Kate Sara Chittenden


Kate Sara Chittenden was an American professor of music, music school founder, and piano teacher.
Chittenden was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She is known for originating a form of piano instruction known as synthetic piano method, serving as the founding dean of the American Institute of Applied Music in New York City, and heading the piano department at Vassar College for 31 years, where, upon retirement, she was awarded professor emeritus status. Newspapers also name her as the first woman lecturer employed by the Board of Education for New York City Schools, serving from 1892 to 1919.
Chittenden was the organist and choir director at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City for twenty-seven years, and died in New York City. One of her notable pupils was the Canadian organist and conductor Paul Ambrose.

Career

Although Kate was born in Hamilton, Ontario, her parents were United States citizens. She was the daughter of Curtis Strong Chittenden, a dentist born in Shelburne, Vermont. One of Kate Chittenden's ancestors, William Chittenden, was one of six founders of Guilford, Connecticut, in 1639. Another ancestor, Thomas Chittenden, was the first Governor of Vermont.