ATWOOD — From their Colorado Springs home, Dan and Kim Christian have established themselves as world accordionists. Their unique ability to play together with exact precision is unparalleled. Performances are charged with vibrant energy and a passion and love that creates an experience that will be cherished by audiences.
Western Plains Arts Association is pleased to bring Squeeze-Play back to northwest Kansas, this time to Atwood. Their concert is 3 p.m., Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Rawlins County High School Auditorium. Tickets are by WPAA season pass or adults $10, students $5 at the door. WPAA programs are made possible through numerous businesses and individual contributors including a special grant by the Dane. Hansen Memorial Foundation, Logan, Kan.
Dan and Kim met as young children while Dan was taking lessons from Kim’s Father. He and Kim grew up often performing together. Eventually their great friendship turned into romance and marriage. They are known throughout the county for their modern arrangements of popular music styles that cover just about any style of music from classical, to polka and jazz and everything in between.
They have travelled widely throughout the United States and have competed at internationals, including in China and Canada. They perform often in the Colorado area in addition lengthy periods performing in Branson, Mo.
Kim has won many prestigious awards in her career, including the U.S. National Championship and Horary Bronze Medal winner of the World Accordion Championships. She is also the two-time winner of the Rocky Mountain Accordion Society Virtuoso Solo and the Accordion Federation of North America Virtuoso solo.
Dan is the winner of the prestigious Galla-Rini Traveling Trophy Award, which requires a three time win of the Rocky Mountain Accordion Society Virtuoso Solo Competition. He has developed a reputation throughout the United States for directing outstanding Virtuoso Orchestras. His groups have won national Competitions in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver. He is an experienced music writer and arranger. He is director of the U.S. National Champion Accordion Orchestra with a record of first place achievements across the country. He was the solo accordionist for “La Curanderea” the first opera to highlight the accordion as the principal instrument.
The couple have both been teaching accordion for more than 30 years. Seven of their previous students have received full music scholarships to Denver University.
Working together the couple wrote, arranged, produced and marketed the Branson show “Music Makes the World Go Round. They have produced several CD’s over their many years.
— Submitted