The Greenwich Country Day School
After graduating from Michigan, I needed a job. And I also wanted to get my American citizenship. So I accepted a teaching position at what I thought was a quaint New England small-town school, the Greenwich Country Day School in Greenwich, CT. I had no idea that this school’s students were from some of the most affluent families in America. I was blown away by the amount of wealth in this little Connecticut town. But I took advantage of my posh surroundings and got the Headmaster of the school to sponsor my citizenship.
I made many friends during three enjoyable years at Greenwich Country Day. I still run into my students every so often, especially on Facebook. It’s always a little disconcerting to hear those words “Hey Mr. Winkler!”
Student Teaching in Ann Arbor, MI – 1981
The Greenwich Country Day School Chorus
Here is a recording of a Christmas concert at Greenwich Country Day in 1983. At the time, there were not many Jews in Greenwich CT. So, naturally, I stuck a Hanukkah song into the program. I don’t think most of the parents knew what to think of it. Bottom-line, the kids seemed to like it. But it was daring for Greenwich in the early eighties.
A Gifted Student
I met Stephen, a 12-year-old boy with an extraordinary gift: a voice so pure and exceptional that, to this day, I have never heard anyone his age possess such brilliance.
To challenge him, I assigned him a solo for our Christmas concert—a Gabriel Fauré piece I personally arranged to spotlight his range, transposing the melody up two octaves midway through. The performance hinged on a single word, “ah,” deceptively simple yet demanding extraordinary control and artistry. Stephen’s rendition was breathtaking, transforming the piece into a moment of transcendent beauty.
Unfortunately, the only recording of that night—a VHS tape captured from the back of the room—was plagued by background noise: coughs, crying babies, and shuffling chairs. I was devastated that such a stunning moment had no worthy archive at the time.
I revisited the recording decades later, armed with newfound audio editing skills and Adobe Audition. While I couldn’t entirely erase the distractions, I was able to amplify Stephen’s voice, letting its magic shine through. To complement the ethereal quality of his performance, I paired the restored audio with computer-generated visuals of ravens in flight, creating an artistic homage to that unforgettable night.
Stephen, now 52, went on to become a pilot for Southwest Airlines—a path I never would have anticipated for someone with such a rare gift. Yet, his performance remains etched in my heart as the most unforgettable moment of my teaching career. I hope that those who listen can hear the same magic I did, and I know that years from now, his grandchildren will be immensely proud of the legacy he unknowingly left behind.
Opening scene from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The last musical I directed at Greenwich Country Day School.
The Greenwich Musical Theater Group
I formed “The Greenwich Theater Group” in the summer of 1985 for kids. In the picture to the right are some of my students and Kathi Moss who was one of the leads in the Broadway musical “Nine” (her character sings “Be Italian”).
Being congratulated by headmaster at last choral concert performed by the Middle School of The Greenwich Country Day School.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” performed by the Upper School of The Greenwich Country Day School.
