RAYMOND BODELL - NAO Chairperson for a total of 12 years since 1992, Vice President of the CIA 1998 to date, Vice President of the CMA 2006 to date and Principal of the British College of Accordionists.

Raymond achieved all Diplomas of the BCA by the age of 17 before gaining diplomas from the London College and Trinity College of Music. Successfully competed in many festivals including gaining first prize in the UK Virtuoso, Senior, Bell Trophy and Junior solo titles, competing internationally in various festivals. He continued his accordion studies in France for 2 years under the helm of Jacques Mornet.

He has extensive adjudicating experience at numerous festivals including Baltica Harmonica (Russia), Castelfidardo (Italy), Sata-Hame Soi (Finland) Jeunesse Musicale (Slovakia), International Grand Prix (Switzerland), ATG Festival (USA) as well as on numerous occasions at CIA / CMA events. He believes strongly that our young accordionists are the future and to this end must be given every opportunity.

ANNA BODELL, is an active member of the NAO Executive Committee, having served as Minute Secretary since 2001 and as a member since 2003. She is currently Assistant Secretary, maintaining and updating the NAO Website. At the UK Championships she currently is the Timetabler, Programme Co-ordinator and Trophy Manager.

On an International level Anna was a member of the NAO Organising committee of the Coupe Mondiale 2001 and was Organiser of the 2008 event held in Glasgow. She was appointed CIA Honorary Vice President for 2008 and has attended recent CIA Congresses as an NAO delegate in Finland, Norway, Macedonia, Bratislava and when hosted by the NAO.

ROBERT FLETCHER is an active member, having been the NAO Treasurer for the past thirteen years and the UK Trade Coordinator at the UK Championships. He has been the Co-ordinator of UK Championships and now manages the office at the championships.

He plays accordion, electronic and Church organ, trombone, euphonium and bass. He has been a member of the Weaver valley Accordion Band. Robert was also a member of the NAO 2008 CIA Coupe Mondiale organising Committee.

GINA BRANNELLI is currently the NAO General Secretariat and is a Professional Artiste with over 40 guest appearances on TV and radio, and concert tours in the USA, the Far East and Europe as well as band leader and musical coordinator for 9 world cruises on the QE II. She studied under Dante, Marcosignori and Prof. Einfeld of Berlin Conservatoire in addition to Manchester College of Music, London College of Music and the Milan Conservatoire.

She has been Principal of her own music school for 19 years as well as peripatetic music teacher in the field of education for A level and GCSE. She has a wide experience in composing, adjudicating and preparation for festivals and a career in music.

WENDY FARRAN began to play the accordion at 11, having gained a Bachelors degree and Dip Mus. She is now a member of the Weaver Valley Accordion band, composes and arranges for the accordion as well as teaching and playing professionally.

Wendy has served on the NAO Executive Committee for many years holding various offices including Festival Headquarters Manager.

ALISTAIR GILLESPIE following his return from South Africa he has taken a keen interest in all things connected with the accordion in this country and is an Chief examiner and local representative for the BCA in Scotland.

He has been an adjudicator for the NAO many years, and has always found time between his own very successful teaching commitments to give support and advice to, and promotion of the aims and ideas of the NAO and wishes to continue to contribute in whatever way he can.

HARRY HINCHCLIFFE started playing the accordion at the age of 8, competing in many NAO and other festivals. In 1980, he founded the Craven School of Music, preparing students successfully for both exams and competitions at all levels as well as playing professionally.

Harry has been the North Central Area Festival organiser for years, and has served for many years as an executive officer of the NAO.

GRAHAM LAURIE is currently serving as Chairperson of the NAO having served on the Executive Committee for many years including 3 years as Deputy Chair. He won the All Scotland Accordion Championships on a number of occasions and went on to represent Scotland at the National Championships.

Besides his own teaching commitments at his own Music Academy, he has been an adjudicator at NAO Festivals for many years and since 2004 has regularly represented the NAO as a Jury member at the CIA (World Championships) including recently at the 2008 event in Glasgow. As a holder of BCA Diploma’s he holds the position of Vice Principal and regularly examines at centres throughout the UK.

ROBERT MORTON started playing at the age of 12 with tuition under Graham Laurie; he has competed successfully in numerous competitions both in Area estivals as well as the UK Championships.

He had been an active member of the Graham Laurie Accordion Orchestra. Robert currently runs his own software development / IT consultancy company, providing IT services to various different organizations and wishes to combine these skills with his passion for the accordion.

PAULINE NOON has long been associated with the NAO (since 1958), assisting in the organisation of the National Championships "Accordion Day" from 1965 to 1970 as well as serving as NAO General Secretariat from 1998 – 2008 and is currently NAO Membership Secretary She was appointed Secretary of the British College of Accordionists in 1965, a role she stills holds today!

Having played with the BCA Orchestra, BCA Chamber Quartet and Francis Wright Players for a number of years, she is now a member of the Leicester Accordion Orchestra. She was co-founder of the Charnwood Publishing Company. In 2003 she received the NAO Merit Award in honour of her long service to the accordion.