Mildred Tranchina was my grandmother. She was born July 10, 1925. As a young girl she took piano lessons and enjoyed singing. Her teacher was very pleased with her because she was studious and hardworking. She excelled in music and fell in love with it. As she progressed and got a bit older, her teacher recommended her to colleagues from the Metropolitan Opera House. They listened to Mildred and loved hearing her. They offered to take her in, give her performance opportunities, and teach her to be a professional musician. Mildred’s father, being old fashioned, didn’t believe that women should be doing such things. To him, having children and managing the home were the ultimate jobs for a woman. Unfortunately, to satisfy her father, Mildred didn’t pursue music as a career, but her love of music endured. She continued playing piano as a hobby for many years just for her own enjoyment and relaxation. Years later, she would finally find herself performing for an audience, though a very small one. In her basement, her grandchildren would play and listen. She was the first musician that I looked up to as a little boy. I loved hearing her play the piano. Mildred was always a huge part of our lives, but she became a true mother figure to us when my mom got sick and passed away. She did so much for me over the years that I appreciate so much and will remember always, but hearing her play piano in the basement might be my favorite memory of all.

— Daniel Kleffmann