Everybody has that one person who changes his or her life forever. From award-winning journalist Joanne Lipman and Chicago Symphony Orchestra violinist Melanie Kupchynsky comes the powerful true story of a teacher whose tough tactics inspired multiple generations of students to reach higher, dream bigger, and achieve more than anyone thought possible.

Mr. K influenced so many while enduring a life of almost unbearable hardship: forced labor as a child during World War II; poverty after emigrating; a difficult marriage; the struggle to provide on a teacher's pay; and the tragic loss of one of his daughters to a murderer.  His subject was music, but the lessons he taught are universal ones about resilience, the power of a can-do attitude, and achieving excellence.  And his legacy is pure joy.