LAF: You are the director and founder of the Stuart School and have taught music for quite a while. How long have you been teaching and do many of your students go on to pursue a career in the music industry?
LAF: I met you last spring while you played up-right bass in the Chuck Laveroni Swing Band, weekends at Creekside Bistro. My first thought when I saw you setting up was "this is very cool - a woman is playing bass." Can you share with us any "stories" that have come about because of you being a woman musician?
LG: "Where do I begin!" There is seldom any job I play that someone does not come up to me and state, "I never saw a woman bass player before, you sure don't look like one." Someday I want to find out what a woman bass player is supposed to look like. Until that time I will just take that statement as a compliment.
LAF: You are the director and founder of the Stuart School and have taught music for quite a while. How long have you been teaching and do many of your students go on to pursue a career in the music industry?
LG: I started teaching music in public schools in New York, in 1961, and I have taught in some school every year since. I have no idea how many students I have started on an instrument or how many are still playing. But after almost 40 years of teaching, there must be music joy out there for a lot of people. Since 1977 my husband and I have owned and operated a private elementary school in Santa Rosa named Stuart School (named for my parents). I am the Director of the school and actually teach very little, due to the tasks of running a school for 100 students. So I always say I have my day job at school and my night job with my music. Busy is my middle name.
LAF: How do you feel about the "type" of young musicians and the music that is currently getting air time on the radio and MTV? Also, how do you feel about the resurgence of Swing Music and Dance that is sweeping the country?
LG: You can really show your "age" by not liking the new music that is out. I still stand by the idea that music must have a good quality sound, be in tune and carry a rhythm. But I am pleased to see young people today enjoying Gershwin, Berlin, Porter and all the great big band music. The more this music "sweeps" the country, the more work I will get.
LAF: I always ask this question. I know that "my soul" is that of an artist. There is nothing else that I could have done and been satisfied. How do you feel about being a musician? How do you handle the "balancing act"?
LG: In the 9th grade we all had to choose three occupations we might consider when we grew up and I only chose one: Music. I always knew I would be in music, (both my parents were musicians) and nothing has ever changed that. For whatever I am today, music is no doubt the main reason. I cannot think of a more wonderful life than to live through music. Balance: work, marriage, motherhood, music etc. Every woman knows what that means. Probably I would have loved to have been the world's greatest bass player but regrets, heavens no. I am driven in every aspect of my life and I work at it every minute of my day. When it is all over and done, I plan to get to heaven and say, I am here because all my parts are worn out.
LAF: I always ask this question, too. Who were the persons who influenced and encouraged you the most in your artistic career and what did they do to help you?
LG: My parents were in music and show business and I always wanted to be just like them. Thanks to my 6th grade music teacher Miss Alice Reed as well, who made every kid play an instrument. Where are those teachers today?
LAF: Since we've met, I also met your middle daughter when she "sat-in" a few times with the band last summer. It turns out she is an established musician in her own right, and I have heard that your other daughters are talented musicians as well. It is obvious that you nurtured and trained all of your daughters in a musical sense. We learn so much from our children; I was wondering how your daughters inspired you musically?
LG: Gad, yes they inspire me just to keep playing! All three girls are wonderful and I cannot keep up with any of them. I was never the mother that Andrea is, I will never be the musician that Kristina is and I quit trying to understand Cara Lyn's school work when she was in the 9th grade. Plus each of them is a size 8 and beautiful!
LG: We can finally do it. Show business has always been a groundbreaker for women and diverse groups. Talent and music is one area that most of us are viewed on an equal basis. So girls.... Go for it.
Place of Residence: San Rafael, Ca.
Family: My Husband Ralph is a former Marin School Superintendent and Kazoo player. I have 3 daughters: Andrea, fabulous mother of 2 boys, another on the way and a terrific cellist. Kristina, has been an outstanding violinist since the age of 5. She began as a Suzuki classical violinist at age 3 and today is very well known in the world of violin Jazz, Blues and Pop. She has made several recordings and works all over the world as a performer and vocalist. Cara Lyn, the "brain" of the three girls as well as a fine cellist, is a sophomore at Pepperdine University in Pre-Med and holds a full academic scholarship at the University.
Musical Discipline: I began the string bass in the sixth grade, being the tallest kid in school who could read bass clef. Through a music degree at Florida State University I studied classical bass. Today I am having a "ball" in the Swing Society playing Swing, Blues and Jazz.
Favorite Musicians: I still have my original classical "bent" and put J.S. Bach on the top of my list, but any good artist today in Jazz is high on my list.
Musical Studies: My mother thought I was way "too educated" and she is no doubt correct. I have a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University, a Masters in Music from San Francisco State University, another Masters in Education from San Francisco State University and a Ph.D. from Century University.
Recent Performances: I play with the Swing Society almost every weekend and for just about every occasion possible.
Current Performances: Our band plays at Rancho Nicasio Restaurant the first Saturday of every month and the Creekside Bistro in San Anselmo during the summer months. Mac's Hotel and Restaurant in Point Richmond has also had a trio from the band on Friday and Saturday nights.
Photographic Images provided
by Lyn Giovanniello
© 1999. All Rights Reserved.
No images published herein may be duplicated, printed, or published on the internet or
elsewhere, without the express permission of the artist.
Interview by Lorien Fenton
Page Design by Hilary Kretchmer
