Pitch Perfect and Persistent! The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach

Discover the untold yet inspiring story of Amy Beach, musician extraordinaire and the first successful woman composer in America.

With perfect pitch and fierce persistence, Amy Beach always knew she had to make music. There was just one BIG problem. Her mother believed it was not proper or suitable for a young lady to draw attention to herself, let alone take on a musical career. But give in or give up? Not Amy Beach. She demanded to play the piano. Demanded to have a real teacher. Demanded to perform. Luckily—for the world!—Amy’s persistence paid off. At just sixteen years old, Amy Beach found herself on the stage of Boston’s Music Hall—and the start of a brilliant career. A female composer who paved the way—perfectly! 

Debut author Caitlin DeLems enjoys playing piano and violin and is a member of an ensemble. Her second picture book biography, on another little-known woman composer, Florence Price, is forthcoming.

Alison Jay has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She is the illustrator of many picture books, including A Lady Has the Floor and The Pig War. Her signature style is created using alkyd paint on thick cartridge paper, with a crackle varnish, giving an aged effect.