Stevie Wonder awarded Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama at Cardiff concert
One of music’s true greats, Stevie Wonder has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
‘On behalf of Wales, and the Royal Welsh College, its national conservatoire, I’m delighted that Stevie Wonder has accepted this award in honour of his huge contribution to the world of music.
His extraordinary talent and impact have been a source of inspiration to many, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Cardiff. His acceptance is a tremendous inspiration to our students and the wider community.’
Dame Shirley Bassey, RWCMD President
The legendary singer-songwriter and musician was awarded the Fellowship by the Royal Welsh College’s Principal, Helena Gaunt, and Director of Music, Tim Rhys-Evans. Stevie accepted the Honorary award on stage during his concert at Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields, part of its new outdoor live music series.
‘Wales is the land of song. And Stevie, your songs have changed the world. It is so wonderful to have you here in our nation’s capital, diolch yn fawr – thank you for coming.
It’s the biggest honour for us to present to you the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Welsh College.’
Tim Rhys-Evans, RWCMD Director of Music
‘This is something that we know is going to inspire all our students and all young people in Wales to keep making music, to keep dreaming, and to change the world to a better place.’
Helena Gaunt, RWCMD Principal
On receiving the award Stevie told the crowd, ‘the truth is, shortly after my birth I became blind. That was a blessing because it allowed me to see the world in a vision of truth and sight, see people in the spirit of them, not how they look, not what colour they are, but their spirits.’
Stevie also met pianist and RWCMD graduate, Rachel Starritt, who like Stevie Wonder is blind, and current jazz student Isla Croll, backstage after the concert.
Along with our other 2025 Honorary Fellows, Stevie joins RWCMD’s prestigious list of Fellows, awarded each year to honour artists who have achieved distinction in the creative and performing arts industries, building inspiring relationships with the College and its work.
Editors notes
https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/news/stevie-wonder-awarded-his-first-uk-honorary-fellowship-by-the-rwcmd-at-cardiff-concert
For interviews with Helena or Tim, or the RWCMD students please contact: Helen.dunning@rwcmd.ac.uk
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama nurtures and challenges the best creative talent from across the globe, empowering excellence, firing imagination and driving innovation.
As Wales’ national conservatoire and largest producing house, we train more than 900 actors, musicians, designers, technicians and arts managers from over 40 countries, training them for a sustainable career in the arts as leaders of the next generation of artists.
Our students are immersed in a live industry environment from the moment they arrive, pushing the boundaries of what the arts can do to make society better, collaborating and creating new work across a range of professional and community settings.
We are a space for everyone, creative ambition and collaboration are central to our excellence.