Classical Music’s New Ambassador

If she wanted to, Rachel Barton Pine could be the very definition of a struggling musician. Raised in a tough Chicago neighborhood, she became her family’s primary income-earner at 14, while striving towards her dream of becoming a professional musician. At age 20, her violin strap caught in the closing doors of a subway train, and she was dragged under, where her legs were crushed. Nearly a decade later, Barton Pine isn’t looking for pity: instead, she’s dedicated her life and career to spreading classical music to audiences that don’t ordinarily give a rip. To get people interested, she’ll happily whip out a few heavy metal tunes on her Strad, before launching into Paganini.