Jeanne Behrend was born in
Philadelphia and graduated from the
Curtis Institute in 1934, where she studied piano with
Josef Hofmann and composition with
Rosario Scalero. She made her debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1922 and at Carnegie Hall in 1937, playing one of her own compositions. After completing her education, Behrend worked as a pianist and composer and taught music at
Curtis Institute of Music,
Juilliard, the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and
Temple University. Becoming aware of the lack of opportunity for American composers, she became a champion of American music and concentrated on her career as a performer. Behrend edited a selection of
Louis Moreau Gottschalk piano scores and his autobiography,
Notes of a Pianist. She also edited a collection of
Stephen Foster songs and one of American
fuguing tunes. She married twice. Her first husband, pianist Alexander Kelberine died in 1940, and her second husband, Americana book dealer George S. McManus died in 1967. ==Works==