Issue link: http://saihq.uberflip.com/i/1524778
sai-national.org • Summer 2024 7 SAIs In The News A cclaimed soprano Renée Fleming, an SAI Honorary Member, was selected by e John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as one of its 46th Kennedy Center Honorees for lifetime artistic achievements. She was joined by: actor and comedian Billy Crystal; British singer-songwriter producer, and member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb; rapper, singer, and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick. e gala event took place on Sunday, December 3, 2023, and was hosted by previous Honoree Gloria Estefan. Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein, had this to say: "fittingly known as 'America's soprano,' the beloved opera star Renée Fleming has captivated audiences worldwide with her luminous voice, incomparable artistry, and a knack for bringing opera into the mainstream for more than four decades…" Fleming shared her thoughts on the honor: "How thrilling to join the company of legendary artists who have received this recognition. is award demonstrates the richness and range of the performing arts in our country, and the Kennedy Center's celebration is a powerful expression of our culture. Music has defined the arc of my life, giving voice to an introverted child, taking me to places I never dreamed of visiting and people I never dreamed of meeting. Most of all, it has shown me the enormous potential for healing and joy that the arts offer everyone. Having looked with awe at the Honorees in that box at the Kennedy Center Opera House, I'm incredibly grateful to think I will be among them." (Press Release, June 22, 2023, Kennedy Center) An avid arts and health advocate, Fleming recently released a new book, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness. It is a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, creative arts therapists, educators, and healthcare providers about the powerful impacts of music and the arts on health and the human experience. Her live-streamed series, Music and Mind LIVE with Renée Fleming, which began in May of 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, featured Fleming in conversation with scientists and practitioners working at the intersection of music, neuroscience, and healthcare. Fleming Named Kennedy Honoree Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett Secretary Antony J. Blinken poses for a portrait with 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2023. Front row: Secretary Antony J. Blinken poses for a portrait with 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees at the State Department in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2023. Front row: Evan Ryan, Renée Fleming, Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Deborah F. Rutter. Back row: Secretary Blinken, Queen Latifah, Barry Gibb, David M. Rubenstein. Evan Ryan, Renée Fleming, Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Deborah F. Rutter. Back row: Secretary Blinken, Queen Latifah, Barry Gibb, David M. Rubenstein.