14 Facts About Rosa Rio

Rosa Rio was the stage name of American concert pianist Elizabeth Raub, who provided scores and arrangement for theater, radio, television and film productions later becoming a teacher of music and voice.

Rosa Rio started her career as a theatre performer before becoming a silent film accompanist, after which she became a leading organist on network radio and television for soap operas and dramas.

Rosa Rio began playing piano at the age of four and started taking lessons at the age of eight.

Rosa Rio studied music at Oberlin College and at the Eastman School of Music.

Rosa Rio's instrument of choice was a Wurlitzer pipe organ.

Rosa Rio married her professor at Eastman, organist John Hammond; they had a son, John Farnsworth Hammond III, who preceded her in death.

Rosa Rio later married Bill Yeoman, her husband of 63 years.

Rosa Rio had three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and a pet snail named Iowa.

Rosa Rio was working at the Saenger Theatre in her hometown of New Orleans when Al Jolson's The Jazz Singer was released, signaling the end of the silent film era.

Rosa Rio made a smooth transition into television, playing for shows such as As the World Turns and the Today Show.

Rosa Rio later moved to Connecticut, where she opened a music school with classes in voice, organ and piano.

In 1993, Rosa Rio moved to Hillsborough County in Florida, where she played accompaniment to silent films at the Tampa Theatre.

Rosa Rio was still providing silent film accompaniment up to her death, including a screening of the Buster Keaton film One Week.

Rosa Rio broke her hip in March 2010 and suffered a bout of influenza; however, she continued to perform on her five-foot grand piano.