Students said they felt Vosgerchian was always there for them on a personal level.

"[Vosgerchian] was almost like a surrogate mother," Babcock said. "She really cared about students. That, I think, was the secret of her impact and charisma: she loved music and she loved her students."

According to Babcock, this was very different than her experience with other professors at Harvard.

"She was very unusual for Harvard," Babcock said. "Her dealings with kids were so personal, not at arm length."

Charney said Vosgerchian made her "Harvard experience akin to some old Russian conservatory."

During her years at Harvard, Vosgerchian taught many musicians who went on to great fame. One of these was famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma '76, who credits her for his success.

"What I do today is precisely because of what Luise was able to give me in those years we worked together," Ma said in an interview with the Harvard Gazette.