Blanche Henrietta Burton-Lyles

Blanche Henrietta Burton-Lyles (March 2, 1933 – November 20, 2018) was an American pianist, music educator, and historian. She was the protégé of the opera singer Marian Anderson, and went on to establish the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society.

Early life and education Burton-Lyles was born on March 2, 1933, in Philadelphia to Anthony Burton and Anna Blanche Taylor Burton. she was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music in 1944, at the age of eleven, where she studied with Isabelle Vengerova.

Career After completing her studies at the Curtis Institute, Burton-Lyles began a career in music with a performance with the New Haven Symphony at Yale University. where she served as president and chief executive officer. She acquired Anderson's residence in 1998 and birthplace in 2000.

Awards Burton-Lyles received many awards throughout her career, including the Shirley Chisholm Philadelphia Political Congress of Black Women Award for Achievement in Music in 1994 and the National Black Music Caucus Award for Outstanding Women in Music in 1995. They had one son, Thedric.