Leonard Bernstein

conductor · composer · American music · educator

Created West Side Story. Bernstein composed the music for the famous musical West Side Story, which tells a modern version of Romeo and Juliet set in New York City. It's one of the most beloved musicals ever made and won many awards.

Taught music on TV. Bernstein created special television programs called Young People's Concerts where he taught millions of people about classical music in a fun and exciting way. He believed everyone could understand and love great music.

Won tons of awards. Bernstein received seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and 16 Grammy Awards during his life, plus a Kennedy Center Honor in 1981. These are some of the highest honors a musician can receive in America.

First American superstar conductor. Bernstein was the first American-born conductor to become famous around the whole world, not just in Europe. He showed that American musicians could be just as great as the famous European ones.

Did many things well. Bernstein was not just a conductor, but also a composer, pianist, author, and teacher. He could do almost anything in music and was incredibly talented at all of it.