Hazel Gertrude Kinscella

Hazel Gertrude Kinscella was born in 1893 in Nora Springs, Iowa, where she obtained her primary and secondary education.^[3] In 1912 and 1913 she studied piano with Rafael Joseffy in New York City.^[3] Kinscella received degrees in music from the University School of Music in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1916 and 1928.^[3] She obtained a BFA from the University of Nebraska, an AM from Columbia University, and a PhD from the University of Washington in 1941.^[3][5] She worked as an instructor in piano at the University School of Music, Lincoln, Nebraska; professor of music at the University of Nebraska; and lecturer on American music at the University of Washington.^[3]

Kinscella originated what became known as the Kinscella method of piano teaching in public schools, still used today.^[5] She lectured and demonstrated the system extensively in the US and abroad.^[3]

She composed and arranged many works, including the Steps for the Young Pianist series (1919-1926),Velocity Studies for the Young Pianist (1924), In Chinatown (1934), Psalm 150, Our Prayer (1934), Folk Tune Trios (1934), and Liberty’s Island (1946).^[3] She also wrote the Music Appreciation Readers (six books) between 1926 and 1927, as well as more than sixty professional articles.^[3]

Kinscella was a member of the Nebraska Writers Guild, the Writers Guild of America, the Nebraskana Society, Phi Beta Kappa, the Nebraska State Teachers Association, and the Presbyterian Church.^[3]

Kinscella died in Seattle, Washington on 14 June 1960.^[2]

• Kinscella Readers: Essentials of piano technique a volume of practice material for teacher and student (1921)
• Kinscella Music Appreciation Readers (1926)
• Music and romance for youth: a course of study in music appreciation for use in junior high schools, also in platoon and consolidated schools, academies, junior clubs (1930)
• The man in the drum: and other tales (1930)
• Conrad's magic flight (1930)
• Around the world in story (1930)
• Music on the air (1934)
• Music in the small school (1939)
• History Sings: Backgrounds of American Music (1940)
• Flag Over Sitka (1947)
• The child and his music: a handbook for the use of the teacher in the elementary grades, or in the small school (1953)