Edye Evans Hyde of the Hope College music faculty has been chosen by the Grand Rapids Symphony to receive a 2013 Celebration of Soul Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award.
She will be one of three recipients honored during the symphony’s eighth annual Celebration of Soul dinner, being held on Saturday, Feb. 16, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.
The awards are based on exceptional contributions involving auspicious success (leadership, innovation, initiatives and creativity) in furthering a diverse, impartial and inclusive environment with a focus on the arts and education communities.
Edye Evans Hyde is an instructor of jazz at Hope, where she also directs the Gospel Choir. She has been teaching and performing jazz, blues and pop music for more 30 years in West Michigan, Los Angeles and Asia. In September 2011, she was named Musician of the Year by the West Michigan Jazz Society.
A 1975 graduate of Creston High School in Grand Rapids, she holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Aquinas College, has taught K-12 vocal music, and also served as the assistant director of admissions at Grand Rapids Community College.
She has shared the stage with world-renowned blues singer Linda Hopkins, pop singer Michael Bolton, Maria Muldaur, actress Connie Stevens, the late Ray Charles and Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval. She has also appeared with The Grand Rapids Symphony and The West Shore Symphony performing songs from her acclaimed CDs “Girl Talk” and “Lady with A Song.” Her newest album is “Magic in His Eyes.”
Her stage performances have included principal roles in “Dream Girls,” “Ain’t Misbehavin,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Blues For an Alabama Sky,” “Intimate Apparel,” “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” “Ragtime” and “Having Our Say.” Her credits also the role of Ms. Lucy in the locally produced television show “Come On Over!” and many other movie and video productions. She is also the narrator for the Grand Rapids Symphony Lollipops.
Her husband, Mike Hyde, is an instructor of jazz guitar at Hope. They have two grown children, Leah (Nikki) and Evan.
The Grand Rapids Symphony will also be honoring the Rev. Nathaniel Moody and Baxter Community Center with awards during the dinner, which will be followed by the 12th annual “Symphony with Soul” Concert. Additional information about the evening is available online at grsymphony.org/events/celebration-soul-2013