Beth Lynn Hoey
In the earliest memories of her childhood, Beth Lynn Hoey, 41, recalls her father playing his accordion for the enjoyment of his family. “My sister and I loved to dance and sing with Dad,” says Hoey. “I begged to learn how to play until my parents said I was old enough in first grade.” She then received a small 12-bass accordion and began taking lessons.
In addition to her accordion lessons, she took vocal lessons in high school, helping her land roles in Anything Goes and Snoopy. “I was never the best singer,” she admits, “but I think my love and enthusiasm for music came through. I loved to perform.”
A change came to Hoey’s accordion playing when she met Betty Walker, who ran a respected accordion school in Rochester, New York. Under Walker’s tutelage, Hoey developed her skills and played countless regional performances. “I also participated in US and Canadian national accordion competitions,” she adds.
Hoey, who now lives in Marietta, New York, considered attending a college music program and working as an accordion/music teacher. “I finally decided to pursue a career in nonprofit work,” she says. For 15 years, Hoey has been director of development for Francis House, which provides a home and care for terminally ill residents. She incorporates music into her job whenever possible. “Music invokes such emotion and memories,” she says. “I see faces that are confused most of the time, smiling with a flicker of memory in their eyes when I play a song from their past.”
Hoey has four children, ages 13, 11, eight, and four. Her husband is a teacher who shares her love for music: he plays saxophone, guitar, and mandolin. “We have always shared our love of music with our children,” she explains, paying forward the appreciation for music her father instilled in her. “We’ve always had a piano in the house. Every child has sat on my lap, then next to me on the piano bench, singing, laughing, and loving music.”
GEAR GUIDE
Dulcimer: “It was handcrafted by Rick Thum, and my husband gave it to me as a Christmas gift.”
Accordion: “The Giulietti Supermodel 140 bass Accordion is not for the lightweights—it weighs about 40 pounds!”
Who are your musical influences?
There are many famous musicians I can name whom I admire and aspire to be like, but it is the individuals in my life that have influenced and inspired me most—my Dad, my accordion teacher Betty Walker, and those who enjoy my music.
Why do you continue to make music?
It’s great “me” time, but to make others happy, especially at the end of their lives, by sharing my talent, is a true gift. I once had a resident say to me, “I think when I die, I’ll be greeted by accordions in heaven.” I sat in his room and played and played. He didn’t want me to stop. It was inspiring to see him forget about everything else and just enjoy that moment.
How do you continue to learn?
I challenge myself. Learning the dulcimer is a new challenge I’ve eagerly taken on. It’s quite different from the accordion or the piano.
What benefits have you found to making music?
Playing the accordion is actually a good workout for the arms, but it’s also an exercise for your mind. Expressing yourself through music exercises your soul. Music makes a real celebration; during my kids’ birthday parties, I’ll play songs and the children are soon dancing around and clapping.
How do you make time for music in your life?
I am blessed to be able to bring music to my work life. I’ve played at Masses, for staff skits at celebrations, for holiday parties. I also like to bring my accordion to my children’s school and play for their classes.
What advice do you have for someone getting into music later in life?
It’s never too late. If you enjoy it, make time for it. As you get older and have more responsibilities, making the time reaffirms that you need to do things for yourself.
What is your best memory of making music?
I was playing a polka for a resident who could no longer get out of bed. As I played, he tapped his foot under the covers. His wife was in the chair next to his bed, happily stamping her feet and clapping her hands. After I finished, they shared that they spent many years dancing polkas at the local Polish Club. It was such a gift to be a part of that moment.
