After my master's degree was finished at Indiana University (as was I), my next step was somewhat uncertain. I wanted to go to San Francisco to continue studying with Mme. Biro, but didn't have enough money, and mom did not want to assist me in this venture. So I had no choice but to return to Spokane and continue applying for a university teaching position (had started this process before the end of the term). Mother's thoughts about music did not include a performing career (she knew less than nothing about all that) so she was never encouraging or supportive about my desires to better myself at the piano. I found all this mystifying as I knew I would succeed, but she was ever fearful. Of course, she eventually realized that I did become a successful and well-known pianist, but when I would tell her of my adventures and performances in Europe, for example, her eyes would glaze over. It seemed that she just could not tune in to the fact that her daughter had worked with, performed with, or was friends with the various people in my life. So I stopped telling her anything...she couldn't seem to handle it. (Naturally I did NOT tell her of my eventual friendship with that superstar of superstars....MICHAEL JACKSON....she would not even have comprehended it... although she did know WHO he was. In his case, there was the issue of his skin color. At the time I met him, the vitiligo had not pervaded so much of his body, although it was becoming obvious (I recall noticing it), and he could still cover it with makeup. He was very handsome, quite dishy, actually (not to mention incredibly gifted in just about every area). I was mesmerized by him and thought he had a beautiful mind...in every sense of that phrase. His demeanor was often quiet and rather shy, but that soon disappeared, at least with me. Of course, I could have cared less what color he was...he was just MICHAEL for me. But my mother would have been upset.....hmm....so I avoided the issue entirely. She never knew what she had missed...meeting that enchanting and fabulous human being.
My search for a teaching position did not come to fruition (my applications were all too late in most cases), so I decided to return to Indiana U and begin a doctorate in music. While on the train enroute to Bloomington, I received a telegram from the Director of the Music Department at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri offering me a teaching position!!! (This was one of the schools to which I had written). He apologized for the tardiness of his offer....it seems that he had been out of the country when my letter of application had arrived at Cottey. He was also Hungarian, knew of Mme. Biro's reputation and had much respect for her...so decided that I might be a good candidate for the Music Department (she had written me a glowing recommendation, by the way). I decided to accept his offer ....in the middle of my train trip to IU. So I sent a reply by wire from the train, informing him that I would detrain at the next stop, and take a bus to Nevada. And that is exactly what I did. Did you ever hear of such a thing? Naturally I also wired the administration at Indiana University that I would not be returning there at this time, stipulating the reason. I was very anxious to begin earning money so I could pay for what I had in mind (I am very single-minded and determined when my mind is set on something, which was to move to San Francisco and study with Mme. Biro!!!).
The rest of the trip was without incident, thank goodness, and I arrived in Nevada, went to the college, and was promptly invited to spend the night and the next few days at the home of the English teacher, while I looked for a suitable apartment. Since the fall term had not yet begun, I had a bit of time to do this, buy a few pieces of furniture, and move into the place. I wouldn't need a car as the school was within walking distance of my new apartment, and easy to navigate. I discovered that my teaching studio had a marvelous Steinway in it, so I would be able to practice at any time with no hassle. I made that studio into a second home, complete with a sofa, small refrigerator, two hot plates, teakettle, a couple of pots, and dishes. There was a lovely cafeteria in the school for which I was grateful, but it is always nice to be able to enjoy a small snack, coffee or tea in the privacy of one's own studio.
I was introduced to the rest of the faculty and found many kindred spirits there. My temporary roommate showed me around the town of Nevada, which was quite pretty. The only drawback of that town was the obvious distinction between white and black people, which I found very distasteful. I didn't understand that attitude then, and I don't understand it now. For example, there were restaurants that did not cater to the black race, as well as buses which did not stop for a person of color. Remember, this was the sixties, and the civil rights policies of President Kennedy had not been in effect very long. I realized then, that I could NEVER live in the south, where such racist attitudes prevailed. [Years later, when conversing with Michael Jackson about such things, he told me that when he and his brothers (the Jackson 5) toured the South there were a few occasions when they were not allowed in some restaurants, and he, (very young at the time) could not understand that at all. Can you imagine not letting the Jackson 5 and their entourage in the door because they were African American???]
Another rule was: a female teacher from Cottey College was not allowed to go into the town wearing pants of any kind.....slacks, jeans, shorts (heavens no!). Only dresses or skirts were considered 'appropriate.' I was astounded...and wondered how long I could stand living in this town.
My large class of students were of various backgrounds and I soon found out that many thought that PIANO would be an easy high grade!!! Ha! Not so, thought I. Also included in my teaching duties were Freshman Theory, Introductory History of Music, and Piano Literature. This was not a problem for me, as I was well-versed in all these subjects. I still smile to myself when I think of how shocked all the students were when they found out what was expected of them. And not surprisingly, many of them decided to opt out of Piano without even getting their feet wet!! Only music majors were required to take Theory, Music History, and Piano Literature courses, but anyone could elect to study Piano, if they desired, with no major required. And so my roster of students was halved in about two weeks!!! I was not unhappy about this, needless to say. Over the years various students kept in touch with me....and I was always happy to hear what they were doing, and where they lived. I realized that I had made a difference in many of their lives....one girl had considered dropping music altogether, until she began studying with me. She reversed her decision, and became a fine pianist and teacher. Even though I had not yet studied (in San Francisco) with Mme. Biro, I was able to employ many of her principles in piano playing, and taught these to my students. Most of them were interested in learning, and I, in turn, enjoyed teaching them.
I recall that one of my 'little' ideas was to take them ALL on a 'field trip' to St. Louis, Missouri to attend a classical symphony concert. There was a well-known pianist featured as well, performing with the orchestra. The problem was transportation.....it was about 100 miles ONE way to St. Louis, and we would need to return to Nevada the same day. So I requested that a BUS be provided for our little outing....this proved to be a difficult hurdle for the adminstration! They wanted all sorts of details about the trip, including the reason WHY I wanted to do this. (I thought this should have been self-explanatory, inasmuch as these were music students and we were going to a concert....not a football game!) However, I explained in some detail about the value of attending a professional concert; and that Nevada was a very small town, which had no real concert series of its own. (The only concerts were those given by the very excellent music faculty....but I thought that these students needed to be exposed to a larger variety.) This was an important part of their education, and should be made available to them. I spoke about Eastman - my alma mater - stating that concerts were not only available to the students, but attendance was required. Most of the girls came from well-to-do parents (Cottey was quite expensive), and they could well afford the ticket price, as well as dinner in a nice restaurant where I was planning to take them before the concert. Then there was a small fee to help defray the bus rental and driver expense. The result was, of course, that we got the bus and permission to leave the campus for the major part of the day and evening. (This entire project required much organization on the part of yours truly, but I was determined to do this.) Two of the other music faculty were invited to accompany us.....so there were enough adults to supervise the group of girls (about 15 of them). As it turned out, several other faculty members from other departments also opted to go, and were absolutely delighted that I had the idea and the nerve to push it through!! Our trip was great fun, and soon we found ourselves in St. Louis seated at a lovely restaurant ready to order dinner before the concert! My memory of that dinner was thus: the entire HOUSTON OILERS - - football team marched into the restaurant en masse and sat down at tables already prepared for them! They had just won their football game and were celebrating (LOUDLY). The most notable fact about these men was their large size (wall-to-wall shoulders, for example). And their appetites for food was amazing!! Most ordered very large Prime Rib dinners, or T-Bone Steaks...and those pieces of meat entirely covered the gigantic plates (no doubt reserved just for football players). There were large bowls of salad and vegetables, plus huge dinner rolls. Dessert was either pie or cake.....and some of the guys ate an entire pie!!! Actually the men were very polite.....3 or 4 of them came over to our table and greeted us warmly. Naturally, we didn't mention that we were in St. Louis to attend a concert, and not a football game!!! They seemed to assume that we were there for the game, and I did not feel it necessary to disabuse them of that notion!!!
The concert was excellent, as I recall, and we all enjoyed it very much. The girls were very interested in meeting some of the musicians, so I took them backstage so they could have that experience. One of my friends played in the orchestra, so we had a very nice visit, and my students were delighted to meet a REAL musician - - (besides myself). The trip back to Nevada was without incident, thank goodness. Everyone slept on the bus; so while it was rather late, we all were somewhat rested by the end of the trip! After that excursion, I was told by the administration that further bus trips would probably be discouraged....I guess the powers that be were getting nervous about my independence. Well...what does one expect from a rather notable educational institution located in a small town??? More marks on the side of living elsewhere in America...I was beginning to realize that I would no doubt flourish on either coast (east or west) but NOT in the midwest, or southwest (Texas, etc.)
The year passed very quickly....not only did I teach a great deal and practice (of course), I also played the organ every Sunday in the Episcopalian Church --- good for my organ playing. I had been studying organ with the Director of the Music Department, who happened to be a fine organist. (He was Hungarian, which I may have already mentioned). However, I was looking forward to the end of the year and traveling to San Francisco to study with my teacher for the summer. And at long last, the day arrived when I could leave the state of Missouri, for the last time, as it turned out.
My trip to S.F. was short this time, as I travelled by air, and both Mme. Biro and Maria were at the airport to meet me. I was absolutely delighted to see them; we went immediately to Mme. Biro's home - (she lived in a large PINK stucco home on Portola Drive in an area called 'West Portal.') We ate a lovely lunch in her elegant dining room, finishing with tea and little cakes. I was absolutely enchanted to be there looking at all her lovely objets d'art...dishes, furniture, etc. It seemed as if I had entered a magical world...there is no other word for it. In her living room there were two pianos...the Steinway on which she alone practiced, and a black Yamaha upright, which she used for teaching. Later that day Maria drove me around the city, including across the Golden Gate Bridge (the famous 'red bridge') which was magnificent. I fell in love with San Francisco that day, and decided then and there to move to the city, no ifs, ands, or buts. The next day I wrote a letter of resignation to Cottey College, explaining my decision....asking to be released from my contract. I was most relieved to have made the decision and had no qualms about leaving my job, but began making plans to have my belongings shipped to me. Again, I did NOT tell my mother of my decision....(didn't want any additional problems.) Mme. Biro had made arrangements for me to live at a mansion in the town of Woodside, CA....some 30 miles from San Francisco....where I could practice the Steinway piano located there. The property belonged to a friend of hers....Mrs. Clotilde Luce, who was the wife of a distant cousin of Henry Booth Luce (former editor of Time Magazine). Mme. Biro taught at this lovely place twice a week...many students from the area came there to study with her.
And thus began my residency in San Francisco. So much happened in those next four years, that it would be impossible to write it all....and make this impossibly looooong..... So I will relate a few stories that might be interesting....or not!
It became clear that I would need a job of some kind to earn money, so I could afford an apartment. I was only planning to stay in Woodside for the summer months, and then move to San Francisco in the fall. My attention was mostly on my piano studies, but I started thinking about what sort of work I could do in the city. As it turned out, the courses I had taken in commercial studies (in high school school -- shorthand, bookkeeping) were extremely useful in finding work. I was a very fast typist (since age 12) and mother thought I should take bookkeeping and shorthand (this was an era before dictaphones or computers) so I did. The only stumbling block was that I had never held any job requiring these particular skills (only worked as a savings teller in a bank in Spokane). However, as luck would have it, a very lovely man who was president of the west coast division of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, interviewed me when I applied for a position there. It seemed his wife's father was a violinist in the Philadelphia Orchestra, so he was somewhat familiar with the music industry....and moreover, had great respect for musicians. Therefore, he decided to hire me as a secretary for one of the men in his office. My skills as a typist served me well in this instance; I could also take dictation with my shorthand.
My employer and the other men soon learned that I was very good with numbers, and they taught me how to do insurance proposals for them and their agents. (Then they would not have to do them!!) So I became the 'go to' person for facts and figures of the insurance business. I also got a large raise for doing this type of work....in addition to my secretarial duties!!! At some point during this time period, it was decided that I should play a debut recital in San Francisco. (Mme. Biro thought I was ready for this). Arrangements were made and invitations were sent. I also invited all the people in my business world. The amazement that occurred when most of them read the invitation was something to behold. But the real shocker was when I walked onto the stage and proceeded to play a great concert on the large Steinway concert grand. Most of these people had known me ONLY as an employee of Equitable Life, and so there was absolute disbelief. This really blew people's minds! I found it all very amusing and actually funny. Their faces at the end of the concert were all wearing stunned expressions! I loved it! And the next day I was treated completely differently....all because of one concert! THERE IS A LESSON HERE: never, but never presume you know about a person, if you haven't seen them in a myriad of circumstances. Soon after that, I was offered a different position in the company....that of an officer, with a large raise attached!! I was a little stunned at this....as I was not intending to become a professional insurance person. Nonetheless, there it was. Of course, my mother heard about this...and urged me to accept the position. I just told her that was not my destiny, nor my path...that I knew where that lay. Long ago I had realized that she didn't understand me or anything about me. Odd, how that can happen. In the end, of course, I did NOT accept the position, and explained why. Of course, after that concert, most of the men could readily understand and did. Although I was not quite ready to leave San Francisco, I was determined to leave Equitable Life, and work less hours....so I could practice more. And that is exactly what I did.
My next job was easier for me....at a company called 'The Continental Can Company'....and my duties consisted mostly of secretarial work. I worked only four hours, and practiced eight... which made a long day for me. But I was strong, healthy, and determined. My plan was to go to New York City and look for my future in music there. I was not afraid in the least, and felt that good things would happen. At this point, I had met the directors of the San Francisco Ballet Company, and started playing a few ballet classes for this very famous Russian lady who had been a famous dancer. She was very temperamental, but somehow we hit it off....and she wanted only me to play for her. Her name was Ludmilla Shollar, and her husband, Anatole Vilzak, was one of the nicest men I had ever met......a real gentleman. (They were from the BALLET RUSSE.) When I told them of my plans to go to NYC, they recommended that I contact George BALANCHINE, and wrote a lovely recommendation for me to give to him. They both said that Mr. B. (as he was called) would really like me, as I played the piano so well and was also pretty. (Mr. Vilzak was particularly emphatic on this point.) Mr. Balanchine, he said, was very partial to women who were attractive as well as accomplished. This was the first time I had heard about him from people whom I knew. I realized he was very famous, but never in my wildest dreams did I visualize myself as piano soloist for him at the NEW YORK CITY BALLET!
