1910 - 1996
Dorothy Maynor was born in Norfolk, VA in 1910.
Attended Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) where she studied under R. Nathaniel Dett.
Maynor founded of The Harlem School of the Arts in 1964 – committed to providing music education at a reduced rate to the children of Harlem.
“What I dream of is changing the image held by the children… We’ve made them believe that everything beautiful is outside the community. We would like them to make beauty in our community.”
-Dorothy Maynor when starting
The Harlem School of the Arts.
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.
She was the first black Metropolitan Opera board members in 1975.
Received honorary degrees from Westminster Choir College, Oberlin College, The Hartt School of Music and two degrees from Howard University.
First African American to sing at a presidential inauguration – President Harry S. Truman’s inaugural gala in 1949 (sang “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord” and “Alleluja” President Dwight D Eisenhower’s 1953 presidential inauguration at Constitution Hall in 1953)
