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Leonard Bernstein’s Daughter Carries On His Musical Legacy

February 27, 2012

New York Philharmonic Archives

Legendary composer, social activist and philanthropist Leonard Bernstein still stands as one of music’s most towering figures ever. Best known for his compositions from the musical West Side Story and serving as the longtime music director for the New York Philharmonic, Bernstein’s legacy lives on with some help from his eldest daughter, Jamie.

Jamie Bernstein, a writer and narrator, did not gain her father’s formidable musical abilities. However, she aims to educate young people about the value of music through a travelling musical education show known as the “Bernstein Beat.” Ms. Bernstein was approached by her father’s publishers to create the hit show, which she has featured in both English and Spanish across the states and globally as well.

Her journey from being a child of a music legend to carrying the torch to younger generations was a natural progression, although she never conquered her fears, she says.

“I was going to concerts and hearing music performed at its most superb,” says Bernstein in an interview with Bloomberg. “Then I would go home and sit down at the piano, and these little frogs and spiders would come out of my fingers.”

Ms. Bernstein lived the privileged life as a daughter of a famous father, noting that her father never pushed her to music. She recalls that her father allowed his children to experience the trappings of his fame.

I don’t think I ever felt unwelcome in my father’s presence,” she says.  “My father never really took that for granted himself, and he could re-experience it through us."

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