Nadia Boulanger

Bio

Nadia Boulanger (1887–1979) was a French composer, conductor, and teacher whose influence on 20th-century music extended far beyond her own compositions. Born in Paris, she studied at the Paris Conservatoire and became the first woman to conduct major orchestras such as the Boston Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. Although her early works include songs, piano pieces, and an opera, Boulanger largely ceased composing after the death of her sister Lili in 1918. She devoted herself to teaching, mentoring generations of composers including Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones at institutions such as the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau. Her rigorous pedagogy, encyclopedic knowledge of repertoire, and advocacy for early music helped shape the careers of countless musicians. Boulanger remained active into her nineties, leaving a legacy defined less by her own catalog than by the breadth of composers she guided.