As the co-founder of the prestigious IMG Artists in the United States and director of the operation for more than two decades, Edna Landau knows what it takes to make it in show business.

...the optimistic, calming voice of Ask Edna, an advice column launched yesterday on the website of the trade organization Musical America. The brainchild of the former artist manager Edna Landau, one of the founding directors of IMG Artists and now director of career development at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, Ask Edna isn't trying to solve the industry's problems. It's just trying to help.

Every so often, you meet someone who, in even just a short time, manages to change your life forever; someone possessed of such charisma and vibrancy, you come away from the experience with creativity ablaze, hopes renewed, confidence restored and idealism reborn.

Edna Landau is interviewed by Jennifer Chernick, a founder of iCadenza.com.

Edna Landau has spent plenty of time in darkened auditoriums in her 30 years as a professional artist manager.... Maybe that's what allowed Landau to keep her poise and go on with the show by candlelight at Thursday's Akron Roundtable speech at Tangier. Right after Landau was introduced by Barbara Feld, executive director of the Tuesday Musical Association, the lights went out.

Intensely coveted, hugely devoted grande dame of New York managers. Clients include Itzhak Perlman, Evgeny Kissin, Murray Perahia, Lang Lang. She and Charles Hamlen took on Joshua Bell when he was just 16; two decades later, he's one of the world's greatest violin stars. In return, inspires rare level of trust and commitment from her clients.

Meet the woman whom Itzhak Perlman hugs, whom Yevgeny Kissin asks for advice and Murray Perahia consults about his every artistic move.

"Edna's reputation as a manager is pristine and, for me, that's wonderful. If I know a young artist has a very bright future but they need to be handled with kid gloves, I know that Edna and I think along the same line, and therefore I trust her."

- Itzhak Perlman