The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-13
MISS WALLEN PLAYS TO
 KINGS AND EMPERORS

Decatur, July 12.-(Special. .)-Miss The resa Wallen, who is yet only a child in her teens, and who was born and reared at Moulton Heights a suburb of the De- caturs, but who for the past three years has been in Berlin, Germany, studying music, has just written an interesting letter to the New Decatur Advertiser of New Decatur. Among other things she says she has played for King Edward and Queen Alexandra of England and the Emperor and Empress of Germany, and that she was presented with handsome presents of diamonds by these crown heads.
 Miss Wallen has often been called in America the wonder child on account of her remarkable musical talent. which was first manifested long before she reached her teens. At the age of 13 years she graduated from the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, and Is said to have been at that time the youngest graduate of music in America. A few months after graduation she won a handsome gold medal at the St. Louis Worlds fair for her remarkable playing. At the tender age of years she had mastered the key board of the piano and at years she was able to play any ordinary music.
 Nearly three years ago Miss Wallen's s Berlin, where she has been studying music under the best masters ever since. Miss Wallens father was a well-known contractor of Decatur. He died in New York several years ago while there on business.
 From Musical Family.
 Miss Wallen comes from a musical fam fly Her father was quite musician and her mother Is also quite a musician as are all the members of her mothers fam fly
 Miss wallen's letter follows, and Is quite interesting:
 T have tried very often during the past six months to let my friends in the south know how am progressing in my studies but 1t seems impossible for me to get letter finished. I have so many studies and there are so many things to see here and I have so many friends whose calls I am obliged to return, that 1t is almost impossible for me to find time to write a letter. Besides, for the past winter l have been taking dancing lessons and at tended some fashionable balls. My danc- ing master Is German, and cannot speak a word of English; indeed we have al- ways resided with German people, and we never hear a word of English in the house. Mamma speaks German very fiu- ently now, for no one can get along here at all unless they speak German.
 T have some good news to tell my friends at home. was awarded schol- arship in voice. Mamma and I are very happy over it. At first mamma was un- decided about accepting it, but our mus ical friends coaxed her to stay here longer and have my voice cultivated, and she finally consented.
 T expect to tour England this sum- mer. I have played here for an English manager, and he was getting the con- tract ready for mamma to sign.
 In Emperors Theatre.
 My professor in voice is one of the Kapellmeisters in the Emperors theatre He speaks all languages. My first songs guage, it is so very sweet. My songs now are from Mendelssohn, with German words, and my exercises in voice are from Macro Bordongni. I am now working on 'staccato' and a fugue on the piano.
 q have two lessons a week in voice, the