My background in music

    Through no fault of my own, I could not succeed in this field. At an early age, 18, to be exact, I gave my debut at Carnegie Hall. The critic of the New York Times then was Pitts Sanborn. His quotation taken from the Times was, "I had a program that would have taxed the powers of Adelina Patti." I was heralded as 'a find' as far as voice was concerned - the critics all agreed that I was sprung too soon with what I had. I needed more time and I would have gone to the top.
    The first teacher I ever had could not give me anything. In fact, he did not know what to do with my talent. He just let me sing naturally without any proper instructions. That is why the critics said I needed more attention with the talent I had.
    My mother played an important part in my career. She was a domineering force. She kept me shut in from the outside world. All I had to do was think of singing - nothing more. And believe me, all fears crept up on me. I was afraid of my own shadow.
    As I write, I do not hold resentment for my mother. I pity her for not knowing better. She wanted so much from me that she did not let me be free to be myself.
    After so many waters have passed and the torment I went through, I truly love to sing as I love the air I breathe. All now is gone, but I thought - Dear God, I will write to see if I can help others who need help in anything they do.