[2] She was twice a guest at the White House in Washington, D.C.[3] Birdice Blye was born in Sioux City, Iowa,[a] on March 24, 1871.

[8] On her father's side, Blye was related to John Hancock, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and to the Lees of Virginia.

[8] For some time, Blye pursued her studies in New York City with Edmund Neupert, Edward Mollenhauer, and Rafael Joseffy.

[3] In Germany, she studied under Hans von Buelow, in the Royal Hochschule in Berlin, and finally under Anton Rubinstein.

[8] During the nine years of her stay abroad she made concert tours of the principal European cities and besides played again and again at social entertainments for members of the royal families of England and Germany, and such distinguished persons as the Baroness Rothschild, the Empress Eugenie, and Princess Bismarck.

She played from memory concertos, sonatas and other compositions by Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, Schubert, and Chopin.

[4] Later, she entered studies with Anton Rubinstein, who was enthusiastic in praise of her many musical qualities and introduced her to the prominent musicians of Germany as “the great American pianiste.” Blye wrote her reminiscences of the great master for the Musical Courier and afterwards revised to read before the Authors’ Association and prominent clubs.

[3] Possibly no American ever enjoyed the friendship of so many distinguished people at home and abroad, and Blye had so many souvenirs of appreciation, gifts from almost every place she has been, and the unique and interesting collection demonstrated that she knew how to value them.

This was Blye's seventh season in San Antonio, where she has given recitals before leading musical organizations and colleges, and played twice with the Symphony Orchestra, under Arthur Claassen.

In San Francisco Sir Henry Heyman, dean of musicians in California, gave a “coffee” for Blye and presented her with an autographed photograph.