The American Academy of Teachers of Singing is pleased to recognize The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) with an AATS Award for Inclusion, Mentorship and Inspiration “in recognition of the impact this organization is having on the lives of young singers who have been traditionally underserved by the educational branch of the musical arts.”

The Metropolitan Opera continues its partnership with the Denyce Graves Foundation’s Shared Voices program, the student-exchange initiative that brings together elite historically Black colleges and universities and America’s preeminent conservatories and institutions, for a second year. On Friday, February 28, a new cohort of 18 students will participate in an immersive day-long program at the Met.

Kicking off the first day of Black History Month on Feb. 1, an audience at the Washington National Cathedral spent the afternoon learning about and listening to Black composers, at the concert: “Onward & Upward: The Unsung Heroes of Classical Music.” Musicians were from The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF), the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA), and The Sam Bonds Chorale. Terry Eberhardt, DGF executive director,  shared the vision for the afternoon event: collaborators bringing out the history of Black classical music. “Our foundation has grappled with the question of how do we put these stories back into history,” said Eberhardt. “We aim to identify hidden voices and restore them to their rightful place through the works we create.”

DGF has now appointed the French conductor Pierre Vallet as its new Music Director. A graduate of L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, Vallet is also a pianist, lecturer, and guest teacher at world-leading institutions, plus has guest conducted at many opera houses worldwide. 

Broadway World speaks with Denyce Graves about THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON at North Carolina Opera in December of 2024.

Lara Downs interviews Founder and Artistic Director, Denyce Graves in her NPR Classical California segment "AMPLIFY." It was from one of her students that she first heard about Mary Cardwell Dawson, fostering the careers of hundreds of young Black singers during an era of institutional racism and segregation. She spearheaded fundraising efforts to restore Dawson’s historic building and collaborated with the Glimmerglass Festival to produce and premiere a new musical play called The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson. That’s just one example of the passion-into-action that drives Denyce and her Foundation.

Arts for Learning Maryland is honored to feature Denyce Graves, internationally recognized mezzo-soprano opera singer, as this year’s Blacktastic living legend! While the annual virtual festival traditionally features Black historical figures from days past, Denyce stands out as a musician actively writing her chapter in Maryland’s history book today. In addition to being an Emmy and Grammy Award-winning vocalist, mother, wife, and educator, Denyce is an arts nonprofit pioneer making sure the path is clear for the young musicians of tomorrow through the work of the Denyce Graves Foundation.

BALTIMORE SUN: Denyce Graves, artistic director and founder of the Denyce Graves Foundation, talks about the foundation. She is in her studio at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University where she is a faculty member. Graves created the foundation to promote equality in classical vocal music, bring the stories of those not given attention to light and support young artists. 

The February episode of WETA Arts, the locally-produced television program of WETA that celebrates visual and performing arts in the Washington, D.C. area, will present a special feature on world-renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, with a focus on The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF), which seeks to advance equity and inclusion in American Classical vocal artistry with an innovative approach that includes seeking out “hidden musical figures” of the past. 

The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) is delighted to announce the appointment of Terry Eberhardt as its new Executive Director, marking a significant stride towards advancing equity and inclusion in American classical vocal arts. With a distinguished background in arts education, philanthropy, and community engagement, Eberhardt is poised to lead the foundation in championing the often-overlooked musical voices of the past and fostering the growth of exceptional young artists.

The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is set to welcome visiting classical voice students to its Baltimore campus for a symposium and intensive coaching sessions as part of Shared Voices, a collaboration between HBCUs and leading conservatories designed to foster a more diverse classical vocal arts...

Peabody is proud to welcome Shared Voices Symposium 2023: In the Driver’s Seat, the second annual event held by faculty artist Denyce Graves’ namesake foundation’s collaboration among Historically Black Colleges and Universities and leading conservatories and music schools of North America...

Today, it’s Midday on the Arts. We begin with a conversation about a program designed to help further the educations and careers of young people of color in classical music...

Symone Harcum was a graduate student when she met the mezzo-soprano, who guided her through a field that has traditionally overlooked Black women.

Tenor Russell Thomas, an artist-in-residence at LA Opera since 2021, has been working to expand the company’s creative and community engagement programs, taking particular care to connect with the next generation of singers...

Hannah Jeané Jones ’22 first met Denyce Graves when the iconic opera singer taught a masterclass at Lawrence University last year.
Now a first-year classical voice master’s student at Manhattan School of Music in New York City, Jones finds herself a cohort member in Graves’ Shared Voices program…

Denyce Graves becomes the first recipient of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg award, given by Washington Performing Arts...

Grammy-winning opera singer Denyce Graves founded Shared Voices, which connects students at HBCUS with those at conservatories, and student Kevin Webb performs a Handel classic.

The ‘play with music’ stars mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves as the founder of the National Negro Opera Company

Hidden Voices is the education and advocacy initiative of The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF)...

Hidden Voices is the education and advocacy initiative of The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF). Hidden Voices will...

In “The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson,” she plays a real-life trailblazer.

Opera star Denyce Graves was in her first year of teaching at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University when she says she met a graduate student with a beautiful voice....

A Letter congratulating the Denyce Graves Foundation from Vice President Kamala Harris…

The New York Center for Children (NYCC) hosted its Annual Spring Celebration at The Peninsula New York in New York City.

The New York Center for Children (NYCC) hosted its Annual Spring Celebration at The Peninsula New York in New York City.

The New York Center for Children (NYCC) hosted its Annual Spring Celebration at The Peninsula New York in New York City.