Ginette DePreist is the author of the new memoir Reach Up: My Beautiful Journey with James DePreist. It focuses on her life with her late husband, symphony conductor James DePreist (1936-2013). Ginette DePreist lives in Portland, Oregon.
Q: What inspired you to write this memoir?
A: I wanted to show how important it was for anyone to stick to their dreams and passion no matter what, which is what Jimmy did.
Q: How would you describe your relationship with your late husband, and what do you see as his legacy today?
A: My relationship with Jimmy was one of a loving and strong partnership.
I am still amazed after his passing away over 10 years ago, how Jimmy is still so alive in people’s memory. Whether it is all the artists he collaborated with or with the public he served and the students he had been teaching all through his career, their memories are strong and they are still happy to talk about him.
Q: The writer Rita Coburn said of the book, “This is as much a story about the fine art of conducting as it is about the blending of two souls that discover what it is to become one.” What do you think of that description?
A: I think what she saw in both of us, as I said, was not only a partnership but also a true love story. Jimmy was as much in love with me as I was with him which lasted until the day he died. It is completely accurate.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: A beautiful love story about a man who was also loved by so many.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Just digesting the three-plus years I spent writing this book. It was very emotional for me to put the book together and now it’s time to go out into the world to talk about the book and Jimmy but also making time to focus on my other love, which is painting and drawing.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m available to talk to people about the book – book clubs, bookstores, libraries, special groups of people interested in the world of classical music – I’m excited to be spreading the word.
And I encourage people to look at my website, www.jamesdepreistmemoir.com – where upcoming events and interview links will be listed.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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