Isaac Stern was an American violinist and conductor who was widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. He was born in 1920 in Ukraine and moved to San Francisco at the age of seven. He was a child prodigy, performing with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra at the age of 13. He went on to have a successful career as a soloist, chamber musician, and conductor, performing with some of the world's leading orchestras. He was also a passionate advocate for music education and the arts, founding the Isaac Stern Chamber Music Society and the Isaac Stern Institute for Young Artists. He passed away in 2001, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence.