Each year the Smithsonian Folklife Festival holds a special evening concert to honor both its co-founder Ralph Rinzler (1934-1994) and a key person with whom he collaborated. The 2011 Ralph Rinzler Memorial Concert pays tribute to his wife, Kate. For many years during Ralph's tenure as director of the Festival, Kate was his confidante and worked closely by his side.

Kathryn Hughes Rinzler (and Ralph always referred to her as Kathryn when he was addressing her affectionately) was born in 1937 in London, England, to an old New England family. She followed her dream to be a modern dancer and choreographer, studying dance in college and ...