To fund her family she worked in a bar in Atlantic City where she was also required to sing and built up a devoted following.
She moved to Philadelphia aged 17, teaching piano and playing to raise the money for her studies at New York's renowned Juilliard School Of Music. Her childhood piano lessons were funded by her mother's employer and a local fund set up by her music teacher, so impressed were they by her talent. Nina was giving piano recitals after playing at her local church at an early age.
Born: 21 February 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina, USA.ĭied: 21 April 2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (aged 70).
