Leonard Bernstein Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrenceville, Massachusettes on August 25, 1918. He was the first born child of Samuel and Jennie Bernstein, who lived in Boston, but had gone to Lawrenceville to visit some relatives. Bernstein's parents had little knowledge of, or interest in classical music. The only records Leonard remembers hearing on his family phonograph when he was a child were the popular hit songs of the day, such as “ Barney Google” and “Oh by Jingo.” For the most part, Leonard Bernstein was an unhappy child. He said, “ I was a miserable, terrified little child” (Musicians p.64). His family moved