ALLEN, Euphemia

Euphemia Amelia Nightingale Allen was born in 1861 in Glasgow to a musical family. Her father was a highly regarded dance instructor, and her brother, Mozart Allen, went on to become a music publisher.

In 1877, Euphemia composed “The Chop Waltz” at the age of 16. She published two versions to allow for solo playing or a duet, under a pseudonym, Arthur de Lulli. The piece earned the title 'Chopsticks' because she instructed players to hit the keys with a chopping motion.

Euphemia went on to become a piano teacher and a music publisher but never published another piece of her own.