Florence Austin

Who is Florence Austin?

Florence Austin was an American violinist. She was born in Galesburg, Michigan on March 11, 1884.

She began studying the violin in Minneapolis at age seven, and went to New York at age 14. There, she studied for several years under Henry Schradieck and Camille Urso. She concluded her musical studies under Ovide Musin, with whom she went abroad to enter the Royal Conservatory at Liège, under his instruction. The following year she received the first prize in the violin contest with the largest number of competitors in the history of that institute. She received the medal from Ysaye, who was one of the judges. Following her graduation from this school she made her appearance in Europe with great success, and immediately went to the United States where she at once became a successful concert performer, appearing in the more important cities of the country. Her engagements, 1910–11, embrace a tour extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores. She was selected by Ovide Musin to serve at the head of the violin department of the “Musin Virtuoso School” of Newark.