Anna Diller Starbuck facts for kids

Anna Maria Diller Starbuck (August 29, 1868 – February 12, 1929) was a talented composer, music teacher, organist, and pianist. She made history as one of the first two women ever to attend Harvard University.

Early Life and Education

Anna Maria Diller was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When she was a young child, she got sick with spinal meningitis. This illness unfortunately damaged her eyesight.

Despite this challenge, Anna loved music and learning. She graduated from Hellmuth College in 1887. She then continued her music studies at famous schools like the Leipzig Conservatory and Zurich Musikschule. She also studied at Harvard University. Anna learned from many important music teachers during her education.

Piano Debut and Family Life

Anna showed her amazing piano skills to the public in January 1895. Her first big performance was at Steinert Hall in Boston.

On August 5, 1896, she married Edwin Diller Starbuck. Edwin even changed his middle name to her maiden name, Diller! They built a big family together and had eight children.

Career and Performances

The Starbuck family first lived in Palo Alto, California. In 1904, they moved to Iowa City. There, both Anna and Edwin became teachers at the University of Iowa. Edwin taught about education and philosophy, while Anna shared her musical knowledge.

Anna was a very busy musician. She gave piano concerts all over America. People in places like Boston, Des Moines, and Washington D.C. enjoyed her performances. One newspaper, the Boston Evening Transcript, wrote that Anna was "an artist of rare accomplishment and surprising versatility." This means she was very skilled and could do many different things well.

Musical Compositions

Besides performing, Anna Diller Starbuck also wrote her own music. Her compositions were published by a company called Clayton F. Summy Co.

She wrote music for different instruments, including the organ and piano. She also composed songs. Anna even wrote music for a Greek play, though we don't know which one. She helped create the music for "A Pledge to Iowa" and added a second piano part to a famous piece by Mozart.

See Also

• List of American women composers