Anna Priscilla Risher

Anna Priscilla Risher (November 2, 1875 – August 29, 1946) was an American composer, organist, pianist, later a painter as well.

Early life A native of Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, Risher first studied music with William Wallace Gilchrist and Alexander Matthews. She attended the Pennsylvania College for Women, undertaking further studies at the New England Conservatory of Music; at the latter, her instructors included Adolph M. Foerster, Carl Stasny, George Whitfield Chadwick, and Leo Schulz. Returning to Pittsburgh, she worked as an organist at such venues as the East Liberty Presbyterian Church and Bethany Lutheran Church, and taught music as well; among her pupils was Charles Wakefield Cadman. A Mazurka Brilliante for violin and piano was recorded by Laura Kobayashi and Susan Keith Gray and released on Albany as well. Additionally, a short work entitled Boblink was recorded by members of the New York Philharmonic under Henry Hadley as part of an educational series of records published by Ginn & Company.

Risher died in La Crescenta.