Sister Mary Elaine Gentemann

Gentemann was born on October 4, 1909 in Fredericksburg, Texas. Aged 19 she entered the religious order of the Sisters of Divine Providence becoming known as Sister Elaine. She received a Bachelor of Music from Our Lady of the Lake College in 1929 and a Master of Music from the American Conservatory of Music during the same time. Later, she studied composition under Otto Luening, going on to study at the Juilliard School and the Teachers College, Columbia University. From 1929 to her retirement in 1999, she taught music courses at Our Lady of the Lake College. She died on December 7, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas.[1][2]

In 1963 and 1968, Gentemann received the title of Composer of the Year by the Texas Music Teachers Association. In 1966 and 1968, she won two awards from the National Catholic Music Educators Association. The National Guild of Piano Teachers named her as a Composer of Distinction in 1967.[1] Gentemann has entries in Who's Who in Music, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in the Southwest, Who's Who in Texas, and Who's Who in the International Dictionary of Biography.[3]