Diane Pelak founded FlexChecks Inc in 1997. She strongly believes in the positive impact that music can have on children and in our community. She founded Instruments for a Song in dedication to her parents because of their passion and long-lasting commitment to the musical arts.  Her father, Ray Watkoski began playing the accordion when he was 12 years old and played his first band job, along with his brother, at the age of 15 for their grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. Her mother Julie began singing and harmonizing with her sister as a teenager with the duet featured on the radio in Northern Michigan for several years.  When Ray and Julie married in 1959, Julie joined Ray’s polka band, the Polkaceno’s, and they’ve been playing together ever since. They have now played for over a dozen 50th-anniversary parties that they played at for the couples’ weddings. Music has been an integral part of our lives with many family members playing in bands.