Toyah and Nile Rodgers, pictured at today’s Liverpool Instutute For Performing Arts ceremony, with Paul McCartney. Toyah and Nile received Companionships at the institutes annual graduation ceremony from The Beatles’ legend.
Others honoured as Companions were Broadway and West End sound designer John Leonard, former CEO of Sony Music UK and Ireland Paul Burger, Ali Campbell – who’s a leading community arts practitioner and teacher, international lighting designer Felice Ross and dancer and choreographer Dean Lee. (Photo © Peter Byrne/PA)
Nile Rodgers among new LIPA Companions
Award winning musical pioneer Nile Rodgers is to be made a Companion of The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) on Friday, 27 July 2018.
The award-winning composer, producer and guitarist will be one of seven luminaries of the arts and entertainment world to receive the accolade from LIPA’s co-founder Sir Paul McCartney at the Institute’s annual graduation ceremony. Nile, who co-founded the ground-breaking disco band Chic in 1976, is one of the industry’s most sought-after producers and collaborators and was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Toyah Willcox – who’s maintained a successful career as both a musician and an actor for over 40 years – will also be made a Companion. LIPA awards Companionships for two reasons: outstanding achievement and practical contribution to students’ learning.
Nile Rodgers and Toyah Willcox will be joined by Broadway and West End sound designer John Leonard, former CEO of Sony Music UK and Ireland Paul Burger, Ali Campbell – who’s a leading community arts practitioner and teacher, international lighting designer Felice Ross and dancer and choreographer Dean Lee.
• Continue reading at The Guide Liverpool. See further press reports on this at the Liverpool Echo and msn.com.
Toyah will be in attendance at The Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts, aka LIPA, this week, to receive an honour from possibly the most famous Liverpudlian on the planet… Paul McCartney
Toyah says in her latest blog: At the end of the month Paul McCartney is awarding me a Fellowship to LIPA in Liverpool. I need to write a short two minute speech to inspire the students….the challenge is how to condense such a message into two minutes!