Ella Scoble Opperman

Ella Scoble Opperman (October 27, 1873 – March 11, 1969) was an American pianist, organist, and Dean Emeritus at the Florida State College for Women, which is now known as Florida State University. She created more music degrees and certificates, brought in more experienced faculty, and created more music majors. Opperman Music Hall at Florida State University was named after her. Marie Goth painted a picture of Opperman in the hall of the university.

Career Opperman taught at the Birmingham, Ohio Seminary for two years, Knickerbocker Hall for one year, and at Wesleyan College for five years. Edward Conradi, the president of the Florida State College for Women, asked Opperman to teach the college's music program and create a bachelor's program in 1911. During Opperman's decades as an instructor, she created more music degrees and certificates, brought in more experienced faculty, and created more music majors. In 1920, she became the college's first dean and was named Dean Emeritus. As a dean, Opperman and the faculty played recitals for their students as well as the public. In 1924, the college received a Skinner organ which Opperman performed on for the public. Opperman's Skinner organ recitals lasted for eight weeks over a summer on every Sunday and during the twilight on weekdays. Opperman was said to be "a musician of great ability, whose genius for administration was largely responsible for the growth of a small, struggling Department of Music to a thoroughly creditable School of Music" by Doak S. Campbell.

Upon her retirement in 1944, Opperman was active for 25 years. While retired, she joined the Audubon society to study birds in their natural habitat. She also kept lists of birds and flowers, recipes, observations, and concerts that she attended. She also wrote the Annals of the School of Music.