Lulah McEwen Hedgeman (1938–1997) was an American musician and educator in Tennessee who taught at Memphis' Overton High School for Creative and Performing Arts.[1]: 163 Hedgeman built a concert choir, a chamber group, and a jazz show choir and took her singers to the level of international competition.[1]: 164 Her background included a B.A. in Music at Fisk University and a Master's degree from the University of Memphis.[1]: 164
Lulah McEwen Hedgeman | |
|---|---|
 Lulah Hedgeman c. 1980 (photo: Richard Gardner) | |
| Occupation | Music teacher |
| Known for | Vocal music |
| Awards | Outstanding Performing Arts Teachers in America |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Fisk University, University of Memphis |
| Academic work | |
| Notable students | Wendy Moten, K.Michelle, O'Landa Draper |
She won multiple "teacher of the year" awards at the local and state level,[1]: 164 but gained national recognition in 1991 after being chosen as one of Disney's "Outstanding Performing Arts Teachers in America".[1][2] For this she received a cash award and a paid trip to Hollywood for her 31-member chamber singers, whom she conducted in a Disney Channel program called "American Teacher Awards".[3] In 1994 she was given an "Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts" degree by Rhodes College. She was subsequently called "Dr. Hedgeman" even though the title was an honorary one.[1]
She taught future music professionals Wendy Moten, K.Michelle, O'Landa Draper, and bass-baritone Charles Billings.[2] In 2021, when Moten appeared as a contestant on NBC's "The Voice " she acknowledged Hedgeman and dedicated the performance to her.[4] Hedgeman died suddenly on December 8, 1997, after an apparent heart attack at age 59.[1] It occurred in her home about two hours after she conducted a choir rehearsal.[2] The City of Memphis named a street for her, "Dr. Lulah M. Hedgeman Lane".[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g DeCosta-Willis, Miriam (2008). Notable Black Memphians. Amherst, N.Y.: Cambria Press. pp. 163–165. ISBN 978-1-62196-863-4. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c Smith, Whitney (December 10, 1997). "Heart Attack Claims 'Pied Piper for Kids'". Vol. 158, no. 344. The Commercial Appeal. pp. B–1, B–2. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Whitney (October 4, 1990). "Singing Her Praises: Disney to Honor Local Teacher". Vol. 151, no. 277. The Commercial Appeal. pp. C–1, C–5. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Holguin, Breseida (November 16, 2021). "Wendy Moten Dedicates Performance to Longtime Memphis Educator". actionnews5.com. WMC TV 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ "Minutes, Council Committee Meeting". memphis.granicus.com. Memphis and Shelby County Zoning/Planning Commission. April 20, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2022.