Ruth Greenfield was a renowned music educator who spent her life advocating for music education opportunities for all children, regardless of their background. She was a pioneer in her field and made significant contributions to the enhancement of music education in America.
Ruth Greenfield was born on November 29, 1895, in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Lucy Flower Technical High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University in 1920. She continued her studies at the University of Chicago, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in musicology in 1932.
Greenfield began her teaching career in 1920 as a music instructor at Texas College in Tyler, Texas. She also taught at several other schools before joining the faculty at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee in 1943. At Florida A&M, she founded the Fine Arts Festival, which aimed to promote fine arts education among students and the community.
In 1955, Greenfield established the Fine Arts Conservatory in Miami, which provided music instruction to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. She believed that every child deserved access to music education and worked tirelessly to make it a reality.
Throughout her career, Greenfield received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to music education. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed her to the National Council on the Arts. She also received the Francis E. Havergal Award for her contributions to church music and was named a distinguished citizen by the state of Florida in 1974.
Greenfield passed away on June 1, 1981, but her legacy lives on through the many students she inspired and the impact she made on the world of music education.
Greenfield was inspired by her own love of music and her belief that every child deserved access to music education. She recognized the transformative power of music and dedicated her life to sharing it with others.
The Fine Arts Festival was an event founded by Greenfield at Florida A&M University. It aimed to promote fine arts education among students and the community.
The Fine Arts Conservatory was established by Greenfield in Miami and provided music instruction to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. She believed that every child deserved access to music education and worked tirelessly to make it a reality.
Greenfield received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to music education throughout her career. She was appointed to the National Council on the Arts in 1964, received the Francis E. Havergal Award for her contributions to church music, and was named a distinguished citizen by the state of Florida in 1974.
