Who is Nadia Boulanger?

"Nadia Boulanger was probably the most renowned composition teacher that the world has ever seen."
- Quincy Jones

Nadia Boulanger was a composer, organist and conductor, but above all one of the most influential pedagogues of the 20th century. As "music's greatest teacher" (The New York Times), she attracted the biggest names in music to her teaching room: from Quincy Jones and Philip Glass to Daniel Barenboim, and even Joe Raposo - the man behind the music of Sesame Street. She was known for her legendary work ethic (according to pianist Alexandra Dariescu) and was the first woman to conduct orchestras including New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Who was Nadia Boulanger: what music was close to her heart, why was she such an exceptional teacher, and what was her Parisian life like? Be sure to read along.