Opera for Peace Academy - Masterclass with Denyce Graves

This masterclass, led by Denyce Graves, world-renowned legend mezzo-soprano and founder of The Denyce Graves Foundation, will focus on refining vocal support, tone production, and character interpretation. Each participant will work on one aria, receiving direct feedback on phrasing, projection, and stylistic accuracy. Ms. Graves will share her approach to maintaining vocal strength and expressiveness across repertoire, drawing on her distinguished operatic and teaching career.

Auditors will observe how technical and artistic guidance converge to shape compelling performance. The audience will attend the masterclass in an observational capacity, witnessing the instructor’s direct work with the selected OFP artists on their arias. In the final 30 minutes of each session, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a brief Q&A with the instructor.

Denyce Graves appears by courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera

About Denyce Graves

Renowned for her distinctive voice and captivating stage presence, Denyce Graves has established herself as one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of our time. Beyond her storied career as a performer, she has also made a profound impact as an educator and stage director, inspiring the next generation of opera artists and reshaping the field with her creative vision.

As a teacher, Graves serves as a dedicated mentor, guiding young singers to develop not only their vocal artistry but also their interpretive depth and professionalism. Drawing upon her four and a half decades of extensive experience performing on the world’s premier stages, including The Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and La Scala, she equips performing artists with the tools to navigate the complexities of a modern operatic career. Known for her nurturing yet exacting approach, she is a sought-after faculty member and masterclass clinician at leading conservatories and training programs worldwide.

In her role as a stage director, Graves brings her deep understanding of character and dramatic storytelling to the forefront. Her productions are characterized by their emotional authenticity, innovative staging, and sensitivity to the nuances of both music and text. As a director, she is deeply invested in creating inclusive narratives, ensuring that opera remains relevant and accessible to contemporary audiences.

About the Opera for Peace US Academy 2025

The Opera for Peace & The Denyce Graves Foundation Academy is a landmark program created by Opera for Peace in partnership with the Denyce Graves Foundation. Building on the success of previous Academies in Rome and Paris since 2022, it brings together exceptional emerging talents, opera luminaries, and visionary cultural leaders for an immersive experience in artistic excellence, mentorship, and peacebuilding through the arts.

About Opera for Peace

Opera for Peace is an international non-profit organization for emerging opera professionals, working in six continents to connect, support, and promote outstanding artists through our Opera for Peace network including high-level Ambassadors, Advisors and Partners.

We focus on Citizen Artists, embracing our positive values, passionate about creating a strong community and using their artistry to become cultural role models. We give priority to artists who need additional support. We focus on different strategic regions to offer local mentorship and empowerment, and most importantly, a way to connect to the wider global cultural community.

Security Rules: Each person attending the event must have a ticket registered in their name and a government-issued ID that matches the name on the reservation to enter the Embassy. No one will be admitted without a reservation and official ID. Due to strict security measures, please arrive on time, as doors will be closed at 2:00 pm sharp. Please allow for extra time for security screenings.

Credits: This event is organized by the Institut Français USA - Villa Albertine and the Resources USA Foundation. Resources USA Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting collaboration between the US and France to encourage Innovation in Science, Technology, Culture, and Higher Education.