Roses of the Prairie

The Artistry of Belle Mehus, Alma Mehus Studness, and Anne-Marit Studness Bergstrom

By: LaWayne Leno

Narrated by: Nick Gallagher

Early pioneer life challenged even the strongest. Through persistence and perseverance, three North Dakota women took the grit they gained from their pioneer childhood into the world.

Pianists Belle and Alma Mehus pursued piano studies in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Berlin, under the tutelage of legendary pianists Josef Lhevinne, Moriz Rosenthal, and Adele aus der Ohe. Concert and Chautauqua tours took them across America and across the ocean.

Anne-Marit Bergstrom absorbed lessons of music and life from her mother Alma and aunt Belle and continued their journey. As a coloratura soprano she studied with famed Russian mezzo-soprano Jennie Tourel, and as a painter with renowned artists Stokely Webster and Oskar Kokoschka.

Life's beautifully complicated road led all three women back to the Dakota prairie, where, surrounded by the love and warmth of family and friends, they dedicated their lives to teaching, performing, and community involvement. Their story provides timeless inspiration.

©2019 LaWayne Leno and Anne-Marit Bergstrom (P)2020 LaWayne Leno and Anne-Marit Bergstrom

Fellow Recipient of Scholarship of Alma Mehus Studness

I was blessed by Mrs. Studness’ teaching and gracious manner from 1957-1962 while growing up in nearby Starkweather, My sister also took voice lessons from Anne Merit. I liked the myriad of stories in this book and could relive many pleasant memories of learning piano from a master which led to my career as a music teacher for decades. I still love music. Thank you for the thoughtful research and writing. Austia Besse Hickey—currently living in Malaysia with my husband, Joseph