Leeds College of Music has awarded Fellowships to two inspiring figures from the music industry; composer and producer Andrew Lippa; and opera singer and educator Sally Egan.
The Fellows were selected based on their important contribution to music, and were awarded during LCoM's official Graduation ceremony at Leeds First Direct Arena on 24 July, which was sponsored by Student CRM.
Andrew Lippa is a composer, producer and conductor in the field of musical theatre. His Broadway credits include music and lyrics for Big Fish, the Tony-nominated music and lyrics for The Addams Family and the music for Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway play, The Farnsworth Intervention.
Throughout his career, Andrew has been recognised with multiple Tony and Grammy nominations, a shared Emmy award for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets, and awards from SFGMC Vanguard, The Drama Desk and The Outer Critics Circle.
Andrew Lippa is honoured with a Fellowship for his achievements in the field of musical theatre, ahead of the start of LCoM’s degree in the subject, which begins this September.
Andrew Lippa says;
“Though I was raised in the United States, our suburban Detroit house may well have been in Leeds. My parents always kept (and sometimes, wielded!) their accents and our extended family, many of whom will be joining me for this incredible honour, still live in Leeds. While I am, no doubt, American, the heart of Yorkshire beats in my chest. This is the first honour of this kind I’ve ever received. How fitting - and how special for me - that it comes from the city of my birth, the home of my parents, and the pride of Yorkshire where great music and art are being made every day.”
Leeds-born Sally Egan has sung opera and oratorio all over the world under the baton of many leading conductors including Claudio Abbado, Daniel Harding, William Christie and Pierre Boulez. Sally has specialised in training treble voices for many years and has worked as a vocal coach and singing teacher in some of the UK’s finest choral foundations, including Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
Her educational work includes being Choral Director of the Leeds Cathedral Choir School project at Holy Rosary and St Anne’s Primary School in Chapeltown, and mentoring students at Leeds College of Music on community music placements.
Sally Egan is awarded a Fellowship in recognition of her contribution to music education in Leeds, and for her ethos to keep music education at the heart of the school curriculum in order to enrich lives and improve academic standards.
On receiving her Fellowship, Sally Egan says;
“As a Leeds lass and as a musician who shares your commitment to changing lives through music, I am proud and delighted to be awarded an LCoM Fellowship. Down the road in Chapeltown we are also trying to create what Gerry Godley calls ‘our own little musical utopia’, through the Cathedral Choir Project. In a world whose challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, the joy and fellowship of music can bring hope to us all. Thank you for this honour.”
