Stephanne Pleshette
George gave me so much - and what I didn't take willingly and gobble up, got forced upon me (oh yes, and the chair throwing and chair holding, sometimes several at a time) - it shaped my character. Despite some of my protestations and my then "wayward spirit" (as he called it!).
He had a great deal of compassion. As many of you know my mother suffered terribly from MS - he knew this was so hard on me as a teen and as she spent more and more time each year living in Florida and becoming less and less capable. He would come to the house and have dinner with us, entertain her, play piano and then demand even more of me the next day - all with love and intent. This man truly shaped my path - and at times saved me from edgy teen self-destruction. I am forever grateful.
He connected us all - to music and to each other. He helped shape us into one sophisticated ensemble after another. Pirates, Mikado, Carousel, Brigadoon, Trial by Jury, Little Mary Sunshine: NYC, Rome, London, North Carolina - these were some of the events and locations of the era I was a part of.
He taught us teamwork - one of the most valuable skills I have today.
He taught us forgiveness because not matter what screw-up us Rude Crude and Unattractives engaged in all was forgiven...until the next time....
He taught us never to be afraid to work hard - and be very afraid of not working hard enough.
He taught us valuable skills way beyond reading music - he taught us that we can soothe ourselves - we can be joyful and carefree - he taught us to find our voices and use them. Always.
He had his finger on the pulse of that school. He knew so many of us better than we knew ourselves - and he was not worried one bit about exploiting that so we could benefit. And we did.
I will miss him so much but the truth is he will not be far. Truly outstanding teachers live on for years and years. They leave their mark on several generations who intern influence the next.
What a wonderful life.
Goodnight George.
George gave me so much - and what I didn't take willingly and gobble up, got forced upon me (oh yes, and the chair throwing and chair holding, sometimes several at a time) - it shaped my character. Despite some of my protestations and my then "wayward spirit" (as he called it!).
He had a great deal of compassion. As many of you know my mother suffered terribly from MS - he knew this was so hard on me as a teen and as she spent more and more time each year living in Florida and becoming less and less capable. He would come to the house and have dinner with us, entertain her, play piano and then demand even more of me the next day - all with love and intent. This man truly shaped my path - and at times saved me from edgy teen self-destruction. I am forever grateful.
He connected us all - to music and to each other. He helped shape us into one sophisticated ensemble after another. Pirates, Mikado, Carousel, Brigadoon, Trial by Jury, Little Mary Sunshine: NYC, Rome, London, North Carolina - these were some of the events and locations of the era I was a part of.
He taught us teamwork - one of the most valuable skills I have today.
He taught us forgiveness because not matter what screw-up us Rude Crude and Unattractives engaged in all was forgiven...until the next time....
He taught us never to be afraid to work hard - and be very afraid of not working hard enough.
He taught us valuable skills way beyond reading music - he taught us that we can soothe ourselves - we can be joyful and carefree - he taught us to find our voices and use them. Always.
He had his finger on the pulse of that school. He knew so many of us better than we knew ourselves - and he was not worried one bit about exploiting that so we could benefit. And we did.
I will miss him so much but the truth is he will not be far. Truly outstanding teachers live on for years and years. They leave their mark on several generations who intern influence the next.
What a wonderful life.
Goodnight George.
