Kathleen Palmer Hart Bibb Foster (September 6, 1889 – June 30, 1957) was an American concert singer and voice teacher. She was also the model for the character "Julia Ray" in the popular Betsy-Tacy book series, written by her younger sister.
Early life
Kathleen Palmer Hart was born in Mankato, Minnesota, the daughter of Thomas Walden Hart and Stella M. Palmer Hart. Her father owned a shoe store. Her younger sister Maud Hart Lovelace became a successful author, and their childhood home is now a museum about their family and her work. Maud Hart based the character "Julia Ray" on her sister Kathleen.Book Dedications , Betsy-Tacy Society. Kathleen Hart graduated from the University of Minnesota, and studied voice in Europe.
Career Kathleen Hart Bibb started singing professionally in Minneapolis."Kathleen Hart-Bibb Scores" Musical Courier (February 1, 1917): 56. She first sang in Chicago in 1917, in a recital at the Ziegfeld Theater."Kathleen Hart Bibb Wins Listeners from Start" Musical Courier (June 28, 1917): 36. She gave her first New York concert at the Aeolian Hall in 1918."Impressions made at her First New York Recital, Aeolian Hall, February 25, 1918" advertisement, Musical Monitor (March 1918): 346. She frequently performed with her brother-in-law, pianist and composer Frank Bibb, providing accompaniment."Bibb Joint Recitals" advertisement, Music News (March 4, 1921): 13. For three seasons in the 1920s she toured the United States as a member of the Henshaw Mozart Operatic Company."Kathleen Hart Bibb Will Join Faculty at McPhail School" Star Tribune (September 12, 1926): 62. via Newspapers.com
She sang for the South Dakota State Suffrage Association in 1917."Kathleen Hat-Bibb Sings for Honor Guests" Musical Courier (April 5, 1917): 49. During World War I Kathleen Hart Bibb performed at benefits for the troops,"Local Musician Will Sing at Army Camps" Star Tribune (August 25, 1918): 43. via Newspapers.com and for the American Red Cross."Kathleen Hart Bibb" Music News (January 18, 1918): 9. She also taught voice in MinneapolisF. van K., "Kathleen Hart Bibb" Music News (March 4, 1921): 23. at the MacPhail Center for Music,"Four New Voice Teachers Added to MacPhail Faculty" Star Tribune (September 17, 1916): 53. via Newspapers.com"Kathleen Hart Foster Returns to City and Joins MacPhail Staff" Star Tribune (January 6, 1929): 47. via Newspapers.com and at Monticello Seminary in Illinois during the 1920s.Annual Catalogue, Monticello Seminary, Junior College and Academy (1925-26): 8. Late in life she taught voice at the University of Utah."Music Event to Honor Ex-Teacher" Salt Lake Tribune (October 26, 1958): 144. via Newspapers.com
Personal life Kathleen Hart married twice. She first married lawyer and violinist Eugene Sharp Bibb in 1913; Eugene Bibb spent much of their marriage in the military during World War I, and was awarded three Purple Hearts, a Croix de Guerre, and other honors. Their first son died at birth in 1920; their second son, Eugene, was born in 1922. Her second husband was flutist Frohman Murphy Foster; they married in 1927, in Los Angeles, California.Untitled social item, Star Tribune (April 10, 1927): 41. via Newspapers.com Kathleen Hart Foster died in 1957, aged 67 years, in Salt Lake City, Utah."Utah Deaths" Ogden Standard Examiner (July 1, 1957): 19. via Newspapers.com
References