Janet Collins was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. She was born on March 7, 1917, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to a family of musicians. Her father, Louis Collins, was a violinist, and her mother, Victoria Ford, was a pianist. Janet was the youngest of four children, and her siblings were also musically inclined. Janet's parents recognized her musical talent at an early age and encouraged her to pursue music. She began playing the piano at the age of three and later learned to play the violin and the viola. Janet's parents were her first music teachers, and they instilled in her a love for classical music. Janet's family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child, and she continued her music education there. She attended Los Angeles City College and later transferred to the University of Southern California, where she earned a degree in music. Janet also studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she honed her skills as a violist. In 1941, Janet joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra as a violist, becoming the first African American woman to be a member of a major symphony orchestra. She played with the orchestra for two years before leaving to pursue a solo career. Janet's solo career took off in the 1940s and 1950s. She performed with many orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Janet was known for her virtuosity on the viola and her ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music she played. One of Janet's most significant performances was in 1951 when she performed the world premiere of William Grant Still's Viola Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The concerto was written specifically for Janet, and it showcased her exceptional talent as a violist. The performance was a huge success, and Janet received critical acclaim for her interpretation of the piece. Janet's career was not without its challenges. As an African American woman, she faced discrimination and racism in the classical music world. She was often denied opportunities to perform and was not allowed to stay in certain hotels or eat in certain restaurants because of her race. Despite these obstacles, Janet persevered and continued to make a name for herself in the music world. In 1954, Janet was awarded a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to Europe and study with some of the world's most renowned violists. She spent a year in Europe, studying with Max Rostal in Switzerland and William Primrose in Scotland. Janet's dedication to music and her exceptional talent were recognized with many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1961, she was awarded the National Association of Negro Musicians' Achievement Award. In 1977, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. In 1999, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton. Janet continued to perform and teach throughout her life. She taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music and was a guest lecturer at many universities and music schools. She also served on the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Council on the Arts. Janet Collins passed away on May 28, 2003, at the age of 86. She left behind a legacy of exceptional music and a commitment to breaking down barriers for African American musicians.

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