A North Eugene High School student crosses the stage with a beaming smile at the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration. The accordion strapped across her torso is nearly half her size, but Maria Telesheva carries it as though it’s an extension of herself.
After a cheerful introduction and a nod to the audience, many of whom play the very same instrument, Maria shifts into another mode entirely. The moment she begins to play, she disappears into the instrument. Her fingers glide with ease across the keys and buttons, drawing out otherworldly sounds.
It’s no wonder she caught the attention of NPR’s “From the Top,” a nationally broadcast showcase of young classical musicians. But what may come as a surprise is how quickly Maria took to the accordion in the first place.
“I started to learn to play the accordion when I was about six years old,” she said. “It was when I saw a little accordion in our living room, and I came up to my dad and was like, hey, can you teach me how to play?”…