Let's be real---women rock. Today is International Women's Day, and we're excited to highlight and share just a few (there are so many) of our favorite musical females.

Yoonshin Song

Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 19

Yoonshin Song currently holds the first violin and Concertmaster position with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She was born in South Korea and began studying music at the age of five---piano and violin. She made her performance debut at the age of 11 with the Seoul Philharmonic. As Concertmaster, it's her responsibility to connect the orchestra to the conductor, after whom, she is the most important leader in the ensemble.

Marin Aslop

Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

Marin Aslop is an American Conductor and violinist. Currently, she conducts the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Marin is the first woman to hold the position of music director with a major American orchestra. With both of her parents being professional musicians, and her mentor being Leonard Bernstein, it's no wonder Marin is destined for musical acclaim.

Ella Fitzgerald

Flying Away

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer---her voice was her instrument. She's often called Queen of Jazz. Ella experienced music in church, and through listening to jazz records. Her childhood wasn't easy, and singing became the way she supported herself during her late teens when she didn't have a home. Ella won a couple of singing contests and sang her way onto the stage with Chick Webb, drummer and bandleader. Ella's career soared. She won 13 grammy's, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and more.

Amy Beach

Gaelic Symphony (Composed at age 29)

Amy Beach was another child prodigy. She started composing music at the age of 4---without a piano---she composed music in her mind. Agents sought after Amy at the age of six to preform concert tours, which her parents turned down. She trained with local Boston music teachers, and she taught herself theory, composition, and orchestration. Amy wrote "Gaelic Symphony," the first symphony composed and published by an American woman, at the age of 29. The piece premiered in October of 1896, and was performed by the Boston Symphony. Amy is one of the most distinguished and respected pianists and American composers of her time.

Clara Schumann

Piano Concerto Op. 7 in A minor (Composed at age 16)

Clara Schumann began her mark on the world as early as 9, she was known as a child prodigy. She studied piano, violin, voice, theory, and composition. She toured Europe as a pianist beginning at the age of 11. Clara composed over 60 works. She is considered one of the most acclaimed composers and pianists of the Romantic Era.

Who are some of your favorite female musicians? Drop us a line!