Edna Bradley Wood

Portsmouth, RI - Edna Bradley Wood, Concert Pianist and Teacher, of 128 Belmont Drive, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Black Point Farms, Portsmouth and Providence, died February 25 in Portsmouth.She was the wife of the late Herbert E. Wood. Born in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Talbot Bradley.Mrs. Wood was a well-known concert pianist and teacher in Providence and was active in musical circles for many years before moving to Portsmouth, where she continued her teaching. She studied in Providence with Madame Avis Bliven Charbonnel, in Boston with Heinrich Gebbard and Nicolas Slonimsky, and with Bruce Simonds, Dean of Music at Yale University. She also studied in New York and in Vienna with Edith Vogel, and in London with the celebrated Dame Myra Hess and the Royal Academy of Music. In addition to performing the major cities of the United States, she also concertized in the capitols of Europe under the New York management of Constance Wardle. She was an instructor of piano at Brown University for many years. She also taught privately and presented her students in many public concerts and as piano soloists in orchestral performances. Her students were the recipients of major music awards and scholarships, and were 1st place winners in musical competitions. They also received gold medals at the All State Auditions held in Providence.In her early career she was a member of the faculty at the Community Music School on Thomas Street in Providence where she taught Piano, Theory, Chorus and Modern Dance, which she had studied with the distinguished Gertrude Kurath at Brown University. She also directed and produced several childrens operattas for charity. She continued to donate her time and work with underprivileged and talented students at the music center in Providence for many years.She was an active member of the Chopin and Chaminade Music Clubs and a president of the Young Artist and Senior Chaminade Club. She was also a certified member of the R.I. and the National Music Teachers Association of America. She was a member of the Clavier Ensemble in Providence. For many years she was a member of the Leschetezky Association in New York where she also performed. She was a former member of the Providence Art Club. In Newport she was a member of the Preservation Society and the Newport Art Museum and Artists Guild. She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert E. Wood. Her funeral will be private.