Hidden under a stage, in a closet, under floor boards...meet Holocaust survivor Suzanne Cohn
09/24/21 • 26 min
Imagine you making the sign of the cross and saying your prayers at night just as you were taught, but it seems to make your mother sad. In fact, every time you do, she cries. She's grateful that you know them, because they are the very reason you are still alive. But it breaks her heart because she knows what you as a little girl do not...you are Jewish. Imagine a year in a ghetto, days under a school auditorium stage, weeks in a factory utility closet, several years either hiding in a Christian home or posing as the owners' relatives. Imagine arriving in Australia, knowing no one, but grateful you have survived and are finally free to start your life again. And then imagine meeting a young man from abroad, who calls you after he's returned home, and asks you to join him half way across the world to start over yet again. Imagine living the American dream in ways you could never fathom, but never forgetting - in the words of your father - that what matters most is not what you own, but what is in your heart and mind because no one can take that away from you. Meet Suzanne Cohn, a hidden survivor, who finds all of this still hard to imagine even though she's lived it. Hate denied Suzanne's grandmother a long life. As a child, Suzanne witnessed her being selected by the Nazis, who would have her dig a her own grave and then murder her. As the 59 year-old matriarch was taken away, she predicted a long, fruitful one for her granddaughter, and that premonition has been realized. Fruitful in many ways, but what has remained central in Suzanne's mind and heart, is family. The soundtrack for this two part episode is drawn from songs sung by the Keystone State Boychoir for Suzanne at her 80th birthday party. Bobby Hill, soloist. You can join Suzanne at the one night-only Broadway benefit performance of the play dedicated to her, The Last Boy...a new play with music. To find out more, join the e-list here.
Imagine you making the sign of the cross and saying your prayers at night just as you were taught, but it seems to make your mother sad. In fact, every time you do, she cries. She's grateful that you know them, because they are the very reason you are still alive. But it breaks her heart because she knows what you as a little girl do not...you are Jewish. Imagine a year in a ghetto, days under a school auditorium stage, weeks in a factory utility closet, several years either hiding in a Christian home or posing as the owners' relatives. Imagine arriving in Australia, knowing no one, but grateful you have survived and are finally free to start your life again. And then imagine meeting a young man from abroad, who calls you after he's returned home, and asks you to join him half way across the world to start over yet again. Imagine living the American dream in ways you could never fathom, but never forgetting - in the words of your father - that what matters most is not what you own, but what is in your heart and mind because no one can take that away from you. Meet Suzanne Cohn, a hidden survivor, who finds all of this still hard to imagine even though she's lived it. Hate denied Suzanne's grandmother a long life. As a child, Suzanne witnessed her being selected by the Nazis, who would have her dig a her own grave and then murder her. As the 59 year-old matriarch was taken away, she predicted a long, fruitful one for her granddaughter, and that premonition has been realized. Fruitful in many ways, but what has remained central in Suzanne's mind and heart, is family. The soundtrack for this two part episode is drawn from songs sung by the Keystone State Boychoir for Suzanne at her 80th birthday party. Bobby Hill, soloist. You can join Suzanne at the one night-only Broadway benefit performance of the play dedicated to her, The Last Boy...a new play with music. To find out more, join the e-list here.
Previous Episode
Black Americans only make up 1.8% of professional orchestra members. Meet one of them...St. Louis Symphony Orchestra violist Michael Casimir
This podcast has often remembered young men who never realized their potential because of hate and discrimination. Here's a young man who HAS - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra violist Michael Casimir. Michael was raised in West Philadelphia, a real life Fresh Prince of...Missouri. Unlike Will Smith's character, Michael was not troubled. In fact, his father's dedication to his son's musical future ensured Michael didn't have a lot of time to get in trouble. But that's not to say he didn't have fun and get into a bit of mischief along the way - including his concert tour adventures in South Africa, Brazil, Alaska and Japan as a founding member of Keystone State Boychoir. Michael recounts hilarious stories with his fellow choirboys, as well as how his experiences in a boychoir helped him achieve his dream. He and host Steve Fisher also talk frankly about racism - not only in the world, but within ourselves. Don't miss Part 1 of a fascinating three part conversation with someone who has beat the odds. You can visit Michael's website here. The piece heard throughout this podcast is Handel/Halvorsen's Passacglia for violin and viola, with Elissa Lee Koljonen on violin and Michael Casimir on viola. To watch it on YouTube, click here. Join the e-list by clicking here and be entered into a drawing to win a trip to New York to see The Last Boy...a new play with music on Broadway, meet the cast backstage and attend the VIP after-party.
Next Episode
Black Musicians Matter - Part 2 with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra violist Michael Casimir
This is Part 2 of a great three-part conversation with St. Louis Symphony Orchestra violist Michael Casimir. If you, or someone you know, wants to be a professional artist, this is a must listen. Michael answers the big question - does he think young people should "go for it." The episode begins with him resolving the cliff hanger at the end of Part 1 - does he still hear those voices in his head that tell him he got the job because he's a person of color. He gives props to teacher Roberto Diaz of Curtis Institute who inspired him to not go down the road of pursuing substitute positions reserved for black musicians, and instead "break down the door" by striving to be the best of the best and win a position outright based on sheer talent. He talks about having stand partners at Julliard and Curtis years younger than him who played better, and how it lead to panic attacks over thoughts of being an unemployed musician. Michael offers fascinating insights into the harrowing process of auditioning for professional orchestras. Host Steve Fisher also shares what he typically advises young people to do when they ask if they should go into the arts, and cites the exception he made with Michael's fellow Keystone State Boychoir (KSB) alum Bobby Hill in the aftermath of his spontaneous, viral performance for the Pope. Steve and Michael talk about the importance of authentic partner arts programs with under-resourced schools, the importance of community-based arts programs for both underserved AND privileged young people. Steve tells a funny but poignant story about two founding members of KSB, from very different backgrounds, on a flight to South Africa. Steve and Michael also muse on other topics, such as how not boring your audience is more important than being artistically perfect, letting your body "sing," and what it takes to get your task master Dad to finally give you the keys to the car. You can visit Michael's website here. Join the podcast e-list by clicking here and be entered into a drawing to win a trip to New York to see The Last Boy...a new play with music on Broadway, meet the cast backstage and attend the VIP after-party.
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