67 years ago, a movie ticket cost 70 cents, the president was Dwight D. Eisenhower, and a new form of music called “rock n’ roll” debuted onscreen with movie Blackboard Jungle.

On February 15 of that year, Robert French and Donald Murray opened the Louisville Academy of Music on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. After being incorporated as a nonprofit, several moves, and Ruth French joining the staff and later marrying Robert, LAM found its home on Frankfort Avenue.

Over the years, hundreds of thousands of lessons were taught to thousands of students. To celebrate LAM’s birthday, we want to hear the stories of alumni, past and present, and your memories of the Louisville Academy of Music. You can find it here!

We’re celebrating our past (and thinking back to our 65th birthday party, where this lovely photo of Ruth and one of our instructors comes from!), thankful for all we have in the present, and looking toward the future on our 67th birthday. Happy birthday, LAM!