Miami’s color-blind pianist dies at 99
RIPRuth Miriam Wolkowsky Greenfield, who died this week in Miami, was a rebel with a cause.
As a student she dated a Jamaican classmate. On returning from studies in Paris with Nadia Boulanger, she opened the Fine Arts Conservatory, possibly the first fully integrated music school in the southern United States.
She taught at Miami-Dade College for 32 years and organised all manner of lively arts events.
Pioneer, trailblazer, incredible woman, RIP
LONG ARTICLE ON HER CAREER AND MUSICIAN AND RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN 7/30/23 MIAMI HERALD
Classical music, along with other disciplines, is filled with a great number of unknown or not highlighted stories of fearless, principled teachers and figures who bucked racial, gender, and other stereotypes to teach and spread knowledge of their art or craft to those many in ‘society’ thought were either undeserving or unteachable. Glad to read her story is being celebrated and lauded.
She was an absolutely amazing woman. Having performed at many of her soirees, I was always impressed with the scope of her musical knowledge as well as her strength and energy. Ruth WILL be missed.