Sylvia Young, the 'visionary' who helped Dua Lipa and Amy Winehouse rise to fame, dies at 86.

British singer Sylvia Young , founder of the eponymous theater school that fostered artists such as Dua Lipa and Amy Winehouse , died "peacefully" on Wednesday at the age of 86, according to her daughters Alison and Frances.

"Our mother was a true visionary, giving young people from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue their performing skills at the highest level," Young 's daughters wrote in a statement.

"His rare ability to recognize raw talent and encourage all his students contributed to the richness of today's theater and music world," they added.

In this regard, the statement asserts that Young's legacy is comprised of "a wealth of brilliant artists, a thriving school bearing his name, and an incalculable place in the heart of the nation."

Founded in 1972 and located in central London, the Sylvia Young Theatre School is considered one of the UK's most prestigious arts academies and boasts a long list of illustrious alumni.

Singers such as Amy Winehouse , Dua Lipa , and Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls have all passed through its classrooms; as well as actors such as Billie Piper ( Doctor Who ) and Nicholas Hoult ( Nosferatu ), among others.

Young was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the British arts and received the Olivier Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2022.