biography

William (Wim) Wakker

_______________________________Educational background (Free Reeds)

1977-83 Sweelinck Conservatory, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Graduate degree in Music Education.
1985 Sweelinck Conservatory, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Graduate degree in Music Performance
1985-86 Post graduate work, University of Denver, USA.
1992 Music educational degree (electronic music), Netherlands.
1997 Received the first degree in classical (English) concertina, Netherlands.
1998 M.M. Ed. Belgium
1992-2000 Extensive long and short term studies in musical instrument
construction and development, free reed acoustics, reed design, CAD/CAM,
tool making, restoration techniques.
2000-2007 Research and development of different reed scalings and air flow patterns.

_______________________________Teaching, Workshops, Lectures
and Publications.

1985-2003 faculty member of several schools of music in the Netherlands,
         Belgium and USA.
         Developed and taught the concertina program at state music schools
         and the Fonthys University in the Netherlands.
         Concertina and free reed workshops and lectures in the Europe and the USA.
1992-2005 Developed educational programs and materials, ranging from work
         plans for amateur and professional free reed programs, to ensemble programs.
         As an arranger and composer, produced music for theatre programs and for
          a variety of other ensembles.
         Most recently, wrote the popular tutors for the English Jackie/Jack concertina,
          the Rochelle anglo concertina, and the Elise Duet concertina, which are used
          worldwide.
1995-2007 Published articles on concertina history and free reeds in several periodicals.

_______________________________Performing

1985-2004 Performed extensively in a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from
          pop music to theatre productions, chamber music and as a (classical) soloist.
          As a concertinist: concerts, recitals and lectures in Europe and the USA,
          specializing in the original 19^th and 20^th classical repertoire for the English
          concertina.
          Premiered many 19^th century and contemporary compositions for the
          concertina in Europe and the USA.
2001 Recorded the Concerto for Concertina and Orchestra by James Cohn for
XLNT records, and premiered this concerto in New York in 2003.

_______________________________Concertina Maker and Restorer

1993 Founded the Concertina Connection. Primary activities: restoration of
           concertinas and publication of original 19^th century music for the instrument.
           Specializing in the restoration of ‘high end’ and exclusive concertinas.
           Instruments completed include some of the rarest concertinas made by the
           19^th century makers.
2003-2009 Designed and started production of the Jackie/Jack, Rochelle and Elise
(hybrid) entry level concertinas.
2004 Start of Wakker Concertinas. Hand made traditional anglo, English and duet
concertinas.
2010 Start of the production of the Clover and Peacock, intermediate level (hybrid)
concertinas.

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