Jessye Norman Wins National Medal of Arts

February 2010

Jessye Norman, MM ’68, HD ’84, was at the White House on February 25 to be presented with a National Medal of Arts, along with artist Frank Stella, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, architect Maya Lin, and others.

The citation was presented to Miss Norman “For her contributions to American music as a dramatic soprano, broadening contemporary operatic repertoire and distinguishing herself with the warmth, intensity, and range of her voice.”

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons who “are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.”

Miss Norman was most recently on U-M's campus to deliver the commencement address for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Class of 2009 last May.  For more on the 2010 National Medal of Arts, click here.