Conductor Zubin Mehta and Director William Fertik
Their 1973 short documentary "The Bolero," a behind-the-scenes look at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in rehearsal for a performance of Ravel's "Bolero," was an epiphany to me as a college junior with little education in classical music.

Mrs. Jane L. Hunter and the late C.W.L. Hunter
My mother, a WWII cryptanalyst, and my father, Visa Consulars Assistant for the Indian Embassy, both influenced my love of classical music. Though my father died when I was little, he left behind a collection of classical hi-fi records that my mother and I treasured for years.

Grace Baker
My first job out of college was in the Fall of 1985 in Little Rock, Arkansas. A lady who worked at the firm, Grace Baker, always listened to "Adventures In Good Music" with Dr. Karl Hauss. From that time until now, I have been a devotee to Classical Music. And I am very grateful to Grace and Dr. Hauss's program in introducing me to the wonderful world of classical music!

Dorothy Baumle
Arlington County music director and orchestra conductor who inspired anyone who ever worked with her. She produced many professional musicians and life time committed amateurs, including the 1955 WL Concertmistress who played with the Philadelphia Orchestra for her entire professional career after attending The Curtis Institute.

James Brown
Orchestra teacher, North Babylon Senior High School, NY. Mr. Brown exposed us to a wide range of classical literature; I love hearing something on the radio and remembering that we performed it. Besides inspiring us to practice, he was also a wicked jazz bass player!

Dieuveuille Bruno
I owe my love of classical music to my father, an entirely self-educated immigrant from Haiti. He drove a cab in DC--in addition to holding a Government job--to put his kids through school. It was hurtful when some passengers expressed surprise at hearing classical music (the old WGMS) on the radio of this Black cabbie. But Daddy loved this music and he loved this city and he enjoyed sharing them with anyone who had an open mind and heart.

Bill Cerri
The late, GREAT, WETA FM morning host who died on air. Great sense of humour and he always ended his show with the King Singers rendition of You Are the New Day. His show was a real delight.

John Dielhenn
He was my (classical) piano teacher in Princeton, NJ who introduced me at an early age to the life and work of classical composers. He was also the piano teacher of the late Christopher Reeves (before his role as Superman). I owe him a great deal of gratitude and thanks for his direction and inspiration.

Harry Dignam
This tribute is to my father, who not only listened to Smetana, Belioz, Offenbach, and von Suppé, but also Harry James and Benny Goodman as well, who sang along to Gilbert and Sullivan, and Rogers and Hammerstein, and who always laughed long and hard at Victor Borge. He introduced me to the rich world of music and then encouraged me to explore it. I took what you gave me and kept going. Thank you, Daddy, for this life long gift.

Cynthia Draeger
Cynthia Draeger was the band director at Rocky Run Middle School when I went there. She taught me how to play the trumpet and fostered an appreciation of music. While I retired my trumpet a few years later, the experience and love of music has remained with me.

Esther Edgar
She was my maternal grandmother who took me to Salzburg when I was 15. That trip totally changed my life by introducing me to Classical Music. Since that time in 1968, Classical Music has been a significant part of my life.

Bob Elder
He filled our lives with music.

Margaret Foster Rocks
Mother was an avid fan of WETA until her death at the age of 94 on 4/4/2001. Mother was music/Music was mother. She came from a very musical family who included members of Fred Warings Pennsylvanians and Longine Symphony Orchestra. She played the piano and the organ at our church for over 30 years.

Miriam Frank
My mother, Miriam Frank, took me to Boston Symphony and Boston Pops concerts from my infancy onward. I remember her playing Haydn and Beethoven on her mother's old piano; the same piano that a young Lenny Bernstein in Sharon, Mass. would come over to play because his father would not let him learn to play at home. Despite all the years, the losses, the tribulations and the triumphs in our lives, there remains for us both that which we shared from the time I was still in the baby carriage at the band shell by the Charles River: the music matters to us both and brings us together as few other things can.

Margie Giodano
She was my piano teacher during my high school years. I did not realize then how much Margie's teaching would influence me in my adult life. She encouraged me to audition for entrance into Westminster Choir College. I was accepted there, but chose a different path, which led me once again to music, as my major in college, my profession as teacher, and I now teach private piano. I have come full circle, and for this, I would like to thank her, wherever she is.

Judy Harrison
The music director for UUCF for many years, Judy invited classical musicians each Sunday to perform pieces of great beauty. In that setting and on that day of the week, she showed me how music can be sweet salve for the spirit.

Thomas E. Henderson
I owe my love for classical music to my dad. He had a small collection of 78 RPM classics including Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony which he would bring out and play for us. He also played piano and sang for us and taught us all to sing.

Theodor Kramer
Even though my father grew up on a farm in Germany, without benefit of much education, he loved to listen to Mozart and Beethoven, and inspired me to appreciate classical music.

Paul Laumann
He was the classical music morning host on my hometown station, WGUC in Cincinnati, for many years. I grew up with an appreciation of classical music because of him.

John Arthur Longo, Jr.
My Dad listened to classical music in his unfinished-basement workshop area where he would escape the craziness of a large family. He had an old upright radio console that stood on the floor and had a rounded top. When I visited him in his lair, he would point out pieces such as "The Sabre Dance" or "The Toreador's Song," both of which were favs of his.

Ms. Love
She exposed me to all types of music. She used to make us close our eyes, and told us to put out head down on our desks, which allowed our imagination to go wild while we heard classical music. I enjoyed it so much that I would go to the symphony rehearsals just to hear live music when I was a teenager; and now, I am passing her passion to my daughter. Thank you, Ms Love, you taught me for life.

Eleanor J. Mara
Although we lived the mundane life of a working-class family, my aunt Eleanor had delusions of grandeur and a longing for the finer things. At her insistence, we listened to classical music every Sunday before our mid-afternoon dinner, and that quiet, peaceful time has stayed with me throughout my life. Classical music is playing every waking hour.

Johanna Franchetti Mardirosian
Growing up, my mother always had classical music playing in the house. It provided a calmness and beauty to our daily lives. I continue this tradition today with classical music and WETA playing in my own home. In doing so I hope that I am passing on to my children the same appreciation for classical music that my mother passed on to me.

Janet Nave
Both my dear mother and grandmother directly contributed to my love and enjoyment of classical music. My mother played classical records and we listened to classical music on the radio growing up which to this day, brings very fond memories of that time. I listen to classical music almost exclusively to this day and am sharing this with my sons, who also enjoy classical music!

Peggy Newhall
The amazing Mrs. Newhall for coaxing beautiful piano playing and a lifelong appreciation for music from my somewhat talented son.

Dennis Owens
Being an "Assembled Ear" made commuting bearable.

Kenneth W. Page
A classical musician, orchestra conductor, and my high school music teacher. His influence led me to a lifelong involvement in support of musical performance.

Richard Patrick
My brother worked at the old WDON/WASH radio station locally back in the 50s bringing classical music into our home. He did really well with those long, difficult German titles!

Helen Penn
Helen Penn was my piano teacher in NE Washington. She took me and other students to Tchaikovsky Piano competitions at Lisner auditorium. We learned to love classical music because of her passion for the piano.

Antonín Dvořák and The Lone Ranger
I grew up listening to old-time radio, when the theme songs taken from classical works made the music familiar. I somehow felt a special connection to Dvořák's music, and my interest spread from there.

Eric Reynal
He introduced me to classical music in my early teens by playing a wonderful recording of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto and commenting with great enthusiasm on the work and the performance. I was hooked from that point on.

Edward Roman
He was the longtime choral director at my high school, and took our ensembles to state competitions on a regular basis. He's now retired to Arizona, but I will always remember the inspiration of singing in his choirs.

Bill Seale
A consummate vocal teacher and coach, choral conductor, and pianist, he lights up the musical scene wherever he goes. He has been my inspiring vocal instructor, beginning not until the eighth decade of my life. All praise to a wonderful teacher and person!

Lyle Suprise
As a young d-brat living in West Germany circ. 1960, I recall the mighty sounds of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. To this day, upon entering dad's home, one is welcomed with the vibrant sounds of classical music. Thanks dad for sparking my life-long appreciation of the genre.

Harry Swenson
Mr. Swenson, a trombonist as am I, was our band director for all my years in the school bands in Paxton (which, by the way, is a real-life version of "River City, Iowa" !) He had once taken trombone lessons from another trombonist, Jarslov ("Jerry") Cimera, who had once been a member of the trombone section of the band of: JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA !! So from Sousa to Cimera to Mr. Swenson to me - Dudley "Slide" Schwartz - I'm only three links away from the mighty Sousa !! And I'm still playing the golden slide trombone today, in the mighty Rockville Brass Band and in "Eine Kleine Tikva," the Klezmer-Yiddish-Ladino band I helped organize at our synagogue in Rockville ! Oy ! What a joy !

Charles V. and Leona Fay (Duffy) Thompson
My parents (both now deceased): my mom played piano, and sang to us--in a rich, pure alto--every night; one of the songs was a Brahms lullaby, "When At Night I Go To Sleep," and my dad played records of every kind--from the opera to the opry--especially classical and particularly Caruso and Mario Lanza and some old Sigmund Romberg pieces. They insisted I study piano for two years; then I could choose--I chose to continue. And, now I sing in a local choral society. WETA plays at my desk all day. I am so grateful for this gift. It truly has charms to soothe and always helps when things are not quite right.

Wilhelmina Van Leenen Lems Balassis
To My Mother for always having the classical station on mornings before school when we lived in NYC. Also for letting me play her classical records! Thanks, Mom

Late Marie & Garbis Vartanian
Both my parents placed that special seed of love and appreciation for classical music. It was the only music I was allowed to listen to while studying. Today, I cannot function properly without classical music in the background at work, home or in the car. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Harriet Weber
When I was 4 years old (I'm now 66), this adult babysitter played Sindig's "Rustle of Spring" on our beat-up old upright, as I sat on the floor - in total awe and astonishment. I even remember how sunlight played on the windows as she played. Since that very moment, classical music has been my life blood! Thank you, Harriet Weber, wherever you are!