The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-07

Perhaps no church soLoist in this city
has brighter outlook than Miss Doza
Mitchell of the Grove Avenue Baptist
Church Choir, young girl sun IN hef
teens with dress to her ankles and hair In
one long plat down her back iet TINS
Young girl without any so-ca1led profess
sional training has for six months been
Icad;,r soprano at one Of the largest city
churches and possesses voice that IS
clear with an excellent range of notes and
has feeling expression, in fact by many
musical critics. she is called genius
Perhaps her voice lacks cultivation from
a professional standpoint but that will
come in a little while.
Before she could talk well. Miss Mitch
ell could carry a tune. She was really
born with music in her and at the age
of ten she made her first appearance be-
fore the footlights as it We're, OF the mus
ical world, singing that charming ballard
strangers Yet a a silver tea given III
aid of the Park Place Methodist Church
of which her family were members. From
that time she has gradually become known
to music lovers, singing until about fif-
teen years Of age at church entertain
ments.
This young girl has never gone to
school in her life, her two older sisters,
both of whom have had High School
training teaching the baby of the family
It was afte rshe had had some training
in instrumental music that her family
thought of training her voice although
thew knew she could sing. Her first
teacher was Mrs. Michaels, a member OF
Park Place Church, who taught to the
best of her ability for one year, when
she came to the family ana told them that
Miss Doza had learned ali she knew
This was in the fall Of 1889. right at the
time that Mrs. AIcGhee came to this city
Miss McGhee became her instructress.
In the Spring OF 1901, Miss Mitchell re-
ceiTed her first salary for singing in
church choir, having been elected soprano
OF the Park Place Methodist Church,
though before this she had been one of
the choirs singers
Here she remained. giving entire salts
faction until the new Grove Avenue
Church was opened Last Easter Sunday
night she sang her first solo.
In MAY, Miss Mitchell was invited to
sing before the Womans Club by the lee
ture committee on the night that Mr..
George Bryan delivered his lecture.
There were rounds of applause and many
encores. not only because Of her youth
and excellent voice, but because she pos
sesses the unusual charm of being I'M
spoiled by praise. And it will be remem-
hered by her hearers that she sang under
difficulties a fierce storm raging at the
time and if there is one thing more than
another that Miss Mitchell is afraid of,
it is lightning. But she conquered her
fear. and after the first few notes her
voice was as clear as bell.
The gifted young singer had hoped to
go North this autumn. She will continue
her practice and lessons with Mrs.
McGhee and hopes that circumstances VIII
so shape themselves that next winter her
ambition will be satisfied. But that she
will do everything in her power to make
her voice as cultivated as possible is
certain and her many friends are eager
ly watching her future.
During this summer, she has been Wis
iting in North Carolina and last week
sang a solo in the church Of whose choir