Profoundly deaf percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie honoured with Polar Music Prize

Virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie has been awarded the prestigious Polar Music Prize.

She shares this year’s accolade with country music star Emmylou Harris.

They will receive their awards at a ceremony in Stockholm in June.

Dame Evelyn was the first performer to create a full-time career as a solo percussionist. After becoming profoundly deaf when she was 12-years-old she discovered that she could feel the vibrations of sounds.

Speaking from her studio in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, she said that the entire body could function like an ear.

Evelyn has played with orchestras all over the world and has won three Grammys for music she has composed.

She performed at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

The Polar Music Prize is an international award which recognises musicians from a variety of genres. Previous British winners include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel.

Evelyn’s award recognises her mission in music. As a deaf performer she says she wants to Teach the World to Listen.