John Duke

John Woods Duke (July 30, 1899-October 26, 1984), an American composer and pianist born in Cumberland, Maryland, became arguably best known for his art songs. John Woods Duke was the oldest child in a large musical family. After teaching him to read music at an early age and starting him on piano lessons at age 11, Duke's mother (a talented singer herself) enrolled him in the Cumberland, MD Allegheny Academy. By age 16 he had won a three-year scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.