He received two Guggenheim Fellowships and survived on some part-time teaching. On his return to New York City he rented a studio apartment on the Upper West Side. He had initial doubts about working with Boulanger: 'No one to my knowledge had ever before thought of studying with a woman.' He soon realised that she was an outstanding teacher and stayed with her until 1924. In 1920 Copland moved to Paris where he studied under Nadia Boulanger at the American Academy at Fontainebleau. Despite his father's objections, Copland became close friends with active members of the Socialist Party of America. This brought him into conflict with his father, who was a loyal supporter of the Democratic Party. Copland took lessons in harmony, theory, and composition from Rubin Goldmark.Ĭopland was very interested in politics and welcomed the Russian Revolution. His father, Harris Morris Copland, had no musical interest at all but his mother, Sarah Mittenthal Copland, sang and played the piano, and arranged for Aaron to have music lessons.Īfter attending a concert by composer-pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski in 1915, he decided to become a composer. During his childhood, Copland and his family lived above his parents' Brooklyn shop, H.M. Aaron Copland was born in New York City on 14th November, 1900.

Composer copland