Camille Nickerson

Who was Camille Nickerson?

Camille Nickerson was a pianist, composer, arranger, collector, and Howard University professor from 1926–1962. She was influenced by Creole folksongs of Louisiana which she arranged and sung.

Educated at Oberlin College with a B.A. and M.A., she continued her studies at the Juilliard School and Columbia University. A Rosenwald Fellowship was awarded to her which allowed her to pursue graduate studies. She developed interest in folksongs in this period and collected creole songs creating her own arrangements. Included were Michieu banjo and Lizette, to quitte la plaine. During the 1930s and into the 1950s she toured as "The Louisiana Lady" singing creole songs and dressed in creole clothing. Sponsored by the U.S. State Department, she toured France in 1954.