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 1, 2025
2:00 PM
Aaron Davis Hall: Marian Anderson Theater
Featuring the MEMBERS OF THE DENYCE GRAVES FOUNDATION SHARED VOICES COHORT
Co-Hosted by THE HARLEM CHAMBER PLAYERS, NEW HERITAGE THEATRE GROUP, & CITY COLLEGE CENTER OF THE ARTS
With pianist, Paul Byssainthe
Program curated by Pierre Vallet, Music Director
WELCOME
The Denyce Graves Foundation
I.
ELLIOTT BROWN, TENOR
Allen University
Addio, fiorito asil from Madama Butterfly | G. Puccini
I, Too from Three Dream Portraits | M. Bonds
MELISSA PEREYRA, SOPRANO
New England Conservatory
Je suis encore tout étourdie from Manon | J. Massenet
This Litt'l Light of Mine | Arr. R.M. Carter
JAYDON BELEFORD, TENOR
Manhattan School of Music
Adieu, mignon! from Mignon | A. Thomas
Life and Death | S. Coleridge-Taylor
JASMIN WARD, SOPRANO
The Juilliard School
Il est doux, il est bon from Hérodiade | J. Massenet
My Man's Gone Now from Porgy and Bess | G. Gershwin
LAUREN TOREY, MEZZO-SOPRANO
The Juilliard School
Sein wir wieder gut from Ariadne auf Naxos | R. Strauss
What My Lips Have Kissed from Four Songs | M. Bonds
JASMIN WARD & ELLIOTT BROWN
O soave fanciulla from La bohème | G. Puccini
II.
AUBREY COLE & LAUREN TOREY
Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour from Les Contes d'Hoffmann | J. Offenbach
SARAH BUTLER, SOPRANO
The Juilliard School
Dream Variations from Dream Variations | R. Thompson
Sì, mi chiamano Mimì from La bohème | G. Puccini
INAYAH RAHEEM, MEZZO-SOPRANO
Oberlin Conservatory
Che farò senza Euridice? from Orfeo ed Euridice | C.W. Gluck
When I Am Dead, My Dearest from 6 Sorrow Songs | S. Coleridge-Taylor
AUBREY COLE, SOPRANO
The Peabody Institute
Summer in the South | J. Evans
Steal me, sweet thief from The Old Maid and the Thief | G.C. Menotti
JASMIN WARD, SOPRANO
The Juilliard School
Come in quest'ora bruna from Simon Boccanegra | G. Verdi
ENSEMBLE FINALE
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Arr. M. Bonds
MEET THE ARTISTS
MEET THE CO-HOSTS
The Harlem Chamber Players Inc., is an ethnically diverse collective of professional classical musicians dedicated to bringing high-caliber, affordable, accessible live classical music to people in the Harlem community and beyond. The Harlem Chamber Players help build diverse audiences for live classical music through community and educational outreach and collaborations with other arts organizations. The Harlem Chamber Players promote local community access to the arts and arts inclusion. The group brings live music to underserved neighborhoods, promotes shared community cultural engagement and provides opportunities for classically trained musicians of color. Throughout the year, the group presents a rich and varied season of live concerts indoors, outdoors and online. The group also performs educational concerts for students at venues throughout the city and in New Jersey, among other activities.
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.
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The City College Center for the 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.
TO OUR SUPPORTERS
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.