Denyce Graves, narrator
American mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves has captivated audiences across the globe for over four decades, gracing the world's most esteemed opera houses and concert halls. A consummate artist with an extensive discography, she has been prominently featured on national public television, appearing in celebrated programs ranging from Great Performances to Sesame Street.
Ms. Graves has championed world premieres of operas and song cycles, garnered numerous prestigious awards, and triumphed in elite international competitions. Her defining operatic portrayals include the eponymous heroines Carmen and Dalila, and more contemporary Margaret Garner in The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson.
In the 2025-2026 season, Ms. Graves returns to the Metropolitan Opera as Maria in Porgy and Bess. Ms. Graves also helms a new production of Treemonisha at Washington National Opera in her directorial debut with the company. The previous season saw her reprise the role of Maria at Washington National Opera, headline the company's annual gala in American Rhapsody, and direct the world premiere of Loving v. Virginia in a co-production with Virginia Opera and Minnesota Opera as well as The Tongue and The Lash for Town Hall NYC’s James Baldwin Centennial.
Beyond her illustrious performing career, Ms. Graves is a dedicated educator and esteemed faculty member at the Juilliard School and the Peabody Conservatory. An Emmy and GRAMMY Award-winning artist, she has been recognized with multiple honorary Doctorates of Musical Arts, serves as a tireless advocate for the arts, and holds the distinguished title of Global Music Ambassador for the United States. Her enduring legacy is further enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution, where her portrait is part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection, and her image is commemorated in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
In 2021, Ms. Graves founded The Denyce Graves Foundation to support vocal artists at every stage of their careers while honoring the trailblazers who came before. The Foundation’s mission is to cultivate and elevate exceptionally gifted singers from all backgrounds, ensuring they have the resources and guidance to reach their full potential. The organization has already made a profound impact, spearheading the successful campaign to preserve the National Opera House in Pittsburgh—an essential but long-overlooked landmark of American cultural history.
While Ms. Graves remains an active performer and sought-after stage director, she envisions her greatest legacy extending beyond the stage. Through The Denyce Graves Foundation, she is shaping the future of vocal artistry, empowering the next generation of extraordinary singers, and illuminating the narratives of pivotal yet underrecognized musical pioneers. Embodying its credo, "Educating is Activism," The Denyce Graves Foundation—and its luminous founder—continue to uplift and inspire, ensuring that the soul of American music resonates for generations to come.
Please visit the artist’s website at https://www.thedenycegraves.com