New Book - An Accordion! What Is That?

 
Mary began her music career at 7 with Michael Fernino of Ansonia, Connecticut, and performed and competed at local, state and national events throughout early adulthood . . . amassing over 185 trophies and awards, including two U.S. Championship Titles, a 3rd place in the 1973 Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA) Coupe Mondiale, and a 2nd place in that year's Coupe Mondiale Pop Category.

In 1983, Mary founded Tokarski Music Center, where she served as owner and Director of Music Education. Her students have also compiled an impressive list of awards in competition.

Mary's teaching started at an early age (before finishing high school) . . . and over the years has fine-tuned her teaching skills by taking all sorts of music and education courses, and studied Early Childhood Education through Kindermusik International at Princeton University and Boston University at Lowell. She is currently a music teacher in the North Haven Department of Education Early Childhood Development Program at Green Acres Elementary School, where she teaches music for the 3 and 4 year old programs. Her students have included many "special needs" children over the years, and she developed a successful Kindermusik program at Tokarski Music Center.

Holding memberships in the Music Teachers National Association, the Connecticut State Music Teachers Association, the New Haven Chapter of CSMTA, the North Haven Rotary Club, and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Mary is a Board of Directors member for the American Accordionists' Association (AAA) as well as the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International (ATG).

A member of The "K" Trio, Mary performs in concert throughout the United States and internationally with her sister Julie and brother Walter. The trio performs a wide variety of musical genres, and has been acclaimed as one of the world's finest accordion ensembles.

Mary is a "regular" on the workshop circuit in the musical associations, and along with the members of The "K" Trio, she regularly presents workshops on Precision Ensemble Techniques, Technical Development and Virtuoso Performance Preparation.
 

Mary began her music career at the age of 7 with Michael Fernino of Ansonia, Connecticut. During the course of her musical career, she has studied theory, performance, ensemble and orchestral training with professors from Yale University, Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory, Boston University, the University of Texas, and the University of Denver. In addition, she has had extensive Kindermusik training at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and Princeton University, and has attended numerous seminars on the psychology of teaching, technics for "special needs" learners, and LOTS of education-related topics!
  

Mary has the distinction of winning over 185 trophies and awards for her performances in State, Regional, National and International competitions, and twice represented the United States in the Coupe Mondiale (World Accordion Championships) sponsored by the Confederation Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA). She was elected to Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2002, the Oxford's Who's Who in 1992 and was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 2004.
  

Mary has just released her second solo CD titled "Music With Mary... With My Friends!"

Both this new CD, as well as her first solo CD, "Music With Mary... For My Friends" are $17.00 which includes shipping and handling. Please complete the order form below, and mail your check or money order payable to Mary Tokarski, to the address listed below. Be sure to select which CD you would like to purchase, your mailing address, phone number and e-mail address for return shipping purposes and order confirmation.

Mary Tokarski
15 Maplewood Lane
Northford, CT 06472
USA

Phone: (203) 484 5095
E-Mail: mary.tokarski@comcast.net

To make a credit card payment, you are invited to use Paypal. With PayPal, you can send money from your creditcard to anyone with an e-mail address by simply signing up for a free PayPal account. When you are logged into your account, simply click the Send Money tab. Then enter your recipient's e-mail address: mary.tokarski@comcast.net then put in the amount you would like to send. It's as easy as that!

To pay for your Music with Mary CD by credit card, simply click PayPal to get started, click on heading "Send Money" Pay anyone with an e-mail address.

After that, if you do not have a current PayPal account, simply follow the instructions to establish one and then follow the directions as mentioned above to make your payment." 

Please complete the order form below, to confirm your order. Thank you!

“What a delightful early reader! Yet, it is comprehensive for the older child as well. It is definitely a unique approach to teaching, not only the workings and complexities of the accordion, but the music as well. The accompanying CD and illustrations are a treasure. This book should be included in every school’s required curriculum.” Linda Soley Reed, President of the American Accordionists’ Association:

Description

This book is written for use as a Guided Reading Book, for the Listening Station, as well as a Read-Aloud and Early Reader K-2. Interest Level is K-adult.

The objective of this book is to provide a low reading level, non-fiction, guided reading book with various text features, giving the student who is reading at a first grade level the opportunity to learn about how the accordion produces sound, while using a table of contents, headings, a glossary, an index, a bibliography and biographies. At the listening station as the student listens and reads the book he/she will develop an awareness of the variety of music the accordionist can create.

Students will gain an understanding of the accordion and the different types of sounds and music it can produce. They will be introduced to the multitude of text features in a way that is enjoyable and easy to understand.

“Buzz Treble” guides the reader through the unique qualities of the accordion while listening to the narrated text -- and musical “samples” illustrating the concepts.

The CD includes the Story of The Fox and The Hound (narration and music), as well as 3 bonus tracks for listening pleasure.

To order YOUR copy ($20, includes 2.05 S & H), please contact Mary Tokarski at 203-484-5095 or by email at mary.tokarski@comcast.net .

BEE Happy!

WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS and MASTER CLASSES
Mary can make a presentation to YOUR group (big or small)!

Performance Confidence - Learn technics to improve your skills right from the start - with ANY piece or program. Some sure fire ways to build up your confidence levels.

The Adult Performer - A whole different breed. Performing as an adult is a challenge "bar none". Learn mental techniques to control your anxiety and what to do to PREVENT the anxiety right from the start! Make performing FUN!

Making Music Fun - Old or young, music IS fun! Find out how you can make every practice session challenging, rewarding - and great fun.

What Makes Music "Music"? - A look into the secrets of the power of "thought" on your musical skills. What makes some performances good . . . while others are down-right EXCITING?

The Pre-School Challenge - Working with Special Need Children and Music - Mary has been working in the North Haven, CT elementary school system for 15 years, and has helped hundreds of children (including special needs children) to go from an observer . . . to a creater of music!

The Art of Practicing - Another "must" for anyone who wants to build their musical skills. Learn how to "Get The Most" out of your practice time by using some simple study skills.

Performing With A Symphony - The thrill of symphonic performance . . . and . . . the frightening facts. Mary tells all about her experiences with the Moravian Symphony (Czech Republic) and the Auckland Symphony (New Zealand) . . . and the Mantovani Orchestra (China tour, 2007). Fun filled AND educational, especially if you aspire to do it!

Technic . . . Who Needs it! - YOU do! The ins and outs of successful technical study. Maximize your progress through thoughtful and careful thinking during warm-up.

 
National Performances:

- First Guest Artist Appearance at 12 with the Fernino Quintet
- Performed as "guest artist" throughout the U.S., France and Belgium
- Performed with world-reknowned artists Dr. Willard A. Palmer and Bill Hughes
  (Dr. Palmer is co-author of the famous Alfred's Basic Piano Library)
- Soloist with the Texas Accordion Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne in Dallas, Texas, 2003
- Selected "Concert Master" under the baton of world-reknowned conductors:
  Gary Daverne (Auckland Symphony, New Zealand)
  Joan Cochran Sommers (Formerly of the University of Missouri, Kansas City)
  Janet Millard (Milwaukee Philharmonic)

International Performances:

- Belgium, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Germany

Productions:

- Fiddler On The Roof (American Musical Theater, New London, CT)
- Alcyone (Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT)

Appearances With:

- Accordion Pops Orchestra (Conducted by Maestro Daniel Desiderio, Philadelphia, PA)
- Accordion Symphony Society of New York (Conducted by Maestro Joseph Biviano, then of New York City)
- Latin Arts Festival at Southern Connecticut State College
- Numerous Radio & Television Appearances
  

 
· Music Teachers National Association
· Connecticut State Music Teachers Association
· New Haven Chapter, CT State Music Teachers Association
· American Accordionists' Association - Board Member
· Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International - Board Member
· The Schubert Club of Fairfield County
· North Haven Rotary Club
· Rotary International
 

 
For more information, please contact:

Mary Tokarski
15 Maplewood Lane
Northford, CT 06472
USA

Phone: 203-484-5095
E-mail: mary.tokarski@comcast.net