Evening star., 1928-06-10

TT is not unusual for singers tc
emerge into that profession anc
make the initial bow before tht
4 footlights after they have proved
proficient at one Oh more profes.
sions, or even the mora humble trades
in which they have earned the money
for bread and butter. or Its equivalent
while studying the ort OF singing
Chaliapin, one Of the most notable
examples. tried many types OF work
and among them was the trade oil
cobbling Much mo"c recently and
in America. young typists. clerks in
high places In the singing group OF
the music world.
Washington has vocal debutante
and doesn't know 1t. 10 much extent
as yet She Is Myrtle Lewton, daugh-
ter of MFR. and Mrs. r. L. Lewton OF
this city. Mr.. Lewtoa Is curator oi
the division Of textiles in the Depart
ment of Agriculture.
Myrtle is the middle che of three
daughters. She is 40 only child
whose parents have magrified her tai
ent She has never been pushed
as the vernacular mas IL. and she Is
not looked upon as an artistic prodigy
Rh4JkiG EtGW dH iA w kDiIlH
10 the public schools and graduating
from Central High School in 1921
later going to college. She is cs-
pccially proud OF the Golden Eaglei
pin, the highest honor given the Girl
Scouts of America, which she won
while serving in a local Scout group
At high school she wor letters in
swimming. basket ball and rifle shoot
ing. as well as a certificate for excel
lenee in dramatic work She followed
the parental interest in agriculture and
was president OF The Takoma Park
Poultry Club and member of the
T. p. Garden Club She and her
older sister constituted p demonstra-
ton team In canning, giving instruc-
ton on All Club methods. They
also demonstrated these methods tc
various groups and clubs OF girls in
Takoma Park.
Finding the Voice.
Then Myrtle went West to college
Still she had no thought of prima-
donnahood. As a matter OF real fact.
Myrtle didn't even know that she had
a voice of possibilities beyond the use
for ordinary speech, until the Summer
after her freshman year at the Mich
iBaiI k3AdbC 1DtlEkE4 lit LEWpDIl iHI1-
lily had always had musical back
Myrtle had followed In the footsteps
Of the older sister in studying the
piano. Then, the first night she was
home on her vacation after freshman
college year friend Of the family
heard her sing. This friend was no
simple music lover. but a thorough
musician. who came CT q remarkably
talented family and was visiting the
Lewtons after a long stay In Europe.
She asserted that Myrtle had a real,
flrst-class quality voice Of rich con-
tralto timbre, which Is certainly rare
enough today.
Mrs. Lewton and Myrtle both we're
pleased at the enthusiasm of this friend,
but bit doubtful withal. SO they went
10 New York TO teacher especially
recommended by this friend. Previous
10 this Myrtle had had no vocal train
ing whatsoever, and the only singing
experience was singing the caricature
role of Katisha I'm high school pro-
ductlon of the Gilbert g. Sullivan opus
which is of perennial favor.
In New York they had an addition
with Adrienne Remenyi Won Ende. IL
was Nine. Won Ende who wrote after
that
This is TO certify that after a re-
cent voice trial of Miss Myrtle Lewton
feel confident I'm recommending her as
the poSsessor of beautiful, natural alto
voice natural alto voice OF this type
Is among the rarest and most precious
Of natural gifts. Unless properly ham
died. there is more danger OF injury
than 10 voice Of any other type. In