Shelia is a dynamic accordion performer. Well versed in multiple styles
and with a large repetroire, she can entertain solo or with a band for many different
style venues - from formal concerts, festivals, conventions, restaurants, cruise ships to
house parties, backyard barbeques, and street performer. Styles include: Italian, German, Tex-Mex, Country,
Standards, and Party Songs.
Shelia has also published many volumes of accordion music for the beginner to the intermediate
player. Many of these include Karaoke, DVD and CDs. She also teaches keyboard and
button accordion through Heritage Arts Productions (a non-profit orgainization) and through
Houston Accordion Performers.
When Hurricane Ike damaged her their home, lost her - her job, and claimed over half of her sheet music and 2 accordions, she decided
to return to what she knew best - writing, arranging, and teaching for the accordion. Together with her accordion cohort - Mark Ropel, they
opened Houston Accordion Performers. They selected a location in Pasadena and specialize in teaching keyboard, button, and chromatic accordion. They are sponsored by Heritage Arts
Productions - that also teaches Folk dance. Also - she is collaborating with Dr. Kott with MECCA to develop DVD instruction for keyboard and button box accordions.
Resume: Shelia has played the accordion since
she was 5 years old. She and her younger sister would duet every
occasion that arose – Rotary, Kiwanis, LionsClubs, Ethnic picnics
and even the Ted Mac Amateur Hour. Shelia studied with Bill Palmer
and was a member of the Palmer and Hughes Accordion Symphony at
the University of Houston until 1965.
At the age of 16 – Shelia started her solo professional career -
strolling at Doyles Italian restaurant in the Oak Forest area of
Houston. She opened Shelia’s Conservatory of Music
in Dayton, Ohio at the age of 21. There were over 300
accordion students and her most advanced 20 (ages 13 to 18) were in
a performing group called the Spitfires. Shelia
arranged classical as well as pop and movie themes for them to
perform. They won many national titles for Showband, Classical, and
Open Pop. They even made a record!
Shelia performed for over 22 years with a small combo that played
standards, ethnic & a little county for weddings, ethnic
picnics, and clubs. Returning to Texas in 1992, she continues to
perform solo or with another accordionisit or band at many restaurants
and events in the Houston and Galveston area.
Shelia walks over to the Strand (3 blocks from her house!
- and will play many Friday and Saturday nights.
See the Performance Link - to keep up with her
public appearances - Bring a Chair and sit a while!
Most recently, Shelia has performed:
- Tomball Heritage Festival - 08 & 09
- Friesenhaus Restaurant in New Braunfels, TX
- The Splendour of the Sea & Galaxy – Cruise ships &
Galveston Cruise Terminal
- Galveston Italian Festival, Moody Gardens, San Luis Resort,
Houston International Festival, Viking Fest (Waco), UTMB Festivals
and Shriners Children's Hospital
- Courtyard Café, Mario’s, Franca's, Domonics, Private dinner
parties and Weddings
- Galveston Parks & Recreation & Galveston Historic
Preservation Board activities
Currently, Shelia, along with partner Mark Ropel, has
opened Houston Accordion Performers - an accordion studio that teaches keyboard, button,
and chromatic accordion lessons as well as folk dance. Link.
She owns
2 homes in the East End Historic District (one she rents as a resort rental ) She
also works at the Galveston cruise terminal on the weekends and
holidays.
In 2005 - she played in the streets of Rome, and aboard the
transatlantic cruise aboard the Celebrity's Galaxy. This trip was
“ONCE IN A LIFE-TIME”. Shelia had never left the continent before.
View Shelia and the Bay Area Accordion Club performing on the
Carnival Cruise Ship Talent Hour - LINK to
YouTube
Shelia's current project is the taping of her beginner button box lessons
she has written (July 09).
These will be available on the Workshop page as they are edited.
slee@shelialee.com
- Home: 409-621-5561 - Cell:
281-788-6667
