Paul McCartney in Liverpool for annual LIPA graduation ceremony

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
Sir Paul McCartney back in Liverpool for annual LIPA graduation ceremony
BY ROB PATTINSON
28 JULY 2015

Among those receiving LIPA companionship's from Sir Paul were Slade's Noddy Holder, Travis star Fran Healy and Everyman's Gemma Bodinetz


Sir Paul McCartney with newly named fellow companions (left- right back row) Scott Rodger, John Rago, Mark Featherstone-Whitty, Conor Murphy, Hugh Padgham (left- right front Row) Sharon Watson, Noddy Holder Sir Paul McCartney, Gemma Bodinetz, Fran Healy and James Thompson, ahead of the the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts graduation ceremony at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. Picture date: Tuesday July 28, 2015. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Sir Paul McCartney was back in Liverpool today for the annual LIPA graduation ceremony.

The Beatles star was on hand to honour the institute’s new Companions, who this year included Gemma Bodinetz, the artistic director of the Everyman and Playhouse theatres since 2003.

Among others from the arts and entertainment world receiving the accolade from Sir Paul – LIPA’s co-founder – today were Slade star Noddy Holder and Travis frontman Fran Healy.

The other five new Companions were four-time Grammy-winning record producer Hugh Padgham, music manager and founder of Quest Management Scott Rodger, theatre designer Conor Murphy, professor of applied and social theatre James Thompson and contemporary dancer, choreographer and artistic director of Phoenix Dance Theatre Sharon Watson.

LIPA awards Companionships for outstanding achievement and practical contribution to students’ learning.

American law professor John T Rago, who has supported LIPA through pro bono work for the past 20 years, will also become an Honoured Friend of LIPA.


Sir Paul McCartney with newly named fellow companions (left- right back row) Scott Rodger, John Rago, Mark Featherstone-Whitty, Conor Murphy, Hugh Padgham (left- right front Row) Sharon Watson, Noddy Holder Sir Paul McCartney, Gemma Bodinetz, Fran Healy and James Thompson, ahead of the the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts graduation ceremony at the Echo Arena, Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Mark Featherstone-Witty, LIPA’s founding principal and CEO, said: “The government recognises that the creative economy generates £8.8m each hour to our economy and yet, with the second attempt to define essential disciplines for schools, does not rate the disciplines we teach as essential.

“Well, with around 95% of our graduates in work three years after leaving us, is the government trying to destroy, as it did with international students, a great British success story?”

Around 280 students from 16 countries graduated at today’s ceremony, having completed either foundation certificate or degree programmes.






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LIPA - July 28, 2015













instagram.com/thelindaaam/

thelindaaamSo proud of my sister! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Seeing her graduate with 1st class was emotional! 🎓🎉 (and of course seeing Paul McCartney was pretty amazing) #Happy #Graduation #LIPA








instagram.com/skibeke

skibekeFanny og Paul. #graduation #lipa #liverpool #zoomerinnfrabakerstebenk





instagram.com/amandajj68

amandajj68Guess who has arrived....yes, Sir Paul McCartney & Noddy Holden 😎👏👏👏👏 #lipa2015graduation






amandajj68Olivia receiving her graduation certificate with Sir Paul McCartney 👏👏🎉👏👏...#rubbishphoto #lipa2015graduation





instagram.com/jorgenbare

jorgenbarenora og macca.




instagram.com/liseks

liseksCongrats to my brother for graduating Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and getting a handshake with Paul McCartney. ❤️



instagram.com/jess_icamck

jess_icamckStill can't believe I got to see @paulmccartney today!! Congrats on graduating @antennastohugh 🎉