Maybe that's what I've based my career on: getting up earlier than everyone else so I get an extra couple of hours.

My parents' names were Florian and Mabel Smith. My mother's maiden name was Dersam. They were of German heritage and were part of a family community with my grandparents and uncles and relatives. I was an only child.

People, even children, aren't really afraid of change. They're afraid of not being prepared for change.

It [piano lessons] wasn't a priority, but it was an interest and through that I became acquainted with classical music, which was a main interest at the time.

I was always kind of naïve, and really needed to be given some direction.

My parents never prevented me from doing anything, but they didn't have the knowledge of the arts that Mrs. Ranger had.

When life closes a door, God opens a window.