SongLink Prizes 2023 Presented At LIPA

The new LIPA Companions 2023

David Stark and Paul McCartney

Ria Hanley and Danelia Monsivais

Peter Bradley, Paul McCartney and Steve Lewis

Liverpool, July 2023: LIPA, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, held its annual Graduation Day on July 28th with around 330 students from 30 countries attending the ceremony at Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall after finishing their degrees. SongLink publisher David Stark presented two SongLink Prizes to Ria Hanley for her song "Bite Back" (Best Song Musically & Lyrically) and to Danelia Monsivais from Mexico for "Miss Reality" (Best Contemporary Song". The ceremony was attended as always by LIPA Patron Sir Paul McCartney who handed out the awards to all the students and gave an inspiring speech at the end of the ceremony.

In addition, nine new LIPA Companions were inducted on the day, including rock legend Robert Plant (sadly absent due to a US tour); pop star Sonia; playwright John Godber; Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; costume designer Jenny Beavan; dancer and actress Anna-Jane Casey; theatre producer Ashley Herman; rights activist Jacqueline Stewart; and lighting designer Tim Routledge. The ceremony was hosted by LIPA Principal and CEO Sean McNamara who commented, "In the realm of the performing arts, creativity knows no bounds. Whether it be through music, dance, theatre, or any other form of expression, the performing arts provide us with a unique platform to communicate, and to serve as a mirror to society, reflecting our collective joys, sorrows, hopes, and struggles."

LIPA was founded by Sir Paul and Mark Featherstone-Witty and opened in 1995 with the aim of providing the best teaching and learning for young people who wish to pursue a lasting career in the arts and entertainment industry. David Stark was inducted as a Companion of LIPA in 2006 and has presented the SongLink Prizes for the past twenty years. Other VIP names in attendance on the day included previous Companions comedian/actor Rowan Atkinson; Slade legend Noddy Holder; 10cc's Kevin Godley; music lawyer Ann Harrison plus music producers Steve Levine and Tony Platt who presented the Future Producer Prize to Aneirin Wee. In addition, the first Buddy Holly Educational Prize for Singer Songwriter of the Year was presented by Peter Bradley with Steve Lewis to Ruby Walvin.