[1] In Boston she studied with Arthur Wilson,[4] Gertrude Franklin Salisbury, and Frederick Bristol.

[4] On November 16, 1926 Atwood made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera (Met) as Liu in the United States premiere of Puccini's Turandot, and was one of the earliest exponents of that role.

In 1927 she portrayed the title role in Puccini's Tosca with the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company.

"[12] In 1938 Atwood founded the Cape Cod Institute of Music which she continued to lead until 1943.

Her first marriage to Reuben Baker ended in divorce in 1927; as did her second to baritone Alessandro Alberini in 1935.