 Born in Ottawa , Ontario , <unk> received musical lessons as a child , in harmony , voice , and piano . The custom of the time dictated that North American musicians travel to Europe for training if they desired a <unk> professional career , and in July 1902 , at the age of seventeen , <unk> set out for Europe , financed by her aunt and uncle , Lady <unk> <unk> and Sir Wilfrid <unk> . 
