- Born
- Died
- Nickname
- The First Lady of the Harp
- Mildred Dilling was born on February 23, 1894 in Marion, Indiana, USA. She died on December 30, 1982 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Self-taught harpist, Harpo Marx, valued her deeply as a mentor who took the time to teach him the proper techniques with the instrument and would consult her regularly when he was having difficulty with a particular piece.
- Dilling's mother, Rachel Freel, grew up on a farm and once heard travelling musicians play the harp and violin. Freel was so taken with the music that she was determined that her future children would learn to play the violin and harp.
- Dilling once told a harpist with an infected finger and an upcoming harp concerto to perform: "Read the one hundred and twenty-first Psalm, and go on".
- Dilling was one of the founders of the American Harp Society in 1962.
- Dilling was the first solo harpist to broadcast in Ireland.
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