Renée Fleming Receives Honorary Doctorate From Eastman

Ms. Fleming accepting her degree in Rochester
(Photo: Maria de Jesus)

"The concert was a benefit for a newly created scholarship fund for Eastman [School of Music] vocal students in Fleming's name. Fleming was also presented an honorary doctorate degree from Eastman for being the 'prima donna par excellence,' said Douglas Lowry, dean of the school who also conducted Fleming's alternative choices at the ceremony. In accepting the doctorate, Fleming recalled memories from Rochester and Eastman, from singing in the Eastman Children's Choir, to her mother — an Eastman professor — pointing out Howard Hanson in an elevator, to singing her first Zerlina in Mozart's Don Giovanni on the Eastman Theatre stage as a student. She credits Eastman with teaching her intellectual curiosity that's shaped her performances and led to an internationally renowned career." [Source]