Juliette Crosby Adams
American
Female
Born 1858, Died 1951
Juliette Aurelia Graves was born in Niagara Falls, NY. Juliette’s husband, Mr. Crosby Adams, was also a musician and composer as well as an accomplished choral director. The couple lived and taught in several cities before finally settling in Montreat, North Carolina to become the first professors of music at Montreat College. Both she and her husband were still accepting students at the age of 92.
Having small hands herself, Adams seemed to instinctively understand the challenges of young pianists. She composed and edited pedagogical music extensively including piano solos, duets, songs and studies for beginners. She wanted to “make grown-up looking-and-sounding music possible for the very young beginner.” Her major pedagogical contribution was The Graded Studies, a 10 volume series widely used throughout the United States. She was recognized by her contemporaries, including Amy Beach and Edward MacDowell.
Having small hands herself, Adams seemed to instinctively understand the challenges of young pianists. She composed and edited pedagogical music extensively including piano solos, duets, songs and studies for beginners. She wanted to “make grown-up looking-and-sounding music possible for the very young beginner.” Her major pedagogical contribution was The Graded Studies, a 10 volume series widely used throughout the United States. She was recognized by her contemporaries, including Amy Beach and Edward MacDowell.