Jack White has been named an Honorary Dean at the Fermatta Music Academy in Mexico City. On August 22nd, the rocker made a surprise appearance at the Academy’s 20th anniversary celebration to give a speech on his family, the influence of Detroit on his life and the technical aspects of songwriting.
“The sense of being a musician is making art, and I do not care whether it is solo or as part of a collective project,” White told the crowd, which featured over 150 students and members of the local media. “At all times, I seek to express myself, and different circumstances of my life could also become multiple creative and stylistic channels.”
White was also given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony, where he was introduced by singer-songwriter Elan. He’s the first musician to be awarded the Honorary Dean title in the history of the Academy.