Clench, Norah

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Clench
  • Wiki Biography:
    • Esther Leonora Clench, Lady Streeton (May 6, 1867 – May 17, 1938) was a Canadian violinist.
    • Born in St. Marys, Canada West, the daughter of L. M. Clench, Clench attended Loretto Convent in Hamilton, Ontario. Her father made a violin for her at the age of five, and she quickly became known as a musical child prodigy. She began touring and performing in Canada and the United States at eight years old. When she was fifteen she entered the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, where she was a pupil of Adolph Brodsky, the Russian violinist. Upon graduation, she was awarded with a prize for her musicianship and skill.
    • After graduating in 1889, she made her professional debut at the Academy of Music in Toronto, Canada. This was a momentous performance, as it was also the inaugural performance of the institution’s new theater. She headlined the performance, which also included Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler, an American pianist, and two other Canadians, Contralto Moran Wyman, and tenor Whitney Mockridge. Not long after, she became first violinist and leader of an orchestra in Buffalo, New York.
    • She also toured in Europe and moved to London. In 1893 she was invited to perform for the Queen Victoria in Osborne. She was awarded with a diamond and a ruby brooch by the queen for her performance.
  • Great Granddaughter to United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=1562
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/237610734/esther-leonora-streeton