Florence Ewart

Background

Florence Donaldson was born in Kentish Town, London, the daughter of accountant Frederick William Donaldson and his wife Elizabeth Lewis.

Education

Ewart studied violin with John Carrodus and made her début as a violinist at age 14 at the Albert Hall, London.

Career

After completing her studies, she worked in Birmingham as a conductor, violinist and music lecturer. The couple settled in Birmingham and had two sons born in 1900 and 1902. In 1906 the Ewart family moved to Melbourne, Australia, and a rheumatic condition ended Florence"s career as a violinist.

Ewart traveled abroad, and in 1920-1921 visited Italy and Paris and became influenced by Debussy"s music

Her husband petitioned for a divorce, granted in December 1929. Ewart expanded her work as a composer, producing six opera and a number of songs and instrumental works.

Her music was performed for the Musical Society of Victoria and at the Melbourne University Conservatorium. Ewart died at her home in South Yarra.

Achievements

• She won one of the first twelve Birmingham scholarships to the South Kensington National Training School, later the Royal College of Music, and continued her studies in Leipzig and Berlin with Joseph Joachim. In 1907 she served as co-conductor for the first Australian Women"s Work Exhibition, and won first prize for her composition "God Guide Australia".