Ella May Dunning Smith (also known as Ella Mae Dunning Smith) (March 12, 1860 – September 28, 1934)[1] was an American author, composer,[2][3] pianist, and activist who was active in the settlement movement and served as the first female president of the Ohio State Music Teachers' Association.
Smith was born in Uhrichsville, Ohio,[4] to Sarah Ann Price and Rufus Libbie Dunning.
Under her guidance, it became the largest women's music club in the world, arranging for symphony orchestras from Cincinnati, Minneapolis, and New York to perform in Columbus, as well as presenting concerts in prisons, old age homes, and schools for the blind.
These programs grew so much that in 1928, 35 volunteer teachers gave 1,353 music lessons and raised money for scholarships.
[10] In March 1922, Smith and her husband traveled to England where they spent three months visiting relatives, then toured Europe for the rest of the year, and she gave talks on American music.