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WHAT IS SHARED VOICES?

Shared Voices is an unprecedented collaboration between historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), top conservatories, and schools of music in the United States. This initiative is designed to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in a groundbreaking way. Through classes, individual lessons, coaching, rehearsals, performances, and peer-to-peer exchanges, participants will have access to expand their cultural horizons, develop networks, and gain new insights into potential opportunities for a fulfilling career. These singers will take ownership of their career trajectories in a classical vocal arts landscape; one that reflects the diverse world in which we live.

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A LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

DGF BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONGRATULATE

THE INAUGURAL SHARED VOICES INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS

WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS OUR WORK THIS YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE!

JOHN J. POHANKA FAMILY FOUNDATION TRUST
EUGENE B. CASEY FOUNDATION

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
ERWIN L. GREENBERG CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

WITH MUCH GRATITUDE

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CELEBRATING WOMEN & MUSIC

The Denyce Graves Foundation is invested in researching and educating the public about the remarkable stories of courage and persistence of artists who have largely gone unknown.  We call these great musicians, Hidden Voices. From enriching our musical heritage to preparing the diverse pool of tomorrow’s vocal stars, DGF positively impacts how artists are valued in this nation, encouraging inclusive opportunity, access, and advocacy for the next generation.

Today, we celebrate the music and accomplishments of these outstanding composers and trailblazers:

EVENT SCHEDULE

Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture

Community Day: Celebrating Women & Music

Featuring the MEMBERS OF THE DENYCE GRAVES FOUNDATION SHARED VOICES PROGRAM
With collaborative pianists JOYANNE AMANI, FRANK CONLON, and MARVIN MILLS
OPRAH WINFREY THEATER

11:00 AM | WELCOME

Steven Lewis, Ph. D., Curator of Music and Performing Arts Leadership, National Museum of African American History & Culture
Denyce Graves-Montgomery, Founder and Artistic Director, The Denyce Graves Foundation

11:15 AM

TRAVIS GUILLORY, TENOR | Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music

L’heure exquise | Poldowski 1879 – 1932
Goodnight from Four Romantic Love Songs | Adolphus Hailstork b. 1941
It Ain’t Necessarily So from Porgy and Bess | George Gershwin 1898 – 1937

11:30 AM

DARIUS JACKSON, BASS-BARITONE | Morgan State University

Prayer | H. Leslie Adams b. 1932
Oh Glory | arr. Hall Johnson 1888 – 1970

Vi ravviso from La sonnambula | Vincenzo Bellini 1801 – 1835
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me | arr. Edward Boatner 1898 – 1981

11:45 AM

MAURA LANGELLA, SOPRANO | Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute

Moments in Sonder | B. E. Boykin b. 1989 
Tears
Greyday
Refusal
I Want to Die While You Love Me | Rosephanye Powell b. 1962
Secret | B. E. Boykin b. 1989 

12:00 PM

JONATHAN WALTERS SUBER, TENOR | Howard University

Dream Variations | Margaret Bonds 1913 – 1972
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child | arr. Moses Hogan 1957 – 2003
Dancing in the Sun | John Work 1871 – 1925
Lonely House from Street Scene | Kurt Weill 1900 – 1950

12:15 PM

VALARIE MILES, MEZZO-SOPRANO | Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute

Jules Bledsoe 1897 – 1943

Home, home, home 

Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder

The Farewell  

I opened my window 

12:45 PM

HANNAH JEANÉ JONESMEZZO-SOPRANO | Manhattan School of Music

Cruda sorte from L’italiana in Algeri | Gioachino Rossini 1792 – 1868
En vain pour éviter from Carmen | Georges Bizet 1838 – 1875
The Negro Speaks of Rivers | Margaret Bonds 1913 – 1972

12:30 PM

JUSTIN BELL, TENOR | Manhattan School of Music

Four Romantic Love Songs | Adolphus Hailstork b. 1941
1. My Heart to Thy Heart
3. Longing
Song to the Dark Virgin |  Florence Price 1887 – 1953
La Promessa from Les soirées musicales |  Gioachino Rossini 1792 – 1868

1:00 PM

MEET THE ARTISTS

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SHARED VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF A VERY GENEROUS GIFT FROM THE FORD FOUNDATION

“A well-rounded and diverse education is the foundation we build upon to achieve our goals, and it’s crucial that all young people continue to have opportunities and access to build networks, exchange ideas, and expand their horizons. We are thrilled to partner with the legendary Denyce Graves, one of the greatest opera voices of a generation, to pave broader pathways for young artists of all backgrounds.”

DARREN WALKER
PRESIDENT, FORD FOUNDATION

MEET OUR SHARED VOICES COHORT MEMBERS

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“It is critical that we recognize diverse voices in the classical vocal arts community. Having an organization like this which uncovers and celebrates persons of color in the field will be instrumental to developing young artists of all backgrounds.”

—Lonnie Bunch
    Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Images from top to bottom: Opera glasses and case owned by Mary Church Terrell (Gift of Ray and Jean Langston in memory of Mary Church and Robert Terrell); Program for Porgy and Bess; Dress worn by Denyce Graves in Washington National Opera’s production of Carmen (Gift of Denyce Graves); Photograph of Marian Anderson, ©1947 Associated Publishers, Inc. (Gift of Jackie Bryant Smith) All courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

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The Denyce Graves Foundation & The METropolitan Opera

are excited to announce a customized learning series

Behind

the

Curtain

Met administrators from a variety of disciplines will teach students about the broad range of career opportunities within arts administration. The Metropolitan Opera will also provide coaches from its music staff to support a series of masterclasses on the campuses of the colleges, together with providing masterclasses at the Met. The first session was held on February 23 2024.

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“The Metropolitan Opera is proud to support this new initiative of the Denyce Graves Foundation and to play an active role in providing greater educational opportunities for students at HBCUs and Conservatories.”

­—Peter Gelb, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera

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WHY DGF MATTERS

The programs of the Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) promote equity and inclusion in American classical vocal arts by championing the hidden musical figures of the past while uplifting young artists of world-class talent from all backgrounds and preparing them for a successful future.

Hidden Voices uncovers and celebrates the contributions of our nation’s outstanding musicians of color whose achievements are not widely known but have an important place in our evolving American cultural identity.

Generations addresses the often missed vulnerability in the careers of emerging artists; offering mentorships, advocacy, and access to top industry professionals, preparing these singers to take ownership of their career trajectories.

Shared Voices, DGF’s initiative to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, invites elite historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and conservatories to participate in a relationship that strives to create and encourage meaningful connections between consortium members – students, faculty, and administrators – that result in a greater awareness of the diversity within the classical vocal arts and culminate in a meaningful collaboration.

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Through strategic partnerships and cross-industry alignments, DGF champions extensive research, world-class educational outreach, and freshly imagined commissioned works of art to commemorate the lives and accomplishments of historic artists long overlooked.

 

DGF’s philanthropic commitment brings awareness to projects aligning with its mission and core beliefs. In 2021, DGF raised money and awareness for the house that once served as Mary Cardwell Dawson’s National Negro Opera House; resulting in funding and pledges of over $6.5M and a partnership for future program development with the Pittsburgh Opera.

1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste. 500

Washington, DC 20035

1740 Broadway, 15th floor

NYC, NY 10019

917-821-3437

info@thedenycegravesfoundation.org

© 2023 The Denyce Graves Foundation

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Our Federal tax ID is 86-2276658. 

The Denyce Graves Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. 

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