Aaron Copland, recognised as a founding figure in American music, was one of the first to embrace the more accessible genres of jazz and folk music and helped fashion a popular modernism and distinctive national style. As varied as his compositional phases may seem, a distinct and individual voice can be heard in both his celebrated works and his more progressive compositions. Best known for the music he wrote during the Depression and World War II, Copland’s total output included works for the opera and concert stage, as well as film and ballet scores. His impact on American music expanded well beyond that of a composer as he became a teacher, author, editor, critic, conductor, concert organiser, and mentor to numerous aspiring composers. He is often designated as the ‘Dean of American Music’.