Women in Music History

Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor, and teacher who became the first woman to conduct a major symphony orchestra when she led the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1938.

Georges Bizet was a French composer who wrote the opera Carmen, which is one of the most popular operas in the world.

Norah Jones won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2003 for her album Come Away with Me.

Pauline Oliveros was an American composer, accordionist, and electronic music pioneer who is known for her work with electronic music and experimental music.

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1983 for her composition Three Movements for Orchestra.

Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who is known for her powerful vocals and signature beehive hairdo.

Aretha Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian composer who wrote the opera La traviata, which is one of the most popular operas in the world.

Norah Jones won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2003.

Wendy Carlos was an American composer, arranger, and electronic music pioneer who is known for her work with microtonal music and electronic music.

Marin Alsop was the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic in 2007.

Aretha Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who is known for her signature song "Respect".

Carole King won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1971 for her song "You've Got a Friend".

Eliane Radigue is a French composer who is known for her work with musique concrète and electronic music.

Peggy Lee won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1969 for her song "Is That All There Is?".