Llewela Davies

Llewela Tegwedd Davies was born at Talgarth, near Brecon, in South Wales.[2] Her father was Rhys Davies, a justice of the peace.[3][4] At age 10 she won a medal and a cash prize at the National Eisteddfod, and earned a scholarship to attend the North London Collegiate School for Girls.[5]

She attended the Royal Academy of Music on a John Thomas Welsh scholarship awarded in 1887, and as a student there won many awards for composition and musicianship,[6] including the "Worshipful Company of Musicians Medal for the Most Distinguished Student in the Academy."[7][8] As a pianist Llewela Davies was often an accompanist for student vocal recitals during her college years.[9] She later earned a music degree from London University.[10]

Her instructor at the Royal Academy, Walter Macfarren, was the brother of composer George Alexander Macfarren and brother-in-law of composer Emma Maria Macfarren; his other students included notable musicians Agnes Zimmermann, Dora Bright, and Stewart Macpherson.[11]

Llewela Davies' most prominent performances were with Nellie Melba; Davies and her husband toured with the singer, though North America, Australia, and New Zealand.[12][13] She performed twice at the Three Choirs Festival, and as a pianist at the National Eisteddfod. She also performed at the Annual Reid Concert in Edinburgh in 1899.[14] She was welcomed in Welsh villages as a guest performer at special events.[3]

Davies taught at London University after earning her degree there.[10] Compositions by Llewela Davies include Three Sketches (for orchestra), a string quartet, and a sonata for violin and piano.[13]

Miss Davies married fellow Welsh musician Frederic Griffith (or Griffiths) in 1898,[15][16] and lived in London thereafter. She was widowed when Frederic Griffith died in 1917. She died in London in 1952.[14]