Amanda Aldridge (1866 - 1956)

Amanda Ira Aldridge was born in London, the daughter of the black American actor Ira Aldridge and a Swedish singer. She received her musical training at London's Royal Academy of Music, studying voice with Jenny Lind. Her concert career was ended when a severe laryngitis attack permanently injured her voice, but she went on to coach Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Roland Hayes, and many other celebrated singers. Aldridge published under the name of Montague Ring in order to separate her careers as vocal coach and composer. Her compositions include art songs, and light orchestra and band pieces, and a number of solo piano suites that evoke the color and atmosphere of Africa.