ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) is focused on the intersection of social justice, American history, and the arts. Deeply inspired by the achievements of America’s hidden musical figures, the Foundation is invested in doing research and educating the public about their remarkable stories of courage and persistence. From enriching our musical heritage to preparing the diverse pool of tomorrow’s vocal stars, DGF will positively impact how artists are valued in this nation, encouraging inclusive opportunity, access, and advocacy for the next generation.
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 belonging, access, and inclusion 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 take ownership of their career trajectories in a classical vocal arts landscape; one that reflects the diverse world in which we live.
PROGRAM
Sounds of Hope
Shared Voices Concert
March 6, 2026
7:00 PM
Leondard Davis Center for the Performing Arts: Aaron Davis Hall
Featuring the MEMBERS OF THE DENYCE GRAVES FOUNDATION SHARED VOICES COHORT
Co-Hosted by NEW HERITAGE THEATRE GROUP & CITY COLLEGE CENTER OF THE ARTS
With pianist, Kristen Kemp
Program curated by Pierre Vallet, Music Director
WELCOME
Terry N. Eberhardt, Executive Director
REMARKS
I.
NICOLE DIPASQUALE, SOPRANO
Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Quel guardo il cavaliere from Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti / Ships That Pass in the Night by Florence Price
KAYTIE JEFFRIES, SOPRANO
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Dark Virgin by Florence Price / La Petenera from La Marchenera by Frederico Moreno Torroba
DE'ONTA NEWBORN, TENOR
Tennessee State University
Ideale by Paolo Tosti / Roun’ About de Mountain by Roland Hayes
ELLIOTT BROWN, TENOR
Allen University
Di rigori armato il seno from Die Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss / Life and Death by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
DAISHA VENSON, SOPRANO
Fisk University
Hold Fast to Dreams by Florence Price/ Una donna a quindici anni from Così fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
GABRIEL LUGO, TENOR
Oakwood University
Vainement ma bien-aimée from Le Roi d’Ys by Édouard Lalo / April Rain by Jeremiah Evans
SAMONE BUTLER, SOPRANO
The Juilliard School
Tu che di gel from Turandot by Puccini/ City Called Heaven by Hall Johnson
VALENTINE UMEH, TENOR
New England Conservatory
Amor ti vieta from Fedora by Umberto Giordano / Till I Wake by H.T. Burleigh
HENRIQUE CARVALAHO, TENOR
Generational Voices
Prayer by H. Leslie Adams / Largo al factotum from Barbiere by Paolo Tosti
MEET THE ARTISTS
MEET THE CO-HOSTS
New Heritage Theatre Group is the oldest Black non-profit theater company in New York State. We originated in 1964 under the name New Heritage Repertory Theatre by the late Roger Furman, a revered playwright, director, actor and lecturer, who began his career in the 1940s with the American Negro Theatre in Harlem.
In 1983, Voza Rivers, an award winning music and theatre producer took over the company, and reorganized under the name New Heritage Theatre Group (NHTG). Voza expanded the mission to provide training, experience and international explosure to veteran and emerging performing artists. New Heritage Theatre Group presentations reflect the historical, social and political experiences of African and Latino descendants in America and abroad.
In 1997, Jamal Joseph, an award winning writer, director, documentary film maker and educator, became the Executive Artistic Director. Together Voza and Jamal formed IMPACT Repertory Theatre, their youth performing arts division. Katsuya Abe, International Producer, joined New Heritage Theate Group and co-produced numerous events in the United States and abroad, including: Jazz for Peace, International Piano Festival with People for Disabilities, TOMO and many others.
The Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts serves as a cultural hub that builds a sense of community both within the school and its surrounding neighborhood, while inspiring creativity and diversity. It will also provide a premier venue for local and national performers and for art patrons in the tri-state area.
Aaron Davis Hall is the focal point of this creative revitalization and community programming. CCCA will soon launch phase II of our $10 million renovation of Aaron Davis Hall which includes an upgrade of all theatrical instruments, installation of a lift, upgraded bathrooms & dressing rooms and more.
Aaron Davis Hall is the largest performing arts center in Manhattan north of Lincoln Center. It features two theaters that seat 630 and 267, respectively, and a studio complex. The venue showcases performances that are inclusive in focus, including classical, jazz and Latin music, dance, theater, literary readings, film, performance art and art exhibitions.
The striking architecture of Aaron Davis Hall houses an innovative two-theatre performing arts complex that presents public performances and exhibitions by students as well as professional artists, and serves as the cultural hub for New York City and the Harlem community.
WHY DGF MATTERS
The programs of the Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) promote access 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.
Generational Voices 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 belonging, access, 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.
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
1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste. 500
Washington, DC 20036
1325 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor
NYC, NY 10019
917-821-3437
Our Federal tax ID is 86-2276658.
The Denyce Graves Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.