Fred Meller:
CLASS OF 1954
Hawthorne High SchoolClass of 1954
Hawthorne, CA
Hawthorne Intermediate SchoolClass of 1950
Hawthorne, CA
Eucalyptus Elementary SchoolClass of 1948
Hawthorne, CA
Fred's Story
Bio:
Attended UCLA and graduated in Theatre Arts/English while studying piano privately with noted Hollywood pianist/teacher Sam Saxe. Moved to NYC to pursue acting and numerous credits include understudy to Dudley Moore in Beyond the Fringe on Broadway and Ryan's Hope on television. Continued piano studies with John Mehegan at The Julliard School and Hall Overton at the Manhattan School of Music. Worked as a singer/pianist for 30 years in NYC supper clubs. Founded Phred Piano Expression in 1985, which has grown to be the largest piano instruction group in Bergen County. Creator of "Fun 'N' Easy" Piano Course and author of piano instruction text Sound Logic. Founder/Artistic Director of the NYC International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs. Founder/Chairman of Piano Expression Ltd.Recital Series in NYC.
Got married, moved to New Jersey, had kids, got divorece, got married a second time. Changed last name to Meller for professional reasons. There was already a Fred Miller in Actor's Equity and not allowed to dupli...Expand for more
cate.Changed Fred to Phred as a joke and it worked as a "grabber." The same reason Abraham Lincoln said "four score and seven years ago" instead of 87 years ago. In past 10 years have reunited with special friends: Joe Contestabile, Phil Murphy, Frank McCann, Coach Chauncey, Coach Capaluto, Pat Covell, Enid Gardner. I have some wonderful memories from Hawthorne High School and don't forget I wrote this poem for the Varsity Follies, 1954: "From the green grass 'round the campus to the loyal senior square, stands the finest place of learning anywhere. Building colorful tradition molds a spirit raised on high, and this at Hawthorne no one can deny. Yes a spirit and tradition with color kept alive by a student body working to survive. And among this multitude stands a clan whose shall bring back memories and of these we proudly sing. (Sung to the melody of the "Wiffenpoof Song."
And finally: Thanks to Ed Kerpa for saving me from drowning in the Leuzinger swimming pool as a freshman. I never had the strength to say, "Thank You."
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Photos