Mary Canberg

She studied with Michael Press and Hans Letz at the Juilliard School in New York City and made her professional debut in a recital at Town Hall on 31 January 1947.

Canberg also worked frequently with lauded organist Clarence Dickinson (1873–1969) for music at the Brick Presbyterian Church on Park Avenue during this time.

Working closely with the fledgling Clarkstown Recreation Commission and its founder Commissioner James Vincent Damiani Sr., she founded the Rockland County Youth String Orchestra in 1964, which she conducted for many years.

The Rockland County Youth String Orchestra had its opening performance on Friday, April 24, 1964 at Nanuet JR.-SR. High School Auditorium with an encore at Clarkstown SR. High School on April 26, 1964 sponsored by the Clarkstown Recreation Commission.

She also taught music to many students, a number of which have gone on to have highly successful performing careers, including cellist Ronald Thomas and violinists Joseph Lin and James Buswell.