TROY , Ala —The Troy Arts Council will present an accordion concert featuring Betty Jo Simon at 2:30 p.m. on April 10 at Claudia Crosby Theater at Troy University .

Simon’s musical aptitude and love for the accordion appeared early. As a high school student, she became the first accordionist to win the instrumental division of the Youth Talent Auditions of the Topeka Civic Symphony. She earned a Bachelor’s of Music in Accordion Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), where she played the world premiere of Paul Creston’s Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra with the UMKC Civic Orchestra.

Simon has been entertaining audiences for years with her Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) electronic accordion, which, through computer technology, marries the rich tones of the traditional acoustic accordion with authentic orchestral sounds. She has participated in USO tours to Greenland , Newfoundland , Labrador and Germany , and formerly toured with the Pennsylvanians choral group directed by Fred Waring. In addition to her solo touring performances, Simon also currently leads a German polka band called The Alpen Spielers. She is a member of the American Accordion Association and the Accordion and Teacher’s Guild.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the door for $5.