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Eileen Joyce

pianist

 

Eileen was 'discovered' by the Australian pianist and composer Percy Grainger when he was visiting Kalgoorlie. The locals, led by the mayor, set up a fund for her to continue her studies in Europe.

Eileen could not read or write until she was 12 years old.

The story of Eileen Joyce's early life is told in the film Wherever She Goes. She is also the pianist playing the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2 in the film Brief Encounter.

Eileen Joyce was the only Australian woman featured in the American Library of Congress Women Who Dare Diary of 2008.