Pitch Perfect and Persistent! : The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach

With perfect pitch and fierce persistence, Amy Beach always knew she had to make music. There was just one big problem. Her mother believed it was not proper or suitable for a young lady to draw attention to herself, let alone have a musical career. But give in or give up? Not Amy Beach. She demanded to play the piano. She demanded to have a real teacher. She demanded to perform. Luckily—for the world!—Amy’s persistence paid off. At just 16 years of age, Amy Beach found herself on the stage of Boston’s Music Hall—and the start of a brilliant career. A female composer who paved the way—perfectly!