Lulah McEwen Hedgeman

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)
OccupationMusic teacher
Known forVocal music
AwardsOutstanding Performing Arts Teachers in America
Academic background
EducationFisk University, University of Memphis
Academic work
Notable studentsWendy 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
  1. 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.
  2. Smith, Whitney (December 10, 1997). "Heart Attack Claims 'Pied Piper for Kids'". No. 158:344. The Commercial Appeal. pp. B–1, B–2. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  3. Smith, Whitney (October 4, 1990). "Singing Her Praises: Disney to Honor Local Teacher". No. 151:277. The Commercial Appeal. pp. C–1, C–5. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  4. Holguin, Breseida (November 16, 2021). "Wendy Moten Dedicates Performance to Longtime Memphis Educator". actionnews5.com. WMC TV 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  5. "Minutes, Council Committee Meeting". memphis.granicus.com. Memphis and Shelby County Zoning/Planning Commission. April 20, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
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