Bella Shumiatcher

Bella Shumiatcher (February 9, 1911 – 1990) was a Russian–Canadian–American pianist and music educator. She was the founder and director of the Shumiatcher School of Music in Larchmont, New York, and a faculty member of the Juilliard School, her alma mater.

Bella Shumiatcher
BornFebruary 9, 1911
Gomel, Russia
Died1990 (aged 78–79)
Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
EducationInstitute of Musical Art, 1932–1935
Juilliard Graduate School
Teachers College, Columbia University
Spouse(s)Hy Abbey
Children2 Musical career
GenresClassical, folk
Occupation(s)Pianist, music educator
InstrumentsPiano
Parent(s)Judah and Chassia Shumiatcher

Early life and education

Bella Shumiatcher was born on February 9, 1911, in Gomel, Russia, the youngest of 11 children of Judah and Chasia Shumiatcher. Her father and brother homesteaded briefly in Rumsey, Alberta, before the rest of the family joined them in Calgary in August 1911.[1][2] At age 10 Bella performed in a piano recital organized by the studio of John M. Williams and Shaylor Turner; her niece,[2] six-year-old Minuetta Shumiatcher, also performed.[3] Bella and Minuetta both went on to attend the Juilliard School,[4][5] while two of Bella's sisters, Fanny (Ziskin) and Sarah (Weiner), also pursued musical careers in New York.[1]

In 1932 Bella enrolled in a four-year course at the Institute of Musical Art, the predecessor to the Juilliard School, in New York City. She completed the program in two and a half years, graduating in 1935.[4] She studied under Egon Petri, Ernest Hutcheson, Nadia Reisenberg, and Alfred Mirovitch at the Juilliard Graduate School.[6][7] She studied music education under Rosalyn Tureck and earned her teaching certificate at Columbia University Teachers College.[6]

Musical career

Shumiatcher performed both in concert and on radio. She was the featured pianist at a December 11, 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall, performing a variety of musical styles.[8] On January 25, 1959, she performed on a WNYC radio program titled Keyboard Masters, and on April 22 of that year she appeared on WPIX-TV demonstrating "The Teaching of Theme and Variation Form".[9]

Music educator

Shumiatcher founded and directed the Shumiatcher School of Music, a community music school in Larchmont, New York. The curriculum included instrumental and vocal music, and theatre.[10] The school trained children ages 3 to 8 using the Suzuki method.[11] The school presented free annual recitals featuring students and faculty. A January 1973 music festival at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts included a morning violin concert for children, performed by students of the school, and an afternoon piano recital for adults, presented by a faculty member.[11][12] Shumiatcher was the soloist in a March 8, 1974 concert at the same venue,[13] and performed in a June 7, 1976 concert.[14] She also performed in a 1977 chamber music concert[15] and a 1984 benefit recital,[16] among others.

Shumiatcher was a faculty member of the Juilliard School for 35 years. She was also on the faculty of New York University and taught at the State University of New York at Purchase.

Personal life

Shumiatcher married three times. She had a son and daughter with her second husband, Hy Abbey.

References
  1. Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta 1996, p. 266.
  2. Joffe & Fischbein 2007, p. 16.
  3. Craig, David Scheetz (1921). "Music and Musicians: Devoted Principally to the Interests of the Northwest".
  4. Joffe & Fischbein 2007, p. 47.
  5. Hammer, Catherine. "Minuetta Kessler Collection, 1920-2002". Boston Public Library. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. "Alumni News". The Juilliard Review. 7: 26. 1959.
  7. "Nadia Reisenberg: Students". Nadia Reisenberg & Clara Rockmore Foundation. 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  8. "Vladek Memorial Meeting". Carnegie Hall. 2017. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  9. "Faculty Activities". The Juilliard Review. VI (2): 13. Spring 1959.
  10. Handel & Spencer 1978, p. 374.
  11. Kreisberg, Louisa (27 January 1973). "Spring festival season is ready to blossom". The Journal News. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Free for All". New York: 26. 22 January 1973.
  13. Harriman, Sarah (4 March 1974). "What's Free in March". New York: 37.
  14. "Arts Directory". Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life: 45. 1976.
  15. "Manhattanville Offers Concert Early Music Concert Is Set". The New York Times. 22 April 1977. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  16. Sherman, Robert (18 March 1984). "Music; NEW 'SHOWCASES' IN THE COUNTY OR ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 October 2017.

Sources
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