time played for concerts and regularly for one church. She also taught music as early as her sixteenth year. She has been organist at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for over ten years, where she plays a very fine and powerful organ of modern make for the largest colored congregation in New York City. The history of the church for which she plays, as well as that of herself, points out very remarkable instances of Afro-American progress.
About eight years ago (1884) she entered a piano contest with Miss Minnie St. Clair and Miss Viola Townes (now Mrs. Pilkington) for a gold watch. All three of these ladies occupied high rank in musical circles and were well prepared for the contest. However, after mature consideration, judgment was rendered in favor of Miss Virginia E. M. Hunt (Scott), to whom was awarded the prize.
In 1885 she attended the renowned Dr. Palmer's Choral Union, where she was the only colored participant in a class of between two and three hundred singers.
She is still rising in eminence as a public performer, and is doing much to elevate her race by teaching others to skillfully manipulate instrumental keys.
Beginning life in humble circumstances, with all the discouragements that beset her pathway, she now stands high in the estimation of the very large church which she still serves and of which she is now a member, reflecting credit upon the race, and at the same time affording a living example of the possibilities, for those upon whose childhood it may seem that fortune has not smiled.
