Helen Elise Smith Dett facts for kids
Helen Elise Smith Dett was an amazing American pianist and music teacher who lived from around 1892 to after 1948. She was married to the famous composer Robert Nathaniel Dett. Helen made history as the very first Black student to graduate from the Damrosch Institute of Musical Art, which later became part of the well-known Juilliard School.
Her Early Life
Helen Elise Smith was born in the bustling city of New York. She showed great talent in music from a young age. In 1907, she achieved a major milestone by graduating from the Damrosch Institute of Musical Art. This made her the first Black person to complete their studies at that school.
Her Career in Music
In 1912, Helen Elise Smith helped start a music school in New York City. It was called the Martin-Smith Music School, and she co-directed it with a violinist named David I. Martin. They worked together to teach music to many students.
After she got married in 1916, Helen moved to Hampton Institute in Virginia. There, she continued to share her musical gifts. She taught piano to students and often performed as an accompanist. This meant she played the piano alongside other musicians during concerts and recitals. Later in her career, she also taught piano at Bennett College.
Her Family Life
Helen Elise Smith married the talented composer and educator R. Nathaniel Dett in 1916. They built a family together and had two daughters. Their daughters were named Helen Dett Noyes and Josephine Dett Gregory. Helen became a widow when her husband, R. Nathaniel Dett, passed away in 1943.
