1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste. 500
Washington, DC 20035
Our Federal tax ID is 86-2276658.
The Denyce Graves Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
WHAT IS SHARED VOICES?
Shared Voices, the flagship program of the Denyce Graves Foundation, is the unprecedented collaboration between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and top conservatories and schools of music in the United States. This innovative initiative is designed to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion across the musical spectrum.
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, and one that reflects the diverse world in which we live.
“I view it as both an honor and a privilege to take part in a program that will work to mirror the diversity we see in our communities for a more pragmatic classical landscape.”
– Sophia Baete,
Junior, Mezzo-soprano at Juilliard
“I am still speechless from my experience at the Good Morning America studio. I had an absolute blast. Most importantly, I will never forget how kind the staff, cast, and crew members were to us.”
–Hannah Jeané Jones,
Graduate Student, Mezzo-soprano Manhattan
“Being a part of the Shared Voices program is important to me because I am grateful to share my musical gift with others and I'm honored to work with such amazing people!"
–Jonathan Walters Suber
Sophomore, Tenor, Howard University
OUR 2022-2023 PROGRAMS
This year, Shared Voices brings students and faculty from 8 outstanding academic institutions together, all well-known for their successful music programs. The voice faculties and administrators of these institutions are fully committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive musical future for our communities and are honored to be partnered with the Denyce Graves Foundation.
Through shared experiences, students and faculty will expand their cultural horizons, develop networks, explore curriculum development, and engage in thoughtful dialogue.
GET INVOLVED
Your generous donation to the Denyce Graves Foundation supports our efforts in bringing Shared Voices to more of our nation’s vocal arts programs, to enrich the lives of more students, and help encourage a cultural landscape within the vocal arts at American universities that reflects the diverse world in which we live.
HIDDEN NO MORE,
at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture
BEHIND THE SCENES:
SHARED VOICES IMMERSIVE FILMED FOR GOOD MORNING AMERICA
SHARED VOICES LAUNCH EVENT
MARCH 23, SHARED VOICES MASTERCLASS
DEC 1, SHARED VOICES MASTERCLASS
PHOTO GALLERIES
WHAT IS AN HBCU?
They are institutions of higher education in the U. S. that were established prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting entity. The first HBCUs (Cheyney University, Lincoln University and Wilberforce University) were established before 1861, but most were founded after the American Civil War in the Southern U.S. during the period of Reconstruction (1863-1877).
After Reconstruction, in the era of segregation prior to the Civil Rights Act, the majority of institutions of higher education served predominantly white students and disqualified or limited enrollment by black students. For a century after the end of slavery in the U.S. in 1865, most colleges and universities in the South prohibited any Blacks from attending, while institutions in other parts of the country regularly employed quotas to limit admissions of Blacks.
Currently, there are 107 HBCUs in the country in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including both public and private institutions.
HBCUs have experienced an 11% increase in enrollment in recent decades that continued even during the pandemic, and almost 340,00 students presently attend HBCUs. Among many notable graduates of HBCUs are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Toni Morrison, Thurgood Marshall, Spike Lee and Kamala Harris.
WHAT IS A MUSIC CONSERVATORY?
A Conservatory of music is an institution for education in musical performance and composition. Originally to train musicians for public performance, they eventually expanded the curriculum to include composition, instrumental and vocal technique and acting.
The first Conservatories in the United States were Oberlin Conservatory located in Oberlin, Ohio established in 1865 and Peabody Conservatory located in Baltimore, Maryland classes starting in 1868. The benefits of attending a Music Conservatory is the ability to focus specifically on your major, opportunities to perform in full-length productions, and receive weekly one-on-one lessons and coaching along with numerous performance opportunities.
OUR HBCU PARTNERS
The Denyce Graves Foundation is proud to partner with the following Historically Black Colleges and Universities for the 2022 - 2023 Shared Voices program. Click on each institution's logo to learn more.
OUR MUSIC CONSERVATORY PARTNERS
The Denyce Graves Foundation is proud to partner with the following Music Conservatories for the 2022 - 2023 Shared Voices program. Click on each institution's logo to learn more.
