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composeHERS
MEET THE COMPOSERS
mary watkins anchor
zenobia anchor
dame ethel smyth anchor
Dame Ethel Smyth was a pioneering English composer and a passionate advocate for women's rights whose extraordinary life bridged the worlds of music and activism during a time when both fields were largely dominated by men. Her rich legacy includes groundbreaking compositions that challenged traditional gender roles and an unwavering commitment to the suffrage movement, making her one of the most influential figures in British cultural history.
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Lettie Beckon Alston
Lettie Beckon Alston, born in 1953 in Detroit, was an American composer renowned for her piano compositions and her concert series titled "Lettie Alston and Friends.
rachel eubanks
Zenobia Powell Perry
Zenobia Powell Perry was a remarkable woman who successfully raised her daughter, Janis-Rozena Peri, a talented musician and singer with a strong spiritual and social conscience. While raising her daughter, Perry pursued advanced degrees in music, studying composition and orchestration, all while serving as a college music instructor and administrator.
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Rachel Eubanks
Rachel Eubanks is an innovative American composer, educator, and pianist whose work reflects a profound commitment to expanding the boundaries of contemporary classical music. Through her rich compositions and dedicated teaching, Eubanks has established herself as a vital voice in the modern music scene, celebrated for her creativity, intellectual rigor, and dedication to community engagement.
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Florence Price
Florence Beatrice Price was a groundbreaking African American composer, pianist, and music educator whose extraordinary achievements broke racial and gender barriers in the classical music world. Her pioneering work not only enriched American music with a unique blend of Western classical traditions and African American folk influences but also paved the way for future generations of composers of color.
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Dolores White
Dolores White was a composer and pianist, born on June 17, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois. Influenced by her mother and aunt who were teachers, Dolores developed an early interest in dance and theater. As a child, Dolores took dance and piano lessons, which cultivated a love for classical music. She would often attend performances at The Regal Theater in Chicago to immerse herself in classical music. She attended the Robert Lindblom Technical High School where she joined the orchestra and played the cello, in spite of the segregation at her school.
Jeraldine Herbison
Let’s dive into the life of Jeraldine Elizabeth Saunders Herbison, born on January 9, 1941, in Richmond, Virginia. Since 1970, she’s called Hampton, Virginia home. Jeraldine graduated with flying colors from Virginia State College in Petersburg in 1963, earning a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a major in Violin and double minors in voice and piano.
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