Dane Richeson, the Conservatory of Music’s longtime leader of the Lawrence University Percussion Ensemble (LUPÉ) and professor of music, is being honored with a prestigious award from the Percussive Arts Society.
Richeson will be presented with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award in Education at the international organization’s Nov. 10 banquet in Indianapolis.
“I am deeply moved and honored to receive this award from PAS,” said Richeson, a member of the Conservatory faculty since 1984. “I appreciate the recognition of the work I have put into building the percussion program here. I am proud of my students who have taught me how to be a better teacher.”
Grow your artistry, build your technical facility, and expand your musical possibilities in a community of empowerment, collaboration, and support.
Richeson has led LUPÉ to significant success over nearly four decades. The ensemble has released two well-received albums and has been honored by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society. Watching the success of former students after they graduate is part of the reward, Richeson said.
“Many of the graduates from Lawrence’s percussion program have gone on to professional careers of their own in music education and performance,” he said.
Richeson has forged an impressive performance career of his own, and he brings those experiences back to his teaching. He has been featured as a solo marimbist, contemporary chamber music percussionist, world percussion specialist, and jazz drummer and has performed with such notable artists as Bobby McFerrin, Gordon Stout, Nancy Zeltsman, and Gunther Schuller. His research has allowed him to live, study, and teach in three distinctly different cultures: Ghana, studying the music and dance of the Ewe people; Matanzas, Cuba, where he worked with celebrated Afro-Cuban drummers; and Salvador and Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he studied the drumming traditions of the State of Bahia.
“The award also reflects on the great teachers and other mentors I have had in my lifetime,” Richeson said. “I have been very lucky with the serendipity of meeting and befriending some powerful musicians who have guided me along the way. One of them is Nancy Zeltsman, who nominated me for this award. I can’t thank her enough. This award also helps get the word out about our great University and Conservatory.”
Ed Berthiaume
Ed Berthiaume is director of public information at Lawrence University.