Ethel Atwood (September 12, 1870 – April 9, 1948) was an American musician and orchestra leader.

[1] Atwood and Caroline B. Nichols organized the Fadette Ladies' Orchestra,[1] with four pieces.

Atwood immediately had the name of her orchestra copyrighted and, renting an office, she put out her "shingle".

Finding that prompting was essential to success in dance work, she went to one of Boston's best prompters and learned the business thoroughly.

She then became the only lady prompter in the U.S. Business increased rapidly in the next few years, growing the regular members of the orchestra to 13 young women.