JULY 9, 1908 - JULY 9, 1986

A native of Kay Spring, Georgia, contralto R. Louise Burge began her vocal training and performance career while in high school. After graduating from the Knoxville College Academy, she enrolled at Howard University (1929) and studied with Lulu V. Childers. She earned a master’s degree in education from Columbia University before studying voice at Juilliard and in England, France, Italy and Germany. She taught in Pine Bluff, Arkansas before joining the voice faculty of Howard University in 1942; she remained there until her retirement in 1976. Professor Burge taught many vocal students during her appointment at Howard, and in her private voice studio. She performed extensively in recitals and was soloist for the premiere of William Grant Still’s “And They Lynched Him From a Tree” (1940).

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For further information on this artist:

· McGinty, Doris E. The Black Perspective in Music, Vol. 14, no. 3, 323.

· R. Louise Burge Papers. Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. https://huaspace.wrlc.org/public/repositories/2/resources/426. Accessed May 21, 2024

· Howard University Finding Aid, R. Louise Burge. https://huaspace.wrlc.org/public/repositories/2/resources/426 Accessed May 21, 2024

· In honor of Howard Professors emeriti. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/04/28/0c969290-49cd-411a-8f13-aed6c7ef48a4/. Accessed May 21, 2024.