Pyeongtaek to host Alexander Sheykin’s accordion concert on Saturday

Accordionists Park Sung-wan, left, and Alexander Sheykin / Courtesy of Alexander Sheykin

“Becoming the Wind to the World,” a storytelling-style music concert that invites audiences on a musical journey around the world through the accordion, will take place at 5 p.m. this Saturday at the Grand Theater of the Pyeongtaek Nambu Arts Center in southern Gyeonggi Province.

At the heart of the performance is Alexander Sheykin, a master accordionist born in Uzbekistan to Russian parents, who has lived for two decades in Korea and has been actively performing across the country and internationally. With his versatile techniques and deep musical interpretation, he has devoted himself to showcasing the beauty of the accordion.

According to the organizer, Acco Entertainment, this concert goes beyond a simple performance — it weaves together the music of Russia, France, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland and Korea into a single narrative through the lens of the accordion. Each country’s musical characteristics will be introduced with explanations, offering audiences an immersive experience of the accordion’s historical journey and emotional range.

Sheykin grew up in a household where music was part of everyday life. His mother and her twin sister both played the accordion, and family gatherings were always filled with music. “The accordion was simply always there; it was part of my life since I was very young,” he told The Korea Times in an interview.

His first teacher was his mother, who gave him music lessons before he entered formal school. He said that in Uzbekistan, as in many parts of the former USSR, the accordion was one of the most popular instruments, and music education was rigorous. After completing six years at music school, where he studied not just performance but also solfege, music history and theory, he advanced to music college in Kazakhstan, drawn by the reputation of a master accordion teacher there.

His studies continued at a prestigious Russian conservatory in Yekaterinburg, where he trained for five more years. “Only after graduating from a conservatory can you call yourself a professional accordion player," he said. "The process was demanding, shaped by the famously strict Russian music education system. It was not easy, but because I loved what I was doing, it was really worth it.”

Alexander Sheykin plays the accordion in concert at Pyeongtaek Southern Arts Center in Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 21, 2024. Courtesy of Alexander Sheykin

In 2002, just as he was finishing music school, he auditioned for a Korean music company. He was offered a job almost immediately and, just a day after graduating, boarded a plane to Seoul. By coincidence, he arrived during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which ensured him an amazing first impression of Korea, as he witnessed a lot of energy while the country was swept up in national celebration.

The company that hired him provided housing, food and support, crucial since he spoke neither Korean nor English at the time. Initially, he only planned to stay for a year, but his contract was extended. Over time, he began to connect with the Korean music community, eventually leaving the company to work as a freelancer.

That was when he made a surprising discovery that the accordion scene in Korea was virtually nonexistent. “Compared to what I was used to, it was nothing,” he said. “There were people playing accordion, but at a very low level. I thought, this country should know more about the accordion.”

Since then, he has dedicated himself to raising awareness of the instrument in Korea, performing across the country and teaching audiences to appreciate its versatility and unique sound.

His journey hasn’t always been easy, but his love for the accordion sustained him. “Thanks to my instrument, my life is so good. It brought me great people, opportunities and happiness,” he said.

While he’s based in Korea, his music career has taken him far beyond its borders. He has performed or judged competitions in Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, the United States, Germany, Italy and Indonesia, with more trips planned, including a return to Uzbekistan. He asserts that the accordion is truly a global instrument.

The event will feature accordion music from around the world, with Sheykin joined by friends and collaborators on piano, violin, double bass and vocals. Musicians from Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Korea will also perform, underscoring the international spirit of the concert.

Accordionists Park Sung-wan, left, and Alexander Sheykin visit central Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood, Aug. 19. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Korean musician Park Sung-wan, Acco Entertainment’s founder, who graduated from the College of Korean Traditional Music at Chung-Ang University, will accompany his teacher and mentor on stage. Five years ago, Park met Sheykin and began learning the accordion step by step. “Despite my diverse professional background, I have always had a deep passion for music since childhood," he said. "For the past three years, I have been performing on stage together with him. Today, I not only play the accordion and sing Korean traditional folk songs — particularly Gyeonggi folk songs — but also plan and direct performances, especially multicultural and multinational projects with foreign artists.”

Acco Entertainment was originally founded to support Sheykin's activities. In Korea, it is often very challenging for foreign artists to continue their artistic careers, as visas are usually restricted and must be renewed every year. Moreover, if they encounter unprofessional agencies, they may face serious problems with payment, scheduling and other conflicts. The company was created to offer a more stable and supportive environment for global artists like Sheykin.

Currently, the company collaborates with 10 foreign artists, including models, actors and musicians from different countries. Beyond management, the company is also dedicated to promoting the accordion to a wider audience, producing and curating performances centered on the accordion across a variety of genres and formats.

A poster for the upcoming concert / Courtesy of Alexander Sheykin

Joining Sheykin and Park on stage are well-known multicultural musicians: pianist Kim Ki-kyung, violinist Nilufar Muhiddinova from Uzbekistan and double bassist Na Jang-gyun.

The organizers have invited special guest performers, including Belarusian Chyrskaya Katsiaryn, a former rhythmic gymnast and director of the multicultural dance team Elite, talented dancers from Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, as well as Kang Dong-hye, aka “Yodel Nuna Donghye”, who has played a major role in popularizing yodeling in Korea through numerous TV appearances.

Hosted by Acco Entertainment, with support from Pyeongtaek City, the Pyeongtaek Cultural Foundation and the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, the concert is free of charge. Reservations can be made on a first-come, first-served basis via a Naver reservation link, until the day before the performance.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.