Barbara Cook

Even within the last three or four years, I have a greater ability to communicate, I think. I have more courage to show the stuff... And it does take courage.

I look back at photographs and I remember at the time I thought I was not very attractive.

I sang for my family. And I think probably the first time I sang and got paid for it, I was about 6 or 7.

Young people who are just starting out somehow need to let you know they know how to sing.

I have absolutely no desire and no thought of quitting ever.

If youre able to be yourself then you have no competition. All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence.

New Year's Eve, we're going to be doing a concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra in Symphony Hall. It makes me feel good, because of all the people they could have had, they wanted me! We do have to do a little work with the rhythm section.

On Saturday afternoons, there was a film, of course, and then we did about four shows between the films. And I would do a tap dance, a little military tap.

I remember feeling that. I couldn't do, nor did I want to do, the kinds of roles I'd been doing.