Skyler Fell, who attended the Cotati event, is the 25-year-old owner of Accordion Apocalypse, a San Francisco shop that offers repair services and merchandise. She learned the trade after coming across an old accordion that she wanted to fix. She took it to a repair shop and worked out a payment plan that turned into an apprenticeship. When the old store closed down, Fell took over the torch and started her own business.

She also heads the band Accordion Apocalypse Circus Sideshow.

"The old timers have been great," she said. "Perhaps some of them aren't thrilled that their traditional music is being changed around by the younger generation. But, in general, I think most of them are happy that their passion lives on through us."