Remembering Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté

Born in Moscow in 1899, Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté studied piano, violin, and composition at the Paris Conservatory and continued her music education in Berlin. In her youth she toured extensively as a pianist and violinist, often performing her own works. After...

Josephine Lang

Another example of being fortunate enough to be born into a musical family lies with Josephine Lang (1815-1880). Her father, Theodor, was a violinist and her mother, Regina Hitzelberger, was an opera singer. They supported their daughter in her musical ambitions,...

Maria Theresia von Paradis

Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759-1824) was an Austrian composer, famous for her blindness and her friendship with Mozart. She was the daughter of Joseph Anton Paradis, the Imperial Secretary of Commerce and Court Councilor to the Empress Maria Theresa, after whom this...

Julia Perry

Unfortunately, little information is readily available on the life and work of Julia Perry (1924-1979). She was born in Kentucky, raised in Ohio, and studied at the Westminster Choir College, Juilliard, and abroad, including with Nadia Boulanger in France. Among her...
Julia Smith

Julia Smith

Born and raised in Texas, Julia Smith (1905-1989) achieved acclaim as a composer, pianist, and musicologist – but is is perhaps best remembered for composing the music for the University of North Texas alma mater. After graduating from UNT, Smith completed her...