Born and raised in San Francisco, California. Took 10 years of accordion lessons from Pete DiBono, Leo Giusti, and Dino Benetti. I never chose to play the accordion, the decision was made at birth by my Italian parents, Eda and Remo, and at age eight I started lessons. My father was also an accordionist, and my mother wrote songs. Music was at the core of our family. I am so grateful they forced it on me. They died before they could ever see the result of their investment. Thank you Mom and Dad! Now both my sons are musicians, John and Joe.