Cora Stell Andersen was born in Linn Grove, Iowa, and was of Norwegian descent.
[4] In 1939, she became the first musician invited to perform on a newly installed piano in the East Room of the White House.
[4] Andersen's repertoire was mostly classical and Romantic, including such composers as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, Liszt, Grieg, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saens, and Ives.
[6] Andersen was known for bringing dignity and flawless execution to her playing,[1][2] but some critics found her style lacking in excitement and her tempi too free.
[1] Andersen's companion for many years was the author Esther Morgan McCullough, daughter of former Vermont governor John G.