Camille Nickerson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Camille Nickerson
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Nickerson from a 1925 issue of The Crisis
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| Born | March 30, 1888 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Died | April 27, 1982 (aged 94) |
| Other names | "The Louisiana Lady" |
| Occupation | Musician, composer, folklorist, college professor |
Camille Lucie Nickerson (born March 30, 1888 – died April 27, 1982) was a talented American musician. She was a pianist, composer, and a professor at Howard University. Camille loved Creole folk songs from Louisiana. She collected, arranged, and sang these special songs.
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Camille Nickerson's Early Life and School
Camille Nickerson was born in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Her father, William Joseph Nickerson, was a music professor. He also directed a band. Camille joined her father's group, the Nickerson Ladies’ Orchestra, when she was young.
She studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She earned her first degree there in 1916. Later, in 1932, she earned her master's degree. Her master's paper was about "Afro-Creole Music in Louisiana." This showed her deep interest in Creole songs.
Camille continued her studies in 1939 and 1940. She attended Columbia University and the Juilliard School.
Camille Nickerson's Music Career
Camille Nickerson started her career teaching at her father's school. She also played organ and piano in Black churches. In 1926, she became a music professor at Howard University. She taught there until 1962.
As a music expert, she studied folk songs. She collected many Creole songs. She then created her own versions of these songs. Some examples are Michieu banjo and Lizette, to quitte la plaine.
"The Louisiana Lady"
From the 1930s to the 1950s, Camille toured the United States. She was known as "The Louisiana Lady." She sang Creole songs and wore special ruffled gowns. These outfits reminded people of New Orleans history.
In 1936, she performed at the Texas Centennial Exposition. She was a special guest in the Negro Exhibits Building. In 1954, she toured France. The United States Information Agency (USIA) sponsored her trip. She spoke fluent French, which helped her become popular on French radio and stage.
Music Leadership
Camille Nickerson was a leader in music organizations. From 1935 to 1938, she was president of the National Association of Negro Musicians. She had been an officer of this group since 1925. She also belonged to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Some of her song arrangements were published. They were called Five Creole Songs Harmonized and Arranged by Camille Nickerson (1942).
Camille Nickerson's Legacy
Camille Nickerson passed away in Washington, D.C., in 1982. She was 94 years old. Her important papers were given to Howard University. Some of her papers from her New Orleans years are kept at Tulane University's Hogan Jazz Archive.
