Antonin Dvorak

Growing up in Czechoslovakia undoubtedly left a lasting impression on Antonin Dvorak. When Dvorak grew up to become a classical composer, he used elements of his native country's music while intertwining aspects of classical composition. This blending of genres was unlike anything that had yet been heard in the Western musical tradition, awing listeners who were amazed at the ingenious combination of styles. When Dvorak immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century, he nabbed a position as Director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, a very prestigious gig for a non-American born at the time.