I was lucky enough to have a couple very good teachers. My brother was my first teacher--he taught me music theory and some composition while he taught me the violin. Then, after my parents died, I started studying under an Italian operatic composer, then an opera singer...and then, Maestro Gassmann found me, and took me under his wing. [he sounds so fond of the man, voice softening] He took me to Vienna, and funded my musical education from there. I would not be anywhere near where I am now without him.