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 diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) 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 will take ownership of their career trajectories in a classical vocal arts landscape; one that reflects the diverse world in which we live.
DGF BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONGRATULATE
THE INAUGURAL SHARED VOICES INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS
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
CELEBRATING WOMEN & MUSIC
The Denyce Graves Foundation is invested in researching and educating the public about the remarkable stories of courage and persistence of artists who have largely gone unknown. We call these great musicians, Hidden Voices. From enriching our musical heritage to preparing the diverse pool of tomorrow’s vocal stars, DGF positively impacts how artists are valued in this nation, encouraging inclusive opportunity, access, and advocacy for the next generation.
Today, we celebrate the music and accomplishments of these outstanding composers and trailblazers:
EVENT SCHEDULE
Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture
Community Day: Celebrating Women & Music
Featuring the MEMBERS OF THE DENYCE GRAVES FOUNDATION SHARED VOICES PROGRAM
With collaborative pianists JOYANNE AMANI, FRANK CONLON, and MARVIN MILLS
OPRAH WINFREY THEATER
11:00 AM | WELCOME
Steven Lewis, Ph. D., Curator of Music and Performing Arts Leadership, National Museum of African American History & Culture
Denyce Graves-Montgomery, Founder and Artistic Director, The Denyce Graves Foundation
11:15 AM
TRAVIS GUILLORY, TENOR | Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music
L’heure exquise | Poldowski 1879 – 1932
Goodnight from Four Romantic Love Songs | Adolphus Hailstork b. 1941
It Ain’t Necessarily So from Porgy and Bess | George Gershwin 1898 – 1937
11:30 AM
DARIUS JACKSON, BASS-BARITONE | Morgan State University
Prayer | H. Leslie Adams b. 1932
Oh Glory | arr. Hall Johnson 1888 – 1970
Vi ravviso from La sonnambula | Vincenzo Bellini 1801 – 1835
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me | arr. Edward Boatner 1898 – 1981
11:45 AM
MAURA LANGELLA, SOPRANO | Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
Moments in Sonder | B. E. Boykin b. 1989
Tears
Greyday
Refusal
I Want to Die While You Love Me | Rosephanye Powell b. 1962
Secret | B. E. Boykin b. 1989
12:00 PM
JONATHAN WALTERS SUBER, TENOR | Howard University
Dream Variations | Margaret Bonds 1913 – 1972
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child | arr. Moses Hogan 1957 – 2003
Dancing in the Sun | John Work 1871 – 1925
Lonely House from Street Scene | Kurt Weill 1900 – 1950
12:15 PM
VALARIE MILES, MEZZO-SOPRANO | Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
Jules Bledsoe 1897 – 1943
Home, home, home
Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder
The Farewell
I opened my window
12:45 PM
HANNAH JEANÉ JONES, MEZZO-SOPRANO | Manhattan School of Music
Cruda sorte from L’italiana in Algeri | Gioachino Rossini 1792 – 1868
En vain pour éviter from Carmen | Georges Bizet 1838 – 1875
The Negro Speaks of Rivers | Margaret Bonds 1913 – 1972
12:30 PM
JUSTIN BELL, TENOR | Manhattan School of Music
Four Romantic Love Songs | Adolphus Hailstork b. 1941
1. My Heart to Thy Heart
3. Longing
Song to the Dark Virgin | Florence Price 1887 – 1953
La Promessa from Les soirées musicales | Gioachino Rossini 1792 – 1868
1:00 PM
MEET THE ARTISTS
SHARED VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF A VERY GENEROUS GIFT FROM THE FORD FOUNDATION
“A well-rounded and diverse education is the foundation we build upon to achieve our goals, and it’s crucial that all young people continue to have opportunities and access to build networks, exchange ideas, and expand their horizons. We are thrilled to partner with the legendary Denyce Graves, one of the greatest opera voices of a generation, to pave broader pathways for young artists of all backgrounds.”
DARREN WALKER
PRESIDENT, FORD FOUNDATION
MEET OUR SHARED VOICES COHORT MEMBERS
“It is critical that we recognize diverse voices in the classical vocal arts community. Having an organization like this which uncovers and celebrates persons of color in the field will be instrumental to developing young artists of all backgrounds.”
—Lonnie Bunch
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Images from top to bottom: Opera glasses and case owned by Mary Church Terrell (Gift of Ray and Jean Langston in memory of Mary Church and Robert Terrell); Program for Porgy and Bess; Dress worn by Denyce Graves in Washington National Opera’s production of Carmen (Gift of Denyce Graves); Photograph of Marian Anderson, ©1947 Associated Publishers, Inc. (Gift of Jackie Bryant Smith) All courtesy of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
The Denyce Graves Foundation & The METropolitan Opera
are excited to announce a customized learning series
Behind
the
Curtain
Met administrators from a variety of disciplines will teach students about the broad range of career opportunities within arts administration. The Metropolitan Opera will also provide coaches from its music staff to support a series of masterclasses on the campuses of the colleges, together with providing masterclasses at the Met. The first session was held on February 23 2024.
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“The Metropolitan Opera is proud to support this new initiative of the Denyce Graves Foundation and to play an active role in providing greater educational opportunities for students at HBCUs and Conservatories.”
—Peter Gelb, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera
WHY DGF MATTERS
The programs of the Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) promote equity 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.
Generations 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 diversity, equity, 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.
Through strategic partnerships and cross-industry alignments, DGF champions extensive research, world-class educational outreach, and freshly imagined commissioned works of art to commemorate the lives and accomplishments of historic artists long overlooked.
DGF’s philanthropic commitment brings awareness to projects aligning with its mission and core beliefs. In 2021, DGF raised money and awareness for the house that once served as Mary Cardwell Dawson’s National Negro Opera House; resulting in funding and pledges of over $6.5M and a partnership for future program development with the Pittsburgh Opera.
1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste. 500
Washington, DC 20035
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.