Schirliu Cornel
About
Accordion Teacher – Classical & Freebass | Teens & Adults | 15+ Years of Experience
Hello! My name is Cornel, I’m 26 years old and originally from Moldova. I’ve been studying the accordion since I was 10 years old — that’s over 15 years of experience of working and studying this beautiful and expressive instrument.
For the past 4+ years, I’ve been working with students of all ages — children, teens, and adults — and helping them discover how rewarding and enjoyable music can be. I specialize in classical accordion using the freebass system, and I always adapt my teaching style to fit each student’s personality and pace.
Even though I’m still completing my formal studies in music education, I’ve already helped many students grow technically and musically — and most importantly, to enjoy the process. Working for over 4 years with children as young as 3 and adults over 60 has taught me to be patient, flexible, and to adapt my lessons in creative ways to suit different needs and learning styles.
I believe that learning should feel inspiring, not intimidating. Whether you're a total beginner or coming back to the accordion after years, we’ll move step by step, with structure — and lots of encouragement.
What I offer:
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Lessons for all levels (beginner to advanced)
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Friendly, relaxed atmosphere — but with clear progress!
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Freebass and standard bass accordion
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Children, teens, and adults
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Classical technique, posture, expression, reading
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Exam prep or hobby learning
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Lessons in English, Romanian, Russian, and basic Italian
🎵 If you’re curious, let’s try a lesson — no stress, just music!
Teaching Style
My teaching style is patient, structured, and focused on building a strong musical foundation. One of my main priorities is helping students develop correct posture, hand position, and body alignment when playing the accordion — this is essential for long-term progress and comfort.
I also place great importance on how we approach a new piece of music. Together, we analyze the structure, identify the technical and expressive challenges, and work step by step — starting with rhythm, articulation, and phrasing. This method helps students grow faster and more confidently, and prepares them for a more advanced level over time.
Whether you're just starting or already have experience, we’ll focus on clarity, awareness, and musical intention in everything we play.
Curriculum
My teaching method is based on developing strong fundamentals through clear technique, musical understanding, and a step-by-step approach tailored to each student’s goals and needs.
I have a selection of beginner-friendly materials and method books that I can recommend for students who are just starting out. However, I’m also very open to working with materials that students already have or are particularly interested in — whether it’s a specific piece, style, or method.
It’s especially helpful if students already have some basic music theory knowledge, or at least feel comfortable reading sheet music. This allows us to progress faster and focus more on expression and technique. But if not, no problem — we can develop these skills together gradually.
I’m highly flexible and often create custom exercises and personalized approaches based on each student’s level, learning style, and musical goals. Whether you're focused on technique, musical expression, sight-reading, or performance preparation, I will adjust our lessons to support your personal musical journey.
Credentials & Affiliations
My Studies
I began my formal music education at the age of 10, studying for 7 years at the Eugen Doga School of Arts in Strășeni, Moldova, where I received a strong foundation in classical accordion performance. I then continued my professional training for 4 years at the Centrul de Excelență în Educație Artistică “Ștefan Neaga” in Chișinău, Moldova, where I earned my diploma in music performance. After completing my studies at “Ștefan Neaga,” I began studying independently and took private lessons with distinguished accordionists, which helped further refine my technique and musical interpretation. Since 2022, I have been pursuing my higher education at the Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM) in Copenhagen, Denmark, where I specialize in advanced accordion performance and pedagogy.
Professional Performance Experience
Although my focus has been primarily on studying and exploring the accordion in depth, I have participated in several local and international competitions throughout my career. Notably, in 2020, I was awarded the Grand Prix at an international competition held in Moldova, which recognized my technical skill and musical interpretation. Additionally, I took part in the World Trophy (Trophée Mondial) accordion competitions in 2019 in Loulé, Portugal, and again in 2021 online, experiences that were crucial in shaping my decision to pursue advanced studies in accordion performance.
In addition to competitions, I actively perform with a folk ensemble in Moldova, participating in traditional events that enrich my experience and cultural understanding. Currently, I dedicate significant time to preparing for exams and upcoming concerts, continuously refining my technique and expanding my repertoire.
Teaching experience
Since 2021, I have been working as a general music teacher at a kindergarten, where I teach children aged 2 to 7. My role involves creating and delivering music lessons grounded in general educational themes, including rhythm exercises, vocal training, movement activities, active listening, and creative sound exploration to support the development of foundational musical skills.
Simultaneously, for the past eighteen months, I have been providing specialized online accordion instruction through Liberty Bellows, a Philadelphia-based accordion retailer. This collaboration has allowed me to develop strong online teaching skills and to connect with a diverse student base, delivering customized lessons focused on classical technique, musical interpretation, and performance excellence. My experience with Liberty Bellows has been both rewarding and professionally enriching, contributing significantly to my growth as an educator.