Whilst still new students, Nick and his older brother, Anthony, began playing for church functions, fashion shows and family events in the late 1950s before traveling to the west coast.
At age 16, Galla-Rini entered Ariondo into the Western States Accordion Festival, winning the Virtuoso Category performing Liszt's “Rhapsody Espanol” while acquiring a Certificate of Merit for Artistic Services from the Los Angeles City Bureau of Music.
In his early twenties, he attended Los Angeles City College, was elected to the Alfa Chapter of Epsilon Alpha Gamma and upon graduation, was presented the Hugo Davise Composition Award for his “String Quartet No.1”.
At the young age of 17, Ariondo was soloist and accompanist in the Café Russe Cabaret Theatre production in Hollywood, CA., performing with international singers and dancers of varied backgrounds and cultures.
Throughout his career as accordionist and pianist, Ariondo developed a unique ability to reach out to diverse audiences of all ages and ethnic cultures, performing on keyboards in nightclubs and private functions.
Ariondo was featured onstage with Plácido Domingo in L.A. Opera's World Premiere “IL Postino” by Daniel Catán televised on PBS Great Performances and distributed on DVD by Sony Entertainment.
In 2012 Ariondo was the featured artist to perform in Long Beach Opera’s production of Ástor Piazzolla’s “María de Buenos Aires” receiving rave reviews.
[15] Ariondo's concert repertoire highlights his arrangements and compositions of over 200 works ~ solos, duets, trios, small to large ensembles - vocal and with orchestra, including an accordion concerto co-composed with colleague Edward Hosharian (a memorial tribute video) [1].