Kate Sara Chittenden (17 April 1856 – 16 Sept 1949) was an American professor of music, music school founder, and piano teacher.
Chittenden was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She is known for originating a form of piano instruction known as synthetic piano method, serving as the founding dean of the American Institute of Applied Music in New York City, and heading the piano department at Vassar College for 31 years, where, upon retirement, she was awarded professor emeritus status. Newspapers also name her as the first woman lecturer employed by the Board of Education for New York City Schools, serving from 1892 to 1919.
Chittenden was the organist and choir director at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City for twenty-seven years, and died in New York City. One of her notable pupils was the Canadian organist and conductor Paul Ambrose.
17 Apr 1861 — began piano lessons with an aunt1865-1870 — studied piano with Jules Fossier1870-1876 — studied piano with Lucy H. Clinton, pupil of Clara Schumann at Hellmuth Ladies' College, London, Ontario1873 — awarded Lord Dufferin Bronze Medal for Art5th Jan 1874 — began teaching piano, Hellmuth Ladies' CollegeSep 1876 — arrived in New York, became a protégé of Miss Lucy Nelson1878 — met Antonia Henne, contralto, “The most dominating musical influence of my life”1879-1906 — organist and choir director, Calvary Baptist Church in New York City1882-1883 — organist and accompanist at Music Conventions (Summer Normal Schools held at Meadville, Pennsylvaniastudied with Albert Ross Parsons1883 — became a life member of the Music Teachers National Association1887-1888 — began preparation of Synthetic Piano Method1890-1914 — head of piano department, Catherine Aiken School, Stamford, Connecticut1892 — joined the faculty of the Metropolitan College of Music1892-1919 — lecturer, assisted by C. Judson Bushnell, baritone, on the New York Board of Education free lecture courses for adults ... first lecturer on music, and first woman lecturer, on these courses1889 — founder and director of music department in Hartley House Settlement, later incorporated as Hartley House Music School1899-1930 — head of Music Department at Vassar College1899-1903 — head of Piano Department, Putnam Hall School, Poughkeepsie, New York1900-1932 — Dean and head of Piano Department, of the American Institute of Applied Music, New York, NY, organized as a successor to the Metropolitan College of Music1906 — invited to become a founder of the American Guild of Organists and a charter member of the MacDowell Club1930 — Professor Emeritus, Vassar College1930-1936 — Honorary Director, Hartley House School of Music, lecturer and private teacherAlthough Kate was born in Hamilton, Ontario, her parents were United States citizens. She was the daughter of Curtis Strong Chittenden, a dentist born in Shelburne, Vermont. One of Kate Chittenden's ancestors, William Chittenden (1593–1660), was one of six founders of Guilford, Connecticut, in 1639. Another ancestor, Thomas Chittenden (1730–1797), was the first Governor of Vermont.
