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Singer Kate Rusby awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Leeds Beckett University
Born in Barnsley and sometimes known as the Barnsley Nightingale, Kate Rusby is one of England’s best-selling folk artists.
Kate grew up in a family of musicians who introduced her to folk music, guitar, piano, fiddle and singing from an early age. Though maintaining a solo career, she has released over 20 albums to date and performed with several other folk and mainstream artists.
In 1999, aged just 26, Kate was named one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century. The same year she was nominated for a Mercury Prize for her album ‘Sleepless’, making her one of the few folk singers to be nominated for the award.
Kate Rusby said: "I am deeply touched and overjoyed to be receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University this year. Thank you to all for considering me for such an honour, I will carry it with great pride."
Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor said: "On behalf of all of our staff, students and Governors here at Leeds Beckett University, I would like to congratulate Kate Rusby on this Honorary Degree."
"We hope her success inspires future generations of musicians here at Leeds School of Arts."
Kate has won four BBC Radio 2 National Folk Awards, in 2014 she was awarded the prestigious British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors’ Gold Badge Award in honour of her unique contribution to music. She was also awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Barnsley in 2016.
More recently, Kate released 30: Happy Returns, a celebration of her 30-year career and reached number one in the UK Official Folk Chart. Her previous album Hand Me Down, an album of covers, reached 12 in UK Official Album Charts in 2020.
Kate lives and works in her own studio in South Yorkshire and has stayed true to her Yorkshire roots. She is a highly respected performer whose style, content and success are based firmly in this county.
The Honorary Doctorate was granted as part of the university’s 2023 Graduation ceremonies at the first direct arena in Leeds.