Lise Proto

Pianist Lise Proto was born in the tiny village of Baieville - now Baie-du-Febvre, Quebec, Canada. After receiving her Masters Degree at the University of Montreal she became head of the music department of the Arvida-Chicoutimi School System in Quebec for 5 years. In 1963 she applied for and was awarded a two-year Canadian government scholarship to study at the school and location of her choice.

The following year she moved to New York City to study at the Manhattan School of Music. While there she met the double bassist and composer Frank Proto, also a student. In 1966 the couple married and moved to Cincinnati when Frank was asked by conductor Max Rudolf to join the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Lise began teaching as soon as they arrived, at first accepting students at home but within a few months being asked by the U.C. College-Conservatory of Music to join their faculty. She began in the preparatory department working with youngsters, but within a year was taking on more advanced students.

In 1963 Frank had started Liben Music Publishers to get his compositions before a wider group of performers. The two ran the company together for nearly 50 years with Lise dealing with performers and soloists the likes of Roberta Peters, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, Ruggerio Ricci, Doc Severinsen François Rabbath and Cleo Laine, while finding time to accompany various others at the piano in recitals and recordings. One of her favorite performing experiences was playing the world premiere of Frank's Suite for the Piano -  written and dedicated to her with love --at her graduation recital at the Manhattan School of Music in 1966 for a full house. Something unheard of at the time for a student recital!

A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Please check back for updates.