CARTER, Paulena Elizabeth

Paulena Elizabeth Carter is an American pianist and composer, born in San Francisco on 6 May 1930. A child prodigy, she began performing publicly at the age of seven. She won the KFI–Los Angeles Philharmonic Young Artists Competition at thirteen and appeared as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at fifteen. Carter also performed with several Californian orchestras and on national radio programmes.

Her compositions include orchestral and chamber music, choral works, songs and piano pieces. Among her documented works are Cinderella Suite, Rondo for piano and orchestra, The Mountain for women’s choir, On the Night, Hosanna to the Son of David, Summer Night and White Swan on the Lake. Her recorded piano repertoire, including works by Chopin, Liszt and Debussy, was released on the album 97 Keys.