Zenobia Powell Perry was an influential African American composer, educator, and civil rights advocate whose work blended classical music traditions with African American spirituals and folk idioms. Born in Boley, Oklahoma, Perry grew up in a musical household that valued both cultural pride and education. She studied under notable figures such as R. Nathaniel Dett and William L. Dawson, and earned degrees from Tuskegee Institute, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Colorado.
 

Perry’s music is deeply rooted in Black musical traditions, yet firmly grounded in classical forms. Her compositions—ranging from art songs and choral works to chamber music and opera—often incorporate spirituals, blues motifs, and syncopated rhythms. One of her most celebrated pieces is the opera Tawawa House (1985), inspired by a real-life pre-Civil War Ohio resort where interracial relationships could flourish—an early symbol of both resistance and community. The opera reflects her signature style: lyrical, culturally rich, and committed to historical memory.
 

Beyond composing, Perry had a long and impactful career as a music educator. She taught at several historically Black colleges and universities, including Central State University in Ohio, where she mentored generations of musicians and advocated for music as a tool of cultural empowerment.
 

As one of the few Black women composers working throughout the 20th century, Perry was a quiet but steady force in American music. Her contributions helped preserve cultural memory while advancing Black artistry in spaces that often excluded it.

Zenobia Powell Perry’s legacy lives on through her music, her students, and the growing recognition of her role in shaping an inclusive American classical tradition. Her work stands as a bridge between the past and future—rooted in history, yet timeless in spirit.