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Althea Waites is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Born on August 23, 1945, in Houston, Texas, Waites grew up in a family that valued education and music. Her mother was a pianist, and her father was a doctor. Waites started playing the piano at the age of four and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Waites received her early education in Houston and later moved to Los Angeles, where she attended the University of Southern California (USC). At USC, she studied under the tutelage of renowned pianist and composer, John Crown. Waites graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1967 and went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the same institution in 1969. Waites' career as a classical music artist began in the early 1970s when she started performing in concerts and recitals. Her performances were well-received, and she quickly gained a reputation as a talented pianist. In 1973, Waites made her debut at the Hollywood Bowl, where she performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was a huge success, and it marked the beginning of Waites' career as a soloist. Over the years, Waites has performed with several orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed in several countries, including Japan, Germany, and France. Waites' repertoire includes works by some of the greatest composers of all time, including Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Bach. Waites has received several awards and honors throughout her career. In 1974, she was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is given to outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise. Waites was the first African American woman to receive the award. In 1980, she was awarded the Los Angeles Times' Woman of the Year in Music award. In 1995, she was awarded the USC School of Music's Outstanding Alumnus award. Waites has also been involved in music education throughout her career. She has taught at several institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). She has also been a guest lecturer at several universities and has conducted master classes for young musicians. In addition to her career as a classical music artist, Waites has also been involved in several community organizations. She has served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Music Center of Los Angeles County. She has also been involved in several charitable organizations, including the United Negro College Fund and the American Cancer Society. Waites' contributions to the world of classical music have been significant. She has inspired countless young musicians and has helped to promote classical music to a wider audience. Her performances have been praised for their technical skill and emotional depth, and she has been recognized as one of the greatest pianists of her generation. In conclusion, Althea Waites is a remarkable classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Her talent, dedication, and hard work have earned her numerous awards and honors, and her performances have inspired countless young musicians.

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