BVA PATRONS
Page updated: 20th July 2010
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE, Légion d'honneur
Britain's most-successful ever Female Pop Music Artist, estimated to have sold over 135 million records worldwide in a career of unrivalled longevity. Her 2009 album Performance recently reached no.20 in the album charts 53 years after her first record, and her live performances have taken her to most major concert halls worldwide.

Ron Baken Ph.D
Currently the Vocal Tract Physiologist at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Ron Baken is also Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, and Adjunct Professor of Otolaryngology at New York Medical College. Dr. Baken is internationally recognized for his research in voice physiology, and is the author of more than 50 scientific articles and book chapters. He is the co-author of several books, including the text that is generally acknowledged as the standard reference work on methods of acoustic and physiologic measurement of vocal tract function.
Marc Bouchayer, MD
World renowned Laryngologist considered one of the fathers of modern day phonosurgery. Together with Phoniatrist Guy Cornut, he set up the Voice service at the 'Polychinique des Minguettes' in Lyon, France. He developed microsurgical instruments which are now used worldwide, and together with Dr Cornut also developed one of the first specialist courses in Phonosurgery. Their interactive video text book "Assessing dysphonia - the role of videostroboscopy" is a world standard.
Dame Felicity Lott, DBE, Légion d'honneur
Soprano whose opera career includes major roles at all the world's greatest opera houses, and whose concert and recording career includes collaborations with many of the world's finest conductors and pianists. Photo: Trevor Leighton.
Sir Derek Jacobi, CBE
Screen and stage actor, film director and founding member of the National Theatre, Sir Derek Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, playing such notable characters as Edward II, Richard III, Octavius Caesar and Cyrano de Bergerac. He has also won several prestigious awards such as a Tony Award for his performance in “Much Ado About Nothing” and a BAFTA for “I, Claudius”.