Lulu Kunkel-Burg

Lulu Kunkel Burg (December 3, 1876 – September 11, 1953) was for six years the first violinist of the St. Louis Symphony Society, as well as the only woman who ever played in this capacity for that organization up until her time. Following this engagement she was their soloist on different occasions.

Biography Lulu Kunkel Burg was born in Cincinnati on December 3, 1876, to William Kunkel and Lena Frederick. Her grandparents had moved to St. Louis when she was about seven. Her uncle, Oscar Frederick, who was a violinist noticed her talent for music helped her to develop her talents. She came to live with her grandparents a year later and they bought her a violin, so she could make herself independent. She became a student of Otto Knaeble who led the Grand Opera House orchestra, from the time she was eight until she was seventeen.

She died on September 11, 1953, and is buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis.