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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.
OUR PURPOSE AND VISION
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APRIL 23, 2025
6:00 PM EST
Thomas Jefferson Building - Coolidge Auditorium
Porgy and Bess 90th Anniversary Concert & Panel
The Library of Congress and Washington National Opera celebrate the 90th anniversary of George and Ira Gershwin's landmark work "Porgy and Bess." Artists of the Washington National Opera perform selections from "Porgy and Bess," and hear a discussion about the history and impact of this iconic American work for the stage.
APRIL 25-MAY 11, 2025
Norfolk, Fairfax, Richmond
WORLD PREMIERE of Loving V. Virginia
Virginia Opera and Richmond Symphony present the highly anticipated world premiere of Loving v. Virginia. A young couple’s interracial marriage in 1958 sparks a case that leads to the Supreme Court and a victory for civil rights in the United States. This operatic retelling is based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving. Directed by Founder and Artistic Director, Denyce Graves.
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MAY 23 - 31, 2025
The Kennedy Center
Hidden Voices Exhibit: The Women of Porgy & Bess
Join us at the Kennedy Center for a curated Hidden Voices exhibit, complimenting Washington National Opera's production. As Porgy and Bess approaches its 90th anniversary, the opera’s four central female characters—Bess, Serena, Clara, and Maria—stand as testaments to the evolving perceptions of gender, race, and agency in American opera.
EVENTS
HIDDEN VOICES SPOTLIGHT
Seth McCoy
Seth McCoy did not intend to be a professional singer; he wanted to be a barber. Born in Sanford, NC, his family eventually settled in Cleveland where he sang in choirs. He was drafted into the army and served two years in Korea. After his return to Cleveland, he landed a job as a mail carrier and worked nights preparing for his dream career. During that time, he was introduced to Pauline Thesmacher of the Music Settlement House with whom he studied for seven years. Robert Shaw, assistant conductor for the Cleveland Orchestra, accepted him into the orchestra chorus. Shaw encouraged him to move to New York where he excelled as an oratorio and concert singer; he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera at the age of 50. In interviews he revealed that he always felt less comfortable with operatic performance and preferred oratorios and recital performance. He sang with orchestras across the country and was one of the soloists in the 1972 premiere of Joplin’s Treemonisha with Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony. In 1982 he joined the faculty of the Eastman School of Music and remained there for the rest of his career.
OUR STORY
DGF is rooted in the belief that now is the time to increase our nation’s commitment to its artists, both past and present—for America’s future and for the whole world. In paying homage to the achievements of so many who have gone before while serving the real needs of today’s emerging artist singers, The Denyce Graves Foundation is giving back and paying it forward at the same time.
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.
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.
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IN THE NEWS
The Denyce Graves Foundation Recognized by the American Academy of Teachers of Singing
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.”
Second Year of Shared Voices Partnership Brings New Cohort of Aspiring Singers to the Met on February 28
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.
Music by Black Classical Composers Brings in Black History Month at the Washington National Cathedral
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.”
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.
