Born Clara Reisenberg, Rockmore was a child prodigy on the violin, and was accepted to the Imperial Conservatory of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia at the age of four. She moved to the United States while still a child, settling in New York City; from 1925 to 1928 she studied with the celebrated Hungarian violinist Leopold Auer. Muscular and joint problems threatened her career as a violinist, but fortunately, she made the acquaintance of Leon Theremin in New York, and worked with him between 1932 and 1934. From that point, the Theremin, which is played without direct physical contact, became her primary instrument. She went on to a distinguished career as an orchestral soloist and recitalist. ~ Chris Kelsey