Includes a live performance of music from the book, by acclaimed cellist Miriam Perkoff and violinist Michael Grossman.
Strings Attached: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations is a powerful memoir about resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy, an inspiring and poignant tale of how one man transformed his heartache into a legacy of joy for his students. His students knew Jerry Kupchynsky as "Mr. K"-the fierce Ukrainian-born music teacher who made them rehearse until their fingers almost bled and, in turn, better than they ever expected to be. Away from the classroom, though, life seemed to conspire against him at every turn. This account takes you on his remarkable journey, from his childhood on the run in Nazi Germany, to his life in America caring for his disabled wife while raising their two small daughters, to his search for his beloved younger daughter after she mysteriously disappeared. Jerry Kupchynsky unforgettable story is lyrically told in alternating chapters by two childhood friends who reconnected decades later: Melanie Kupchynsky, his daughter, and Joanne Lipman, a former student. Heartbreaking yet ultimately triumphant, this memoir is a testament to the astonishing power of hope-and a celebration of the profound impact one person can have on the lives of others.
Joanne Lipman is one of the nation's most prominent journalists and commentators. She was a Deputy Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal and she founded and was Editor-in-Chief of Portfolio. Currently, she is a Newsweek columnist and advisor to news organizations such as CNN and New York Public Radio. She is a frequent television commentator, appearing on CNN, CBS, and CNBC, among others.