BALLOU, Esther

Esther Williamson Ballou (1915–1973) was an American composer, music educator, organist, and pianist who studied at Bennington College, Mills College, and Juilliard, working with teachers including Otto Luening, Bernard Wagenaar, and Wallingford Riegger.

She taught at Juilliard, Catholic University, and American University, and composed prolifically across orchestral, chamber, piano, organ, and vocal music, including concertos for piano, viola, and guitar, several piano sonatas, and works for dance and ballet stemming from her early collaborations with choreographers like José Limón. In 1963, her Capriccio for Violin and Piano became the first work by an American woman composer to premiere at the White House.

The American University's Library Archives hold the Esther Williamson Ballou Papers, consisting of her audiotapes, biographical materials, correspondence (1935-1980), writings and compositions (1936-1972), photographs, programs, and teaching materials." There are also photocopies of several of her manuscripts at the New York Public Library Archives.