Thomasina Talley Greene

Thomasina Talley Greene (1913–2003) was an African-American concert pianist and music educator who opened a music studio in 1942 in Jefferson City, Missouri. She was honored as a 1963 Missouri Woman of Achievement for her outstanding contribution to the arts, including a memorable recital at Lincoln University.[1][2]

Thomasina Talley, c. 1942

Biography

Born on 29 June 1913 in Nashville, Tennessee, Thomasina Talley was the daughter of Thomas Washington Talley (1870–1952) and Ellen Eunice née Roberts.[3] She was the family's second child, following Sonoma Talley (born 1900),[4] who was also a music teacher.[5] Their interest in music was no doubt encouraged by their father, who was not only head of the chemistry department at Fisk University but took a keen interest in American music and conducted the Fisk choir.[3]

Thomasina Talley was taught to play the piano from the age of five. She graduated from Fisk University in 1929 and went on to study piano at . New York's Juilliard School, receiving a diploma in 1932. After teaching for a period at the high school in Columbia, Missouri, she moved first to Texas and then to North Carolina. In 1939, thanks to a Rockefeller fellowship, she was able her to complete her studies at Columbia University in 1942.[1]

While at Columbia, Talley fell in love with the historian Lorenzo Greene (1899–1988). The couple moved to Jefferson City where Thomasina opened a music studio and taught on occasion at Lincoln University. They married on 19 December 1942 and had one child, Lorenzo Thomas (born 1952).[1]

In 1969, Greene was professionally recognized as a teacher of applied music for piano in any state in the union by the Certification Board of the Music Teachers National Association.[6] From 1966 to 1977, she was associated with the television music station KRCG, which aired programming prepared by the Rhapsodic Junior Music Club, which Greene directed.[7][8][9]

Thomasina Talley Green died in Jefferson City on 1 June 2003. She is buried in Hawthorn Memorial Gardens, Jefferson City.[10]

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References
  1. Greene, Lorenzo J. (2018). Selling Black History for Carter G. Woodson: A Diary, 1930-1933. University of Missouri Press. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-0-8262-7402-1.
  2. "Pianist Named 'Woman of Achievement'". The Pittsburgh Courier. 15 February 1964. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  3. Cockrell, Lucinda Poole. "Thomas Washington Talley". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  4. "Thomasina Washington Talley". Family Search. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  5. "Talley, Sonoma". Alpha Kappa Pioneers. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  6. "Dr. Greene: Gains recognition". Jefferson City Post-Tribune. 26 March 1969. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  7. "Music Week Program Given". Jefferson City Post-Tribune. Jefferson City, Missouri. May 5, 1966. p. 5. Retrieved 7 July 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Junior Music Club Slates Appearance". The Daily Capital News. Jefferson City, Missouri. February 4, 1972. p. 7. Retrieved 7 July 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "February Slated as U.S. Music Month". The News and Tribune. Jefferson City, Missouri. February 6, 1977. p. 15. Retrieved 7 July 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Dr Thomasina Talley Greene". Find A Grave. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
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