American mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, has graced nearly all the major world opera house stages and concert halls during her four-decades-long career. With numerous recordings, she has been featured on national public television everywhere from “Great Performances” to “Sesame Street”. A champion of new works, Ms. Graves has premiered operas, song cycles, and won competitions and countless awards. Her signature opera roles include Carmen, Dalila and the more contemporary Margaret Garner and The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson.

Denyce Graves is an educator and on faculty at The Juilliard School and Peabody Conservatory.

The Emmy and GRAMMY Award winner has received many honorary Doctorates of Musical Arts, is an arts advocate and currently serves as Global Music Ambassador for the United States. A portrait of Ms. Graves can be seen as part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute's National Portrait Gallery, and her image is represented in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

Ms. Graves formed The Denyce Graves Foundation in 2021 to support singers at all stages of their careers & honor the contributions of those who have gone before. The Denyce Graves Foundation cultivates programs aimed at encouraging exceptionally talented vocal artists of all backgrounds to fulfill their potential.

While Ms. Graves still enjoys an active career as a stage director and performer, she sees her legacy extending far beyond her recordings through her work with The Denyce Graves Foundation, empowering the next generation of outstanding singers and reintroducing the world to the critical but forgotten musical heroes of our past. With its slogan, "Educating is Activism”, The Denyce Graves Foundation—and its luminous founder—are on their way to lifting the soul of America.