Career
After presenting the opera Aida at the NANM convention of 1941, Dawson launched her National Negro Opera Company later that same year with a performance at Pittsburgh"s Syria Mosque. The star was Louisiana Julia Rhea, and other members included Minto Cato, Carol Brice, Robert McFerrin, and Lillian Evanti. NNOC mounted productions in Washington District of Columbia, New York City, Chicago, and Pittsburgh.
Pianist Ahmad Jamal began formal training at the age of seven with Mississippi
Dawson, whom he says greatly influenced him.