My kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Casey and my senior English/lit teacher Miss Bertha Clark. Miss Clark was quite formidable and wore her hair in a twisted bun on top of her head. 3 of us wanted to know how long her hair really was so we screwed up our courage, stayed after school one day and asked her.

Would you believe she actually took it down for us??? All the way to the floor!

She could make anyone love The Bard, and also let us get credit for 'Independent Reading'. A treasure of a teacher.

My parents for starting me on 'violin' lessons and their love of all music in general. Stuart Mossman for introducing me to 'fiddle' music (as opposed to violin)

The cop who 'busted' me for shoplifting at age 8. Frog marched me to the cop shop, called my dad who was at work. Believe me, I never, ever, ever stole another thing.

And, my parents just for being who they were. Instilled manners, music, values, trust (too much sometimes maybe) and love.