Cécile Chaminade was born in Paris and began her musical training at home with her mother. Later, she studied piano with Félix Le Couppey, violin with Martin Pierre Marsick, and composition with Benjamin Godard, although her father's disapproval meant these lessons were not official. She showed early promise by composing music as a child, and at eight years old, singer Georges Bizet praised her talent. She performed her first concert at age eighteen, and after that, her reputation as a composer grew steadily. Most of her pieces were character piano works and salon songs, which were frequently published. During her early career, Chaminade toured France several times and debuted in England in 1892, where her music was very popular. Isidor Philipp, a prominent piano teacher in Paris, supported her work. Throughout the 1890s, she returned often to England and premiered her pieces with well-known singers like Blanche Marchesi and Pol Plançon. However, after 1899, she performed less in England because of some negative reviews from critics. In 1908, Chaminade traveled to the United States, where she was warmly received. Her compositions, such as Scarf Dance and Ballet No. 1, were favorites among American piano music fans. She wrote various works including a Konzertstück for piano and orchestra, ballet music to Callirhoé, and several orchestral pieces. Her songs, like The Silver Ring and Ritournelle, were also popular. She was honored as a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1913, the first female composer to receive this award. In November 1901, Chaminade recorded seven of her compositions for the Gramophone and Typewriter Company in London; these recordings are highly valued by collectors and have been reissued on CD. She also made many piano roll recordings before and after World War I. As she grew older, she composed less and eventually passed away in Monte Carlo on April 13, 1944.