Yankee Hill Village resident Don Osentowski wasn’t exactly looking to pick up a new hobby — especially not playing the accordion. But sometimes, life surprises you in unexpected ways.
“I really had no desire to ever play an instrument,” Don said. His journey into music began at a church event where a casual conversation led him to ask, almost unconsciously, about an old accordion someone mentioned in passing. Before he knew it, Don found himself the proud owner of an 189-year-old accordion with a fascinating backstory.
It was the first accordion made with a serial number, Don said. Originally from Russia, the accordion had made its way through generations before landing in Don’s hands. Despite its age and initial condition, Don was determined to restore it and, more importantly, learn how to play it.
What started as a simple curiosity blossomed into a rewarding passion. Though Don modestly claims he’s a better teacher than a player, he’s helped more than 50 students learn the nuances of the button accordion, many through Southeast Community College.
“I still can’t quite go on the bandstand,” he said.
In a serendipitous turn, a music professor from Seward, Nebraska, reached out to Don for help learning the instrument, even though he held a doctorate in music. With its unique design and lack of standardization, the button accordion is notoriously tricky to master. Yet, Don has written over 140 songs for the instrument, providing a valuable resource for beginners.
“It’s like eating an elephant, one bite at a time,” he says, describing the slow but steady process of learning to play.
Though he may have stumbled into his musical career later in life, Don’s story is a testament to the joy of lifelong learning. He inspires others, proving that it’s never too late to pick up something new — even if it’s an antique accordion.