This case traces the rise of Leonard Bernstein from a middle-class family in Boston to the conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The case describes how he studied music intensely as a young man and developed mentors to open doors for him. As his fame grew, he wrote widely acclaimed musicals such as West Side Story and introduced classical music to worldwide audiences through his popular television shows. Students will learn how Leonard Bernstein navigated life's choices to leave a lasting impact on the world.