Ebersole, Nellie H., 1898-1991

A native of New Hudson, Michigan, Dr. Nellie Huger Ebersole was the Music Director for the Detroit Council of Churches for twenty-five years. She and her husband, Prof. Amos S. Ebersole, were the directors of the Art Center Music School in Detroit. A licensed Methodist minister, Nellie Huger Ebersole held degrees from Eastern Michigan University, the Chicago Training School, and Union Theological Seminary in New York. In 1931, Dr. Ebersole founded the Waldenwood Summer School of Sacred Music in Hartland, Michigan. She joined Metropolitan Methodist Church in the early 1970's after years of service at Trinity Methodist Church in Highland Park. Her students include George Shirley, soloist with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and Hugh Downs, commentator on "20/20", a news program on the ABC television network. Her honors include: Executive Director of the 3,000 voice choir which sang in Briggs Stadium for the 250th anniversary of the city of Detroit; Detroit's "Woman of the Year" for 1954, and the following citations from the Michigan legislature: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 609 (in 1982), and a "Special Tribute", dated January 17, 1992. (from reading room file, BHC)