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Sylvia Olden Lee

American vocal coach Sylvia Olden Lee died of cancer on 10 April 2004, aged 86. She was one of the foremost voice teachers of our time and among her students were Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle. Olden Lee was the daughter of opera singer Sylvia Alice Ward. In 1938, Olden Lee graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In 1944, she married the violinist and conductor Everett Lee.

Over her life, she held many teaching posts, including at Columbia University. While she spent one year as voice teacher at the New York Met, she made history when she fought for Marian Anderson's right to perform. In 1955, Anderson became the first black female singer to perform on an opera stage.

Posted: 24 May 2004

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