Accordions Worldwide sadly reports the passing of accordionist Daniel Desiderio on March 3rd, 2025.

He was a featured soloist in the United States Air Force Band from 1951 to 1955, where he performed for many dignitaries, including President and Mrs. Eisenhower at the White House.

Daniel was a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Accordionists’ Association and one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Accordion Teachers’ Association. He also served as the conductor of the Accordion Pops Orchestra from 1985 to 2011.

Daniel J. Desiderio was a renowned accordion teacher, composer, arranger, and recording artist and was a student of Pietro Deiro, the “Daddy of the Accordion.”

He arranged the music for the Ensemble of Hope, an accordion ensemble in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area and operated a private music studio in the Philadelphia area for accordion and piano students.

The accordion and musical world mourns the loss of a unique individual who will always be remembered for his kind nature, generosity and talents as a performer, teacher, and composer.

Those of us who knew him were so fortunate. May his memory inspire all future musicians.

Video tribute below to accordionist Daniel Desiderio, presented at the Mid Atlantic Music Teachers Guild / American Accordion Musicological Society Festival at the Marriott Hotel in Whippany, New Jersey on March 31st, 2012.