Armenta Adams facts for kids
Armenta Adams (Hummings) Dumisani (born 1936) is an amazing American concert pianist and music educator. Since 1960, she has performed in the United States and in 27 other countries! This was made possible partly by a special award from the U.S. State Department. In 1993, she started the Gateways Music Festival. This festival helps show off the talents of young African-American classical musicians. She used to be a professor at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. In 1994, she became a special mentor there.
Her Early Life and Music
Armenta Adams was born on June 27, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents, Albert and Estella Adams, loved classical music. She grew up in Cleveland with her older brother, Elwyn. Her father even built their house himself, "brick by brick"!
Armenta started piano lessons at age four. She studied at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. Her brother Elwyn (who lived from about 1933 to 1995) learned the violin. He became a very skilled violinist.
Studying at Juilliard
From 1954, Armenta studied piano at the famous Juilliard School in New York. Her teacher was Sascha Gorodnitzki. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees there.
Performing Around the World
Armenta Adams made her first big performance in 1960. This was at New York Town Hall. Later, she played at other famous places like Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. She also performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
She has performed all over Europe. This was thanks to the Martha Baird Rockefeller Aid to Music award. She also played in Africa, South America, India, and Pakistan. These international tours were supported by the U.S. State Department.
Family Life
Armenta Adams has four sons. Her son Amadi Azikiwe (born 1969) is a violist. Gus Jr. is a naval officer. Martin is an educator, and Marcus is a psychologist. Martin and Marcus are identical twins.
