Nancy McCann Martens

(May 27, 1881-Sept. 11, 1940). The impresario who brought classical music and dance to Indianapolis during the 1930s, Nancy McCann Martens was orphaned early in life. She was reared in a convent school in Ohio and attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music before coming to Indianapolis to join the staff of the College of Music, later known as the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music (jordan college of the arts). She married fellow teacher Christian Frederick Martens in 1906.

Following her husband’s death in 1918, Martens worked for 12 years for the Ona B. Talbot Fine Arts Enterprises. She organized her own company, Martens Concerts, in 1930 after Talbot left the city and brought a steady stream of classical music and dance artists to Indianapolis during the Depression decade. Martens even paid famed pianist Paderewski in cash during the bank holiday in March 1933, saving the artist’s American tour.

Martens took care of aspiring local musical artists by giving them ushering jobs and discounted tickets. A theatrical publication in 1935 called her a top-notch “Lady Barnum.” She died in 1940 following a long struggle with illness.

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