María Teresa Gertrudis de Jesús Carreño García de Sena, known as Teresa Carreño, born on December 22, 1853, in Caracas, Venezuela, was a pianist, mezzo-soprano, and composer. She began her musical studies at a very young age under the guidance of her father. By six years old, she had published her first composition, "Gottschalk Waltz". In 1862, her family moved to New York due to political instability in Venezuela. Teresa's breakthrough came with her debut concert at Irving Hall on November 25, 1862. She performed for President Abraham Lincoln at the White House and later debuted as a soloist with major orchestras. Carreño toured extensively across Europe and America, composing approximately 75 works for various ensembles. Notable works include performances of Edward MacDowell's and Edvard Grief's compositions. Carreño passed away on June 12, 1917, in New York City.
