Peggy Abraham

1924 - 2022

Peggy Abraham, a beloved San Antonio music educator, passed away on September 22, 2022, in San Antonio. She was 98.

Peggy Joyce Tisinger was born January 25, 1924, in Houston, the youngest of four daughters of Joseph Roland Tisinger and Anna Elizabeth "Bessie" Meador Tisinger.

She attended Houston public schools and was known to be somewhat of a tomboy, with a fondness for climbing trees and roller skating. Peggy began piano lessons at an early age - first with her mother and her sister Louise, then later as a scholarship student with Mozart Hammond at the Houston Conservatory of Music. Following her graduation from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, she continued her musical studies at the Houston Conservatory and also attended classes at the University of Houston.

After World War II ended, Peggy gained acceptance to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City. At Juilliard she met Robin Abraham, a Manhattan-born cellist. After the couple married in Houston on June 18, 1949, they returned to New York, where they continued their studies and performed and taught music.

After Robin won a position in the San Antonio Symphony in 1954, the couple moved to South Texas, which would be their home for the remainder of their lives. Robin and Peggy performed frequently, sometimes with other musicians but often playing recitals together on cello and piano.


In her 50s, Peggy went back to school as a graduate student in the piano program at Trinity University in San Antonio, where she earned a master's degree under the tutelage of Karl Leifheit .

The Abrahams became widely known as music teachers. They established a large and respected studio on the south side of San Antonio, which after relocating in 1973 would eventually become the Northside School of Music. Many of Peggy's piano students have gone on to notable professional careers as performers and music educators. Peggy and Robin established the Music Foundation of San Antonio, which provided financial assistance to countless students and also has given generous donations to support and sustain a number of San Antonio performing arts organizations. Over the years, Peggy was the organist for several Christian Science churches in San Antonio, both in a regular and substitute capacity. At the time of her passing she was a member of Third Church of Christ, Scientist, San Antonio. She was a longtime member of the Tuesday Musical Club, and for a number of years, along with her piano partner Marie Chapman, participated in that organization's duo-piano programs. For over 50 years, she was an active member of the Music Teachers National Association, Texas Music Teachers Association, and San Antonio Music Teachers Association. She served as president of SAMTA from 1981 to 1983. She was also for many years an active member in the National Guild of Piano Teachers and served for a time as the local Guild chair.



Peggy was known for her kindness, patience, joy, warmth, and humor. She loved to write poems for any occasion. Her family, friends, and students all knew that she loved them.

Peggy's husband, Robin, passed away in July 2022. They had been married for 73 years. Peggy was also preceded in death by her three sisters, Louise Smith, Mazo Durrenberger, and Betty Wolfe. She is survived by her daughter, April Abraham Brahinsky, and her husband, Eric, of San Antonio; by her son, Robin Abraham, Jr., of San Antonio, and his partner, Alissa Podber of Austin; and by numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

The family is thankful for the caregivers who assisted Peggy over the past months and wishes to express special gratitude to Melissa de la Peña, Erica Goodrum, and Brittany Sewell.

Contributions in Peggy's memory may be made to the San Antonio Philharmonic, Musical Bridges Around the World, or the charity of one's choice.



A musical memorial tribute in honor of Peggy and Robin Abraham will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the Tuesday Musical Club, 3755 N. St. Mary's Street, San Antonio, Texas.