Her earliest attempts at composition, dating from her teenage years, were foxtrots for her ukulele. From 1928 to 1932 she studied composition (with Harry Farjeon), the piano, conducting and timpani at the RAM. Her early works, including an operetta (The Policemanâs Serenade), songs, a string quartet, a violin sonata, a cello concerto and a symphony, were variously performed at the RAM, at the Macnaghten-Lemare Concerts, by the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra and at concerts organized by Hubert Foss of OUP. She also wrote and arranged commercial light music, often using the pseudonyms Max Morelle or Janos. In 1935 she married the music publisher Alan Frank. She lived and worked in London and was at various times involved with the Hampstead Music Club, the Barnet Choral Society, the PRS Memberâs Fund (from 1976 to 1981 she was the first woman to serve on the management committee) and the Composersâ Guild.