"Sailor with a Heart" by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

How would you like to meet a very fine family man and learn by his example?

I’m going to tell you about this caring family man, son, brother, husband, father, friend, and neighbor. His name was Kevin Matthew Phillips.

He lived next to my family in our neighborhood with his wife and three children.

On a crisp Spring day after work, as I pulled into our drive way ,I noticed our neighbor, Kevin, working on an old boat in his side yard with his young son Trenton.

I asked about the boat and Kevin said, "The boat was my Grandfather's and we are restoring his boat as a legacy for Trenton". Kevin was teaching his son how to replace the rotted wood on the hull by re-gluing new treated wood in its place to preserve it for the next generation. They were both smiling and enjoying their work together.

A couple of months later, my husband and I piloted our boat to one of our favorite places, Factory Point. This little slice of heaven is adorned with a beach on one side and a bird sanctuary on the other. As we walked on the beach, we were greeted by the smiling faces of Kevin, his wife Kirstie,and their children, Trenton, Makenna, and Whitney Mae. They were enjoying a wonderful day together playing in the sand and swimming.

Later in the season, a terrible storm slammed into our area, and our dock in the back yard of our house was covered by water. I noticed our boat coming loose and ran out to tighten the ropes. I was having trouble tightening the ropes securing our boat to the dock. While the water was rising and the wind was blowing, I felt another pair of hands, Kevin's, helping me to tie the boat tighter.


What lessons have we learned from Kevin Phillips?

He was always willing to listen and help solve a problem. He listened intently when someone was talking. Kevin was always there when family, friends, and neighbors needed a hand and would guide them through the problem.

So remember to listen carefully, keep your eyes open to see what's happening around you. When you see someone needing help in a storm or any other time, lend them a hand.

Kevin Matthew Phillips passed away on June 16, 2013. He was 40 years old and his life was cut short, but his legacy lives on. His family, friends, and neighbors were blessed to have known such a wonderful caring person who was always willing to lend a hand. Kevin had a passion for being on his boat and sharing this passion with his family and friends.



Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling author, sought after speaker, business owner, teacher, researcher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up Their Businesses." Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips Blog " and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com

“Lessons from Great-Great Grandma” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

If someone was trying to kill you and your family would you leave your home?

In 1898 you and your family, the Goldean's traveled by ship to escape the violent massacres in Russia of Jewish families condoned by Czar Alexander III.

You have just arrived in America, the land of opportunity where you have the right to religious freedom to worship as you choose. Your home will be in Newport News, Virginia with your parents and sister. Your parents are very religious and have chosen a man for you to marry from the old country. But you have met and fallen in love with an American boy.

Your parents say you cannot marry him. "We have chosen your husband, David Shapiro." The man you are to marry speaks many languages and is considered very educated and is a Hebrew schoolteacher. He has no refinement, but to honor your parents you must marry him. Your name is Bechie Goldean Shapiro.

After a year of marriage, you make a wonderful dinner with a lovely tablecloth on the table with your finest china, silver ware, and glassware. Your new husband sits down and pulls off the tablecloth saying, "It is much to fancy for me." He has a remarkable gift for removing the Tablecloth from the table without damaging the dishes or silverware but he is unable to earn a living with that skill.

What will you do? You have to find a way to support your husband and child. You have a baby daughter Belle.
You have several beautiful teacups and saucers. You decide to try selling them on the side of Jefferson Avenue. That day you discover you have a gift for selling and over time you start a department store called Shapiro's. It becomes a family department store where housewares, clothes, and shoes are sold for men, women, and children. Your daughter Belle will work at your store as a teenager as will your son Max.

On her daughter Belle's 20th birthday on August 12, 1924 Bechie Goldean Shapiro dies of Cancer. Belle Shapiro Frank, my father's mother, and my grandmother continue the store. Belle buys beautiful clothes for women in New York City. She married before her mother's death a man she chose, my grandpa Louis Charles Frank from Lithuania.

Grandpa came to America as a young teen-ager, 11 or 12 years old, and always jokingly said he arrived by covered wagon to America. He worked in the men's department store of Shapiro's as did their son, Robert, my father. Robert worked as a teenager in the shoe department. After working at Shapiro's Department store helping people who had forgotten to wash their feet try on shoes, he was inspired to study harder so he could go to college and become an engineer or a doctor. He was the first in his family to graduate college. Shapiro's Department Store lived on to support the Shapiro and Frank family for over 25 years.

What are the 3 lessons you can you learn from Great- Grandma Shapiro about solving your problems?

1) Have a positive attitude and always have a paper and pencil ready, wherever you are, in case you think of a solution to your problem.

2) Give yourself time each day to ponder your problem. Be observant and listen carefully to others, as you never know where you will find your solution.

3) Think of your problem as an opportunity and a new door or window will open up for you and never give up on solving your problem.

Great- Grandma Shapiro found she had a gift for selling and it was her opportunity to make a living and support her husband and child.

By following these three steps you will be able to solve your problem like Great- Grandma Beckie Goldean Shapiro and turn your problem into an opportunity to learn, grow, and change your life for the better.


Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, motivational teacher, researcher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget".

Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at mfrankviola@gmail.com

“Lessons from Great-Great Grandma” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

If someone was trying to kill you and your family would you leave your home?

In 1898 you and your family, the Goldean's traveled by ship to escape the violent massacres in Russia of Jewish families condoned by Czar Alexander III.

You have just arrived in America, the land of opportunity where you have the right to religious freedom to worship as you choose. Your home will be in Newport News, Virginia with your parents and sister. Your parents are very religious and have chosen a man for you to marry from the old country. But you have met and fallen in love with an American boy.

Your parents say you cannot marry him. "We have chosen your husband, David Shapiro." The man you are to marry speaks many languages and is considered very educated and is a Hebrew schoolteacher. He has no refinement, but to honor your parents you must marry him. Your name is Bechie Goldean Shapiro.

After a year of marriage, you make a wonderful dinner with a lovely tablecloth on the table with your finest china, silver ware, and glassware. Your new husband sits down and pulls off the tablecloth saying, "It is much to fancy for me." He has a remarkable gift for removing the Tablecloth from the table without damaging the dishes or silverware but he is unable to earn a living with that skill.

What will you do? You have to find a way to support your husband and child. You have a baby daughter Belle.

You have several beautiful teacups and saucers. You decide to try selling them on the side of Jefferson Avenue. That day you discover you have a gift for selling and over time you start a department store called Shapiro's. It becomes a family department store where housewares, clothes, and shoes are sold for men, women, and children. Your daughter Belle will work at your store as a teenager as will your son Max.

On her daughter Belle's 20 th birthday on August 12, 1924 Bechie Goldean Shapiro dies of Cancer. Belle Shapiro Frank, my father's mother, and my grandmother continue the store. Belle buys beautiful clothes for women in New York City. She married before her mother's death a man she chose, my grandpa Louis Charles Frank from Lithuania.

Grandpa came to America as a young teen-ager, 11 or 12 years old, and always jokingly said he arrived by covered wagon to America. He worked in the men's department store of Shapiro's as did their son, Robert, my father. Robert worked as a teenager in the shoe department. After working at Shapiro's Department store helping people who had forgotten to wash their feet try on shoes, he was inspired to study harder so he could go to college and become an engineer or a doctor. He was the first in his family to graduate college. Shapiro's Department Store lived on to support the Shapiro and Frank family for over 25 years.

What are the 3 lessons you can you learn from Great- Grandma Shapiro about solving your problems?

1) Have a positive attitude and always have a paper and pencil ready, wherever you are, in case you think of a solution to your problem.

2) Give yourself time each day to ponder your problem. Be observant and listen carefully to others, as you never know where you will find your solution.

3) Think of your problem as an opportunity and a new door or window will open up for you and never give up on solving your problem.

Great- Grandma Shapiro found she had a gift for selling and it was her opportunity to make a living and support her husband and child.

By following these three steps you will be able to solve your problem like
Great- Grandma Beckie Goldean Shapiro and turn your problem into an opportunity to learn, grow, and change your life for the better.


Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, motivational teacher, researcher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget".

Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at mfrankviola@gmail.com

An Encouraging Teacher by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

Have you ever studied with a teacher who was willing to remove a roadblock to help you reach your goal? Did you ever have a teacher who encouraged, inspired, and motivated you to move to the next level?

Where did I meet Professor Peter Zaret?

I met Professor Peter Zaret when I was 17 years old, auditioning for a scholarship to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. He was tall, dark, and handsome, dressed neatly, sitting on the edge of a desk wearing the biggest smile you had ever seen. He instantly put the auditioning students at ease giving them confidence and encouragement. I played well for him and he offered me a full scholarship to the University. I was to play with the Richmond Symphony as part of the scholarship obligation, study and excel in my freshman year courses at VCU, assist Professor Zaret in teaching his adult beginning violin class, and study the violin with Professor Zaret.

I later learned that Professor Zaret was 32 years old. At VCU, Professor Zaret was Assistant Professor of Violin and Chamber music, and 1st violinist of the VCU String Quartet in Richmond, Virginia. He was also Concert Master of the Richmond Symphony. By playing in the Richmond Symphony violin section I could watch and learn how Professor Zaret led his first violin section and played all the solo violin parts.

All the members of Professor Zaret’s Quartet were marvelous musicians, teachers, and award winning musicians. The members were Peter Sacco, 2nd violinist, Leonard Gibbs, violist, and Gisela Depkat, cellist. Their quartet had a rich warm full sound and played beautifully together. On stage they looked like they enjoyed playing together.

What was special about studying with Professor Zaret?

He taught his students how to make beautiful phrases by understand the story line of the music. He taught his students how to phrase each line of music and how to move your bow and connect your vibrato through your fingers.

Professor Zaret taught by example with a beautiful smile and a kind word showing you how to play the musical phrase by playing for you and then asking you to play the phrase back. He was always enthusiastic, inspiring, patient, and helped you get over any roadblocks. His violin playing was beautiful with a rich tone and singing musical phrases.

Professor Zaret taught how to have continuous vibrato from finger to finger, and helped me play beautiful phrases and pull them out with the bow. He would say, “There are no dead notes in a piece of music.” Professor Zaret would show you how the string vibrated when it makes contact with the bow. He showed his students how to move the bow in a figure 8 pattern. He taught me the Delius Violin Sonata, the Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor, and works by J S Bach and had you perform them in public concerts at VCU.

Later I found out that Professor Zaret was born and raised in New York City with his two brothers. His father, Matthew Zaret was a physicist who played the bass and his mother, Lillian Diamond Zaret had studied the piano as a child. His parents filled their home with Classical music.

When Professor Zaret was in kindergarten, at the age of 5 ½, he began taking private violin lessons. He was always fascinated with sound production on the violin and enjoyed studying science.

Professor Zaret said, “His middle brother played cello and his little brother played the violin. Both were very good. One went into the photo copying business and the younger brother became a sports caster. He says, "He loved sports as a kid and we all played a lot of football and baseball."

Professor Zaret says, “He adopted his father, Matthew Zaret's analytical approach to solving problems in teaching and in later years Professor Zaret designed his patented bass bar using his father's analytical approach.”

While I was studying with Professor Zaret at Virginia Commonweal University, he would go to Washington to have the sound post adjusted in his violin for the best possible sound. Professor Zaret said, “He would ask a lot of questions.”
He was always striving for each of his students to produce the most beautiful sounds we could on our violins. Sound production on the violin was very important to Professor Zaret.

After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Zaret opened his first violin shop in his garage to supplement his salary as a Professor at Norfolk State University and as Concert Master of the Norfolk Symphony. He says, “His business grew from there."

Several years later, "Dr. Zaret explored bass bars for the violin, viola, and cello and he patented how to add them, to make any instrument sound better.”

Dr. Zaret says, “This business is based one big myth that there is a “secret” Stradivarius had. Once I got into the business I realized there is no such thing as an absolute when working with an instrument in the violin family. I can manipulate the bass bar and the thickness’s of the violin to make it sound with more power and at the same time more warmth and richness.”

Professor Zaret said, “The teacher who most inspired him was Joseph Fuchs, a marvelous violinist, who was his violin professor at the Juilliard School where he earned his Bachelor and Masters of Music degree from 1959-1964.

As the year at VCU progressed, Professor Zaret encouraged me to go for my dream of auditioning for the Juilliard School and prepared me for the audition. It was a proud moment for both Professor Zaret and myself when I was awarded a place at the Juilliard School and when I graduated with a Bachelor and Masters degree in Music from the Juilliard School in 1976 and 1977.

For over 40 years Dr. Zaret has inspired, motivated, encouraged, and shared his gift of teaching and performing as a Concertmaster for orchestras and as a college professor with students and audiences across the United States. With the invention of his “Patented Bass Bar” for violin, viola, cello, and bass Dr. Zaret has made it possible for students, professional musicians, and amateur musicians to purchase an instrument with a fine powerful rich tone at a reasonable price. To learn more about this wonderful legacy of Dr. Zaret and his other inventions for string instruments click on the link below:
https://www.zaretandsonsviolins.com/tonal-enhancement

What 3 things did Professor Peter Zaret teach his students that benefitted them through their life’s journey?

1) He taught his students to wear a big smile on their faces, have a positive attitude, and he showed his students how to play the passage in question on his violin and asked each one to play it back. He taught them using “the Learning by Example” approach.

2) He taught his students by encouraging, motivating, and inspiring them to do their best work. He was always kind, patient, and compassionate with each student and they knew he cared about them and believed in them. He removed roadblocks from their path and made each of his students believe in themselves.

3) He taught his students to never give up and to strive for a beautiful sound every time they drew their bows across the strings of their violins.
To hear the wonderful artistry of Dr. Peter Zaret on the violin and viola type in Peter Zaret YouTube and you too can enjoy his boundless gift of music!
Dr. Peter Zaret inspired, motivated, encouraged, and removed roadblocks from his students’ paths. Every teacher should leave this legacy.


Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, motivational teacher,researcher,and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly article & Musical Tips Blog" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget."

Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at mfrankviola@gmail.com

The Importance of Customer Service by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

Do your employees deliver world-class customer service in your organization or business? How well do you take care of your customers?

Recently on the CBS News it was reported that Itzhak Perlman, world renowned virtuoso violinist, who has had polio since he was a child and uses a mobile scoter and crutches, arrived in the Toronto Canada Airport to play a charity concert that night. Mr. Perlman and his agents had arranged with the Air Canada Airlines, for a “disability assistant to help him through customs ” as they had done for 40 years.

Mr. Perlman said, “He was met by a man who took one of his bags and accompanied him to an elevator. And said, “Well, that's where I leave you.”

Mr. Perlman said, ‘What do you mean 'where I leave you?''

At that point “the man” loaded all Mr. Perlman’s bags in Mr. Perlman’s lap with his violin and crutches.”

Mr. Perlman asked about his carry on bag?

The man responded, “Well, it's not my problem that you chose to carry an extra bag. And besides, I'm not your personal assistant. You're not paying me anything. .. I've got to go, I've got other flights to take care of.”

Mr. Perlman said “He just left me there.

He said, “I looked up and there was a sign saying ‘Welcome to Canada.’ “I felt abandoned. I felt like I was kind of helpless.”

This situation should never have happened to Mr. Perlman or anyone else!

How well are your employees trained? Could this happen in your business or organization?

What are the 5 things you should train your employees about delivering world-class customer service?

1) Your employees should always smile, have a positive attitude, stand up straight, be dressed for success with their hair combed, be polite, and helpful to their customers.

2) A customer should feel like an honored guest in your organization or business and treated with courtesy and respect in a friendly and polite manner. Remember first impressions are lasting impressions and can never be repeated. First impressions last forever!

3) Your employees should speak to their customers and their family members as if they are honored guests in a reliable and timely manner and continue helping them until the job is completed! Your employees want their customers to be happy with their world-class service and want their customers to be repeat customers and recommend their friends to come visit their organization or business.

4) Your employees should treat their customer’s purchases as if they were their own, with care. If they are airport disability employees, they should help disabled passengers through customs, to the next airlines, or to their cars.

5) Your employees should be so proud of the service they deliver they are willing to give out their card with their name on it and the name of your organization. World-class customer service means employees serve their customers until the job is completed!

Remember it's all about training your employees to deliver world-class customer service and make sure they follow through and deliver it each and every time!


Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your businesses successful.
For more information about booking Dr.

Madeline Frank for your next event email her at mfrankviola@gmail.com or visit http://madelinefrank.com/.

A Compassionate Influence in a Student’s Life by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

Have you ever had a teacher who really wanted to teach you?
As a teacher what is the most important thing you can do for your students?

You have to genuinely care about your students and believe in their ability to learn. As a teacher you must be kind and patient with your student and be willing to help them solve their problems.

I'm going to tell you about the greatest compassionate teacher I know. His name is William "Bill" Whitson. What was so special about Mr. Whitson? He had a burning passion to share his knowledge of playing the violin with you. He had a kindness and patience that he directed at his students.

When did I meet Mr. William Whitson?

The summer I was eight years old my Mom, Romayne Leader Frank, arranged for me to take violin lessons with Mr. Whitson. Mr. Whitson was Mom's last hope. She had tried every type of reading class available and still, I was unable to read.

What was my first impression of Mr. Whitson as an 8-year-old child?

Mr. Whitson was a tall, handsome, young man who looked at me with a big smile, with a bright light shining from his eyes, that said without saying a word, you can be a good student, and I will show you how.
His positive attitude just glowed from him. He was in the military. I did not know at the time that he was only 23 years old.

He looked delighted to be teaching me. It was the first time I had a teacher that smiled and really looked like he actually liked me and wanted to teach me. My first impression of Mr. Whitson is the finest example of what a teacher should be.

At our first lesson, Mr. Whitson taught me how to hold the violin, how to hold the bow, how to read the notes on the musical page, and where to put my fingers on the violin to play the theme from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. He also taught me how to maintain my violin and bow and to clean it after playing; wiping the rosin off the violin and bow with a soft cotton cloth.

When Mr. Whitson and I finished my first violin lesson, I asked my Mom to take me to the Library. I wanted to read all about Beethoven.

You see Mr. Whitson did the impossible. By teaching me to play the violin, he taught me to read the musical notes on the page, which is parallel to reading a book. That summer the light went on and I began my journey of playing the violin and learned to read.

During the summer, Mr. Whitson would give me a violin lesson and then he and my Dad, Dr. Robert J. Frank, would go fly fishing on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. They always had a wonderful time and we had great dinners during those summers.

Mr. Whitson asked my parents if I could attend his chamber music concert? My parents agreed and we traveled in his car, a 1957 Corvette, with another musician a French Hornist, named Ms. Linda. The Chamber Music concert was wonderful. It was my first time attending a classical music concert, where we heard a piano trio for violin, French horn, and piano. It was a terrific concert. The three musicians played so well together. I also enjoyed the ride to and from the concert in Mr. Whitson’s Thunderbird.

I studied with Mr. Whitson for 2 years until he completed his military service and returned home to Palo Alto, California to found his Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, where he was the musical director and conductor for 37 years.

Thanks to Mr. Whitson I became a good student in school and continued playing and studying the violin. At 17, I played for the first time at Carnegie Hall and went on to earn two degrees from the Juilliard School, where Mr. Whitson had also studied. I performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, played concerts with Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, Natalie Cole, and performed concerts and recitals around the world also teaching classes as a visiting professor. Later I went on to earn a Ph.D. in Administration/Management with an emphasis on Total Quality Management.

Mr. William Whitson made all of this possible because of his belief in my ability even when I had no belief in myself and could not read. I still remember as a child of 8, Mr. Whitson looking at me with his bright shining eyes that said, without saying a word, you can learn to read and be a good student, and I will show you how!

Many years later, the summer of 1990, Mr. Whitson asked me to coach chamber music and give a master class for his viola students in his Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra summer camp. I was honored to be coaching and teaching his students just as he had taught me all those years ago. Because of his love and passion for teaching and playing chamber music and working with his students, I have spent many wonderful years patiently and with kindness teaching students as well.

Some of these students were also unable to read and because of Mr. Whitson’s fine example as a teacher, I was able to teach them how to read, and become good students through playing the violin, viola, or cello.

Mr. William “Bill” Whitson taught for over 40 years, winning many awards, and making a difference in so many students’ lives. He taught his students to strive for excellence, to be the very best people they could be, and to share their love of music with others. His legacy is boundless. His many former students are playing and teaching around the world and I am proud to be one of them. With Mr. Whitson nothing was impossible.

What 3 things did Mr. William Whitson teach me about teaching students?

1) As a teacher he taught me how to be kind and patient with each student. Your students need to know you care about them and believe in them.
2) To always have a big smile on your face, a bright shinning light in your eyes, and have a positive attitude, and make it fun and inviting to learn.
3) Become an expert in your field, never stop studying and learning and always be willing to help others. Dr. Georgi Lozanov , Father of Accelerated Learning said, “ Learning is a matter of attitude, not aptitude.”

Remember to Mr. Whitson nothing was impossible.

What 3 lessons did Mr. William “Bill” Whitson teach his students that benefitted us our entire lives?

1) How to concentrate, be disciplined, be cooperative, stay motivated, and how to work as a team.
2) How to take care of our violins, violas, cellos, or basses, which taught us self-esteem and self-worth.
3) Reading musical notes on the page taught us how to read the words in a book.

William Whitson passed away on August 8, 2001. His family, his students, and his friends were blessed to have known such a wonderful caring compassionate person who shared his passion for learning and playing classical music. His legacy lives on through the many students he trained to be excellent compassionate teachers, musicians, conductors, and thinkers.



Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an author, sought after speaker, motivational teacher, researcher, business owner, and concert artist. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget".

Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at mfrankviola@gmail.com

Remember the Important People In Your Life by Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM

Have you shown anyone an attitude of gratitude lately? Do you have a mentor, teacher, coach, or friend who has guided you on your journey through life? When did you thank them for helping you? Talent is not enough. Someone has to help you direct traffic and inspire and motivate you for success.

Zig Ziglar said, “Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the Attitude of Gratitude is the most important and by far most life changing."

As a young student, my roommate, Anna Brady, a wonderful violist, artist, and scholarship student from New Jersey from a family of 9 siblings, introduced me to her teacher at the Juilliard School, Professor William Lincer. He was the former Principal Violist of the Cleveland Orchestra, the former Principal Violist of the New York Philharmonic, a member of the Gordon Quartet, and had been teaching for over 40 years.

Professor Lincer heard me play and immediately added me into his chamber music class. Throughout the year he motivated and inspired me to be the very best violinist I could be. He was a marvelous teacher patiently working with each member of my chamber group to improve their playing. He called me the “red hot fiddler” because he enjoyed my musical phrasing. At the end of that year, I decided to switch instruments to the viola so I could study with Professor Lincer as one of his viola students the following September.

Professor Lincer sent me that summer to the University of Cincinnati Congress of Strings on full scholarship to study with his former student Mr. Eugene Becker. Becker was a marvelous teacher, violist in the New York Philharmonic, and later the Assistant Principal Violist of the Philharmonic. He taught me to enjoy the rich deep sound of the viola and inspired his students to work hard and do their best. I began the summer sitting last chair in the viola section of the orchestra at Cincinnati Congress of Strings and by the end of the summer moved to the Principal Viola chair and played an 8 bar viola solo. For several summers I studied with Mr. Eugene Becker and appreciated his help and guidance.

I continued studying with Professor Lincer through my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and continued to study viola and chamber music with him for many years after finishing at the Juilliard.

When I began studying with Professor Lincer, he sent me to a Yoga Class for exercise, Alexander Technique classes for posture and movement and meditation classes to release stress. He was dedicated to helping each student be his or her best. He also had a reading list and you read and studied the book and wrote a report on it to Professor Lincer to make sure you understood the importance of the book. He was interested in motivating, inspiring, and encouraging his students to be as educated as possible and was always reading and studying to improve his ability as a teacher and mentor.

Professor William Lincer taught for 70 years working “to unlock a student’s special talent.” Before Professor Lincer died in August 1997, he made me promise to write to Dr. Gerald Edelman and Dr. Oliver Sacks. I wrote both doctors and received letters from both of them, which I treasure. Dr. Edelman wrote in his letter, “I was sad to hear that Professor Lincer died. He was a superb musician and a broad ranging spirit.”

Dr. Gerald Edelman is a violinist, medical doctor, researcher, and Nobel Prize winner for his work in immunology. He had also been working on his study of the brain. Professor Lincer admired, Dr. Edelman’s book “Bright Air, Brilliant Fire: On The Matter Of The Mind”.

Dr. Oliver Sacks is a pianist, medical doctor specializing in Neurology and uses music to help his patients heal faster. Dr. Edelman says, “This power of music to integrate and cure, to liberate the Parkinsonian and give him freedom while it lasts..is quite fundamental, and seen in every patient.” Dr. Sacks has written many books on his work with his patients. His first book “Awakenings” was made into a movie.

Professor Lincer encouraged me over the years to do research into music and the brain and study how so many scientists, mathematicians, and medical doctors were also musicians. The research turned into my book, “The Secret of Teaching Science and Math Through Music” an Amazon.com best seller.

Studying a musical instrument is a powerful tool for teaching students discipline, teamwork, concentration, and self esteem.

Coach John Wooden said, “It takes 10 hands to make a basket.” Remember to be a success and reach your goal it takes many teachers, coaches, friends, and mentors to help you on your journey through life. No one does it alone.

So what are 3 things you should do to thank your teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends for helping you to succeed on your journey?

1) Start a note book today and write in it the names of your teachers, mentors, coaches, and friends who have made a difference in your life and do something nice for them.

2) Honor a special person in your life on a weekly basis by acts of kindness to others.Zig Ziglar said, "Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the Attitude of Gratitude is the most important and by far most life changing."

3) Remember that if we help others we will be helping ourselves at the same time.

Be grateful for your blessings and thank your teachers, mentors, friends, and coaches who have helped you on your journey.

What have I learned from Anna Brady, Professor William Lincer, and Mr. Eugene Becker?

1) To think calmly, clearly, and be persistent about solving problems and reaching goals.

2) To have a teachable spirit.

3) To teach others and help them learn and grow.

Coach John Wooden said, “It takes 10 hands to make a basket.” To be a success it takes the help of teachers, friends, and coaches to reach your goal. No one does it alone.



Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, motivational teacher, researcher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations “Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget".

Contact Madeline Frank for your next speaking engagement at mfrankviola@gmail.com