Denyce Graves Joins Juilliard as Distinguished Visiting Faculty

Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves—who has been a fixture in the world’s opera houses and on its concert stages for the past quarter-century—will join Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts as a distinguished visiting faculty member, beginning this month. When making the announcement, Juilliard President Damian Woetzel said, “I am honored on behalf of Juilliard to welcome to our faculty the incomparable Denyce Graves. Our vocal students will be so fortunate to henceforth have Denyce’s wisdom and example to draw on, and the school as a whole will be similarly enriched by her presence among us.”

Provost Adam Meyer added, “As longtime admirers of Denyce’s work, we look forward to the depth of experience she will bring to our students as they work toward their professional careers.”

A Washington D.C. native who graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and an Artist Diploma from New England Conservatory of Music, Graves is no stranger to the Lincoln Center campus, having made her memorable debut as Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in 1995, returning a few seasons later to further acclaim as Dalila in Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila. She most recently appeared at the Met in 2018 for the U.S. premiere of Marnie by Nico Muhly (MM ’04, composition), with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (BM ’04, MM ’06, voice) in the title role; Graves played her mother. Her extensive teaching experience includes several years as a distinguished teaching artist at the Peabody Conservatory.

At Juilliard, Graves will be in residence each semester and will also hold coaching and mentoring sessions throughout each term. Her residencies may focus around a performance, a showcase of opera scenes, or a group recital in which she works intensively with a chosen group of singers. (Some of Graves’ residency work may take place remotely, in accordance with public health and safety guidelines.)

“Joining the faculty of Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts is, for me, a career highlight!” Graves said. “I’m thrilled beyond words to have been invited to contribute to the training that Juilliard’s talented young performers receive to launch their careers, and I couldn’t be more excited to join the colleagues and peers already there doing this important work.”