Born in Fort Scott, Kansas, daughter of Dean and Marlene Gettler, I began accordion lessons at the age of eight, and piano when I was ten, under the tutelage of Margie Fremar.

While studying accordion, I participated in many music festivals, and achieved superior trophies through all levels of accordion competition. For three years I successfully defended my title as the Kansas State Virtuoso Champion.

I acquired my Bachelor of Music degree in Accordion Performance from the University of Missouri - Kansas City where I was a student of Joan C. Sommers. It was during this time that I met my husband Juha, and after graduating from UMKC, we moved to Finland where I gave accordion and piano lessons in the Finnish school system.

I have traveled in many countries during my accordion career, performing with the UMKC Accordion Orchestra, in duo with my husband Juha and with The International Trio. Juha and I have made several appearances on television in both Finland and the United States and I also play piano and organ for many school and church functions. More recently Juha and I have begun appearing as a 'family' accordion quartet by including our two children Jessica and Janne in our performances.

Juha and I served as executive officers for the Accordion Teachers' Guild for four years where we took on the awesome task of organizing four national accordion conventions which attracted participants from across the United States and as far afield as from New Zealand, China and Russia.

I currently run my own music studio in Overland Park, Kansas, where I enjoy a busy schedule coordinating lessons, performances, competitions and various other activities across the Midwest for my many students in both piano and accordion.