Pop icon Lulu is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) will celebrate artistic excellence this summer by awarding honorary doctorates to a trio of cultural icons: pop legend Lulu, acclaimed set and costume designer Bunny Christie, and internationally renowned jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.
The honorary degrees will be conferred during RCS’s graduation ceremonies on July 3, where the three honourees will join around 300 students graduating across disciplines, including music, drama, dance, production, film, and education at Scotland’s national conservatoire.
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Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “Honorary doctorates are awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields and our cultural landscape, and Bunny Christie, Lulu and Wynton Marsalis exemplify this at the highest level.
Bunny Christie OBE is a multi-award-winning designer, celebrated for her groundbreaking set and costume work, particularly at the National Theatre.
(Image: Supplied) Her acclaimed design for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time earned her international recognition, along with two Tony Awards and four Olivier Awards.
She said: “As a production designer born in Scotland, I’m delighted to accept this honorary doctorate in production from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
“It’s an honour to be recognised by an institution that plays such a vital role in shaping the next generation of designers and creatives.”
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Glasgow-born Lulu, whose career has spanned more than six decades, remains a vibrant presence in entertainment, including her chart-topping hits and TV appearances.
Lulu (Image: Supplied) She said: “I’m so honoured to be nominated for an honorary doctorate and thrilled to join the students for their graduation this summer.
“The performing arts are central to our culture, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an incredible institution. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.”
Wynton Marsalis is a globally acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and educator.
As the first jazz artist to compose and perform across the full spectrum of the genre, from its New Orleans roots to bebop and contemporary jazz, Wynton has helped redefine the global perception of jazz.
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He also serves as the managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Centre, where he has championed jazz as an essential and enriching art form.
Wynton Marsalis (Image: Supplied) He believes deeply in music’s power to transform lives and strengthen communities.
He said: “Music elevates the human experience, creating deeper connections between people, cultures, and generations.”
RCS continues to be recognised globally as a leader in performing arts education.
In March, it retained its sixth-place ranking in the QS World University Rankings by Subject—the ninth time it has appeared in the global top ten since the rankings began in 2016.