Barbara Cook quotes:

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.

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.

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

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

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

The place that seems most dangerous is exactly where safety lies.

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

The world wants us to be who we truly are, not who we think others want us to be.