Who is Madame Dawson?
Courtesy of The Library of Congress
Born in Madison, North Carolina but raised in Homestead, PA Madame Mary Cardwell Dawson was an accomplished and versatile Black American musician, Opera producer, teacher, artist, and conductor. She began studying piano at an early age and graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and did postgraduate work at Chicago Musical College; Metropolitan Opera Studios New York with Vincent Sorey; and Special dramatics and Acting with Clayton Gilbert in Boston, Massachusetts.
A prolific artist administrator, Madame Dawson founded and maintained Cardwell School of Music in Pittsburgh(1925-1942); organized and presided over the Pittsburgh Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians Inc.(now named after her); and founded/directed the prize-winning Cardwell Dawson Choir of Pittsburgh which was invited to the New York and Chicago’s World’s Fairs 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940.
Today, she is best known for founding and organizing the National Negro Opera Company (1941- 1960s) which was one of the longest running Black lead opera companies in America. The company performed nationwide and had the distinct honor of being the first outside opera company to ever perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. Throughout the company’s lifetime, Madame Dawson engaged over 2,000 artists ( singers, dancers, customers, stage technicians, etc.) and had a score of pupils who carried on her work of creating quality art experiences for the youth.
Author's Note
This article is a revised biography of Madame Dawson based on the final artistic bio Madame Dawson wrote for herself. For more information, see Sources.