Ada Bloxham, Australian Vocalist and Tonic Sol-fa Teacher

What is it about?

The Australian mezzo-soprano Ada Beatrice Bloxham (1865–1956) was the inaugural winner (in 1883) of the Clarke Scholarship for a promising musician resident in the Colony of Victoria to study at the Royal College of Music in London. She was the first Australian to enrol at the Royal College of Music and to graduate as an Associate of the College in 1888, and she was the first woman to be awarded a Fellowship of the Tonic Sol-fa College, London, also in 1888. After a period teaching and performing in Japan (1893–1899), she married and lived variously in South Africa, England, and France, returning to Australia in 1927. Due most probably to her marriage and family responsibilities, she appears not to have achieved her full potential as a performer and teacher. Nevertheless, Bloxham is worthy of recognition as having gained success as a musician and educator both in her native Australia and abroad during her early and middle years, and as a pathfinder and role model for other women during the early years of their musical careers.

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Why is it important?

This biographical article describes the early successes in Ada Bloxham's career including her strong association with her teacher and mentor, Emily Patton. Both Bloxham and Patton exemplify the independence, adventurous spirit and courage of many nineteenth century women who travelled from Australia to several overseas countries. Their time in Japan is particularly significant at a time when the status of women in society was generally unrecognised.

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