London’s Royal Academy of Music Announces 2025 Honors

Among this year’s honorees include violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, composer Unsuk Chin, and pianist Emanuel Ax

The Royal Academy of Music (RAM), in London, annually celebrates the significant contribution of today’s leading artists and educators in their fields through its prestigious honorary memberships and degrees. 

Limited to 300 exceptional musicians who did not attend the Academy, RAM’s Honorary Membership recipients this year include the GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Emanuel Ax, London Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Timpanist and RAM professor Simon Carrington, violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, and conductor Nathalie Stutzmann.

Additional honorees include pianist Marc-André Hamelin, composer Unsuk Chin, leading jazz artist Dr. Gary Crosby, sopranos Lise Davidsen and Pretty Yende, and musical theatre director and teacher George Hall. 

Additionally, the pioneering musician, producer, and visual artist Brian Eno received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree for his achievements, including acclaimed solo releases and producing albums with Talking Heads, U2, Coldplay, and more. 

RAM also welcomed six new Academy Fellows — an honour reserved for alumni. These Fellows are soprano Mary Bevan, actor and singer Fra Fee, pianist Anna Tilbrook, lutenist and producer Matthew Wadsworth, Oslo Philharmonic Principal Cello Louisa Tuck, and pianist and composer Iain Farrington.

“The Academy’s fellows and honorary members remind us that the continuum of excellence and inspiration is what allows our wonderful art form to flourish — and in every part of society,” said RAM Principal Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE. “The wide range of disciplines recognised in this year’s honours reflects the Academy’s determination that its third century witnesses ever-expanding paths of musical endeavour.”