(Wed July 12, 9:00pm)

Following the resounding success of her inaugural tour of the USA and Canada, through a flood of e-mails and fan mail not usually associated with the accordion today, due to popular demand, dazzlingly electrifying Australian accordion sensation, Bernadette Conlon triumphantly returns to Kimberley.

One moment, you’ll be swept away by a violent wave of passion and energy, the next, your heart will be broken by the sheer beauty of her sensitive playing, so shamelessly honest as to make the angels cry.  Never sure whether she is real, or a mirage, you will be captivated by the wit and charm of this visually impaired virtuoso.

Born with retro-lentil-fibro-plasia, Bernadette’s playing takes on a radiance only found in those who have lost one of the senses.

From childhood, her future seemed written in the stars, when she was directed into a path of music.  Beginning accordion lessons at the age of nine, she became a fixture of the local charity concert circuit.  A belief in the promotion of the accordion to a proper status among musical instruments, led her to be a regular performer for Melbourne’s classical music elite.

By the time she was 18, Bernadette had commissioned Australia’s first accordion concerto, from composer Michael Easton, which she recorded for the Naxos label.  Her recording credits include film and television scores, as well as accompaniment for Australia’s leading singers.

Competitively, Bernadette has been four times South Pacific Champion and seven times Australian National Champion, as well as over 100 first prizes. 

A character of great tenacity, Bernadette completed two of the highest degrees awarded by the main examining body in Australia, the Australian Music Examination Board, two licentiate diplomas, on Standard bass and Freebass.  Unable to study at university herself, she became the first accordion tutor appointed to the Victorian College of the Arts, and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading accordion tutors.

However, more than anything, Bernadette has always believed in bringing music to the people.  She gives regular concerts in many genre of music, as well as playing on Melbourne’s streets, where she is commonly referred to as a “Melbourne Cultural Icon or treasure”.  Broadening her repertoire to suit the many and varied audiences, Bernadette plays everything from pop and rock ‘n’ roll, to jazz, many different forms of folk and ethnic music.  Her nine CDs reflect the diversity of her music, from tangos to ABBA, light classical to the two volumes of music by Pietro Frosini.  Her interpretations of French waltzes rival the technical ability of the button accordion and her latest album entitled Abandon, is truly haunting. 

Most astounding of all, however, is her unique ability to play requests at will.   As an entertainer, her concerts usually feature up to two hours of audience requests, which Bernadette delivers, with the energy, which is awe inspiring.  Renowned for her quick-witted repartee, Australia’s most opalescent musical jewel, will shine, thrill and delight you.