Dorothy Maynor facts for kids
Dorothy Maynor (September 3, 1910 – February 19, 1996) was an American soprano, a concert singer, and the founder of the Harlem School of the Arts. She was known for her beautiful voice and her dedication to music education.
Quick facts for kids
Dorothy Maynor
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dorothy Leigh Mainor |
| Born | September 3, 1910 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | February 19, 1996 (aged 85) West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | opera |
| Years active | 1933–1979 |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Dorothy Leigh Mainor was born in 1910 in Norfolk, Virginia. Her father, John J. Mainor, was an African-American Methodist minister. Her mother was Alice (Jefferson) Mainor.
Dorothy studied at Hampton Institute. There, she learned from the music director, R. Nathaniel Dett. After graduating in 1933, she received a special four-year scholarship. This allowed her to attend the Westminster Choir School in Princeton, New Jersey.
A Remarkable Singing Career
Discovering Her Talent
In 1939, Dorothy Maynor performed at the Berkshire Festival in Massachusetts. A very famous conductor, Sergei Koussevitzky, heard her sing. He was so impressed by her voice that he helped her arrange her first big performance.
New York Debut and Recognition
Her debut concert took place at The Town Hall in New York City on December 9, 1939. This performance was a huge success. She even received the Town Hall Endowment Series Award for 1940 because of it. In New York, she continued to train with voice teachers William Clamroth and John Alan Haughton.
Overcoming Challenges and Touring
Despite facing challenges due to racism, which prevented her from performing in opera houses, Dorothy Maynor became very successful. She toured extensively, singing in concert halls across the USA, Europe, and Latin America. She also performed frequently on the radio, reaching many listeners.
Singing for Presidents
Dorothy Maynor made history as the first African American to sing at a presidential inauguration. She performed at President Harry S. Truman's inaugural gala in 1949. She also sang at President Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1953 presidential inauguration. This performance took place at Constitution Hall. This was especially significant because in 1939, another famous singer, Marian Anderson, had been refused permission to sing there. Dorothy Maynor's groundbreaking performances were very important steps forward.
Radio Appearances
In 1949, Dorothy Maynor was featured in an episode of Richard Durham's radio drama Destination Freedom. In the show, actress Charmaine Anderson played her character.
Founding the Harlem School of the Arts
In 1964, Dorothy Maynor started the Harlem School of the Arts. Her goal was to provide music education at a low cost to children in Harlem. Under her leadership, the school grew quickly. It started with just 20 students and expanded to 1,000 students by the time she retired in 1979.
Dorothy Maynor received many honors for her contributions. She earned honorary degrees from several universities, including Westminster Choir College, Oberlin College, and Howard University. In 1975, she became the first African-American person to join the board of directors of the Metropolitan Opera.
Personal Life
In 1942, Dorothy Maynor married Reverend Shelby Rooks. He was the pastor of Harlem's St. James Presbyterian Church. The Harlem School of the Arts was originally located at his church. After retiring from the school, Maynor moved to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania with her husband. She passed away on February 19, 1996, in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
