His father, Emil von Grofé, was a baritone who sang mainly light opera; his mother, Elsa Johanna Bierlich von Grofé, a professional cellist, was also a versatile music teacher who taught Ferde to play the violin and piano.
His father was a baritone. This baritone sang mainly light opera. Emil von Grofé was his father. His mother was also a versatile music teacher. This versatile music teacher taught Ferde to play the violin and piano. Elsa Johanna Bierlich von Grofé was his mother. Elsa Johanna Bierlich von Grofé was a professional cellist.