The Italian Accordion Academy founded and directed by Claudio Jacomucci and Kathleen Delaney is a formative and performative project dedicated to classical accordion based in Amsterdam.

Since 2006 students from several European countries (Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Bosnia, Portugal, Spain, Poland) have attended annual masterclasses, workshops, lectures and have collaborated with composers, musicians, choreographers, video artists, poets in the realization of various public performances presented at: Bimhuis, Amsterdam / Teatro Sanzio, Urbino / Italian Cultural Institute in Amsterdam, Warsaw, Strasbourg / International Accordion Festival, Castelfidardo / Vondelkerk, Amsterdam / Urbino Jazz Club / Het Accordeon Festival, Deventer (NL), Teatro S. Leonardo, Bologna / Splendor, Amsterdam / Settimana Rossiniana, Pesaro / Barco Ducale, Urbania / Oratorio S.Giovanni, Urbino.

Several guest teachers such as Inaki Alberdi, Geir Draugsvoll, Matti Rantanen, Viacheslav Semionov, Luciano Biondini, Yuri Shishkin, Simone Zanchini, Bert Van de Brink, Simone Spinaci, Marko Kassl, Marieke Hopman, Marie-Andrée Joerger. Friedrich Lips, Jean Luc Manca, Francesca Gallo, Panagiotis Zafiriou, Giuliano Bracci, Silvia Borzelli, Dario Calderone, Ned Mcgowan have given workshops and masterclasses at the IAA.

The pedagogical approach both in advanced and basic studies is inspired and based on the principle of the Alexander Technique, which does not only deal with instrumental techniques but with the entire psycho-physical functioning of the individual. The lessons and the practice of the Alexander Technique provide the mental and physical attitude in daily practice and performance.

One of the fundamental aims of the project is the preparation step to step of several public performance during the year, where solo, chamber music and multimedia works are premiered and students are involved in the creative process together with professional musicians and other performers, teachers and composers.