1960s

Waterfall grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago. She and her sister, Linda Waterfall (1949 - 2019) shared a childhood filled with the musical interests of their talented, music loving parents.

At New Trier High School Susan appeared in many productions and directed and wrote music for Lagniappe ’63. She attended the University of Michigan for 6 years, studying piano, music history with Glenn Watkins, philosophy, and Asian Studies. She completed a degree in piano at Chicago Musical College, studying with the guest artist Ivan Moravec, Saul Dorfman, and musicologist Roland Jackson, a life mentor.

1970

Promotion for Susan’s graduation recital at Chicago Musical College.

After graduation, responding to an irresistible call “back to the land”, Waterfall moved to Mendocino, California, where she taught piano and played solo and chamber music recitals.

1971

First Mendocino Coast appearance, performing works by Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Bartok, Debussy, and Ravel.

1973

Performing a Beethoven cello sonata with Juliette Ideler White

1974

1975

1976

Poster for Susan’s last performance in Mendocino before traveling to Prague to continue her piano studies with Ivan Moravec.

1977

A desire to return to California overland through Asia brought her to South India where she lived, studied, and performed South Indian classical music for two years with her teacher, T. Muktha, of the legendary Dhanammal family in Madras (Chennai) India. Her experiences in this cultural milieu enhanced her appreciation for the role of music in culture.

1978

Performing South Indian classical music with T. Muktha.

1979

A very traditional photograph, attired in a family wedding sari and jewelry from Mukthammal’s family.

1981

Returning to the United States, Waterfall studied with pianist Karl Ulrich Schnabel from 1981, until his death in 2001. 1981 also marked her first performance in Mendocino after five years, performing the works of Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin.

1983

In 1983 she met her future husband, composer and conductor Allan Pollack, and they founded the Mendocino Music Festival.

1984

1987

First solo concert at the Mendocino Music Festival

1989

Julian Waterfall Pollack joins Susan and husband, Allan Pollack, at the Mendocino Music Festival.

1990

Susan, Allan, and Julian at home in Albion, CA.

1994

Publicity for the Janacek Concertino.

1995

Performing Stravinsky’s Concerto for Two Pianos with Carolyn Steinbuck.

Julian conducts the Mendocino Music Festival orchestra at the Children’s Concert.

1996

Susan and Allan perform Nights In The Gardens Of Spain at the Mendocino Music Festival.

Julian brings flowers to the stage.

1998

Performing Messiaen at the Mendocino Music Festival.

Rehearsing Janacek in her studio in Albion.

2001

Since 2001, Susan Waterfall has created and performed in multi-media, narrated settings for chamber music every year.

2006

Susan’s production Scandalous Music: Satie, Stravinsky, Debussy, and Ravel.

2007

Susan performs Mozart K.488 with Symphony of the Redwoods.

2008

Susan performs with Erin Neff during her program Degenerate Music! Kurt Weill, Schoenberg, and Hanns Eisler in Weimar Berlin.

2009

Susan and performers present They Left A Light, Masterpieces from Nazi Prison Camps.

2010

John Adams took a bow after Susan and Julian’s performance of Hallelujah Junction, part of her program Hallelujah America.

2011

Susan and Julian perform Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” Variations, part of her program Irresistible Grooves.

2012

Music for a Teahouse (2012), with Wu Man, included compositions of Bright Sheng, Tan Dun, and other Chinese composers impacted by the Cultural Revolution.

Bright Sheng’s Four Movements for Piano Trio, with Stephen Harrison and Susan Freier.

2017

After performing works by Schubert at Preston Hall, part of her program Understanding Schubert.

2018

After performing works by Chopin at Preston Hall, part of her program Chopin: Dreams and Memories of a Lost Homeland

2019

After Brahms Opus 10 Ballades