Tessie Mobley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tessie Mobley
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Tessie Mobley in the 1930s
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| Born | December 4, 1906 |
| Died | December 19, 1990 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Lushanya Vinay |
| Occupation | Opera singer |
Tessie Mobley (born December 4, 1906 – died December 19, 1990) was an amazing American opera singer. She was known for her beautiful soprano voice.
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Early Life and Heritage
Tessie Mobley grew up near Ardmore, Oklahoma. Her father was white, and her mother was a member of the Chickasaw Nation. This meant Tessie was one-quarter Chickasaw. She learned about both cultures as she grew up.
Family Connections
Tessie was very close to her grandmother. Her grandmother spoke only Chickasaw and taught Tessie many traditional skills. These included beadwork and how to find edible plants in nature. Tessie also learned how to break horses and shoot a rifle. She even joined the women's rifle team at the University of Oklahoma.
Starting Music
Tessie first learned to play the piano as a child. But in high school, she became very interested in singing opera. She continued to study music at the University of Georgia and at Christian College in Columbia, Missouri.
Becoming a Star
In 1926, Tessie married Louis Brave, an actor from the Osage Nation. They moved to Los Angeles. There, Tessie began taking singing lessons from Emma Loeffler de Zaruba. Emma was a former opera singer and helped with the famous Hollywood Bowl.
Finding Her Voice
In 1929, Tessie auditioned for a special event at the Hollywood Bowl. It was called the Native American Ceremonials. There, she met and was guided by Muscogee Nation singer Tsianina Redfeather Blackstone. She also met Charles Wakefield Cadman, a composer who helped her start her career.
The Songbird of the Chickasaws
Around this time, Tessie chose the name "Lushanya." This name means "songbird." From then on, many people called her the "Songbird of the Chickasaws." She starred for three summers in the First American Pageant in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Studying in Europe
A promoter invited Tessie to perform in Germany. She received scholarships to study opera in Europe. She studied at the Berlin University of the Arts and in Rome, Italy, in the early 1930s.
Major Performances
Tessie Mobley performed in many important places. In 1935, she sang the role of Minnehaha in The Song of Hiawatha in London. This was a famous performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Opera Roles
She continued to sing solo roles in Los Angeles and Chicago. She made history by singing the main role in the opera Aida with the Chicago Opera Company in Trieste, Italy. She was the first person of Native American background to perform this part. Another important role for her was in Cadman's opera Shanewis.
Firsts and Famous Events
Tessie Mobley was also the first person of Native American descent to sing at La Scala. This is one of the most famous opera houses in the world, located in Milan, Italy. She performed at the 1936 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The next year, she sang at the coronation of King George VI of the United Kingdom in London. During World War II, she traveled overseas to entertain American soldiers.
Later Life
Tessie later married Ramón Vinay, who was also an opera singer. She decided to retire from singing to help manage his career. Tessie Mobley passed away in Fort Worth, Texas. She is buried in her hometown of Ardmore.
Honors and Awards
Tessie Mobley received several important honors for her achievements.
Oklahoma Hall of Fame
In 1964, Tessie Mobley was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. She was honored under her married name, Lushanya Vinay.
Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame
In 2009, she was also inducted into the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame. Her niece, Aurelia Guy Phillips, accepted this honor for her.
