Once upon a time, there was a girl who dared to resist injustice and refused to be anybody but herself.

Her name was Frida.

When Frida was a child,

music floated through the halls of her home in Amsterdam.

Frida's father was a classical pianist,

and all three of her siblings played instruments too.

When Frida was about 10 years old, she learned to play the cello.

A big string instrument with a warm, mellow sound.

When Frida's fingers moved over its strings, she felt the vibrations sparkle through her body.

There was something magical about music.

With each soaring note, each quiet paused, and each diving run, Frida saw thousands of stories come to life.

Sometimes, when she closed her eyes, she imagined herself on stage as a part of an orchestra, moving her bow to the beat

of the conductor's baton.

And then she saw a different image, herself as the conductor, each movement of her hand

drawing out another melody and changing

the story.

It was the 1910s though, and Frida had never seen a woman conductor before.

But Frida wouldn't let a thing like that ever hold her back.

I'm Leah D'Laria, and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls,

a fairy tale podcast about the rebel women who inspire us.

On this episode, Frida Belinfante,

pioneering musical conductor, freedom fighter, proud lesbian, and lifelong teacher.

...