Celebratory Concert to Culminate Three-Day Residency on November 1 at Harrison Opera House
Hampton Roads, Richmond, Fairfax, VA (October 5, 2026) – Virginia Opera is proud to announce “Voices Forward” A Collaborative Vocal Arts Residency, a groundbreaking partnership with The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF), Norfolk State University, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra designed to expand access, equity, and professional pathways for emerging vocal artists.
Taking place October 30 through November 1, 2026, Voices Forward will bring together aspiring singers, educators, and industry professionals for an immersive residency focused on artistic excellence, professional development, mentorship, and community engagement.
Building on the successful launch of The Denyce Graves Foundation’s Generational Voices program, the initiative advances DGF’s commitment to identifying and refining generational talent while establishing meaningful connections with industry leaders, storied artistic institutions, and the communities they serve. “We have been fortunate to partner with Adam Turner on previous occasions with DGF,” said Denyce Graves, distinguished opera singer, director, teacher, and DGF’s founder. “We are so grateful to create this wonderful collaboration with our Generational Voices fellows. They will gain invaluable experience and insight that will change them forever. Thank you, Adam and Virginia Opera!”
“Voices Forward represents the power of collaboration to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of promising talent,” said Adam Turner, Virginia Opera’s Artistic Director & Chief Conductor. “By bringing together Virginia Opera, The Denyce Graves Foundation, Norfolk State University, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, we’re providing emerging young artists with mentorship, training, and performance experiences that will have a lasting impact on their career trajectories.”
A distinguishing feature of “Voices Forward” is the involvement of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, providing The Denyce Graves Foundation’s Generational Voices with the rare opportunity to perform alongside a professional orchestra. This experience significantly enhances their artistic development and prepares them for future professional engagements.
The program will conclude with a celebratory concert on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:30 PM at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. The performance will feature residency participants performing iconic operatic selections, highlights from Broadway, as well as selections by distinguished American composers Adolphus Hailstork and Damien Geter. Together with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, this concert will celebrate the artistic growth and achievements realized throughout the residency.
In addition, “Voices Forward” intentionally centers Norfolk State University as a key institutional partner, recognizing the excellence of its vocal arts program while expanding participation in the national Generational Voices network. NSU’s Concert Choir will be featured in a solo showcase during the November 1 concert, as well as have the opportunity to perform operatic selections alongside members of the Virginia Opera Chorus and Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Virginia Opera and DGF also anticipate expanding concert participation to include students from Elizabeth City State University.
Community members are invited to attend this special performance. While admission is free, reservations will be encouraged due to limited seating availability.
Through “Voices Forward,” The Denyce Graves Foundation’s Generational Voices will gain invaluable performance experience, expanded professional networks, and practical tools for sustaining careers in the vocal arts. The initiative also strengthens partnerships across Virginia while advancing national efforts to cultivate a more inclusive and sustainable future for classical music.
For more information or to reserve seats for the November 1 concert, visit vaopera.org or contact Virginia Opera at 866-673-7282.
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About Virginia Opera
Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation and is the only company to perform regularly in three separate main stage venues: the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, and Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Organized in 1974, Virginia Opera is respected nationwide for the identification and presentation of the finest young artists, for the musical and dramatic integrity of its productions, and for the ingenuity and variety of its education and outreach programs.
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About The Denyce Graves Foundation
The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) advances the next generation of artists while preserving and elevating overlooked stories and voices. Through its three signature programs, Shared Voices, Hidden Voices, and Generational Voices, DGF creates pathways for education, artistic development, and professional opportunity while connecting outstanding artists with leading institutions, industry professionals, and communities. Together, these programs honor the contributions of the past, invest in extraordinary talent, and build meaningful connections that strengthen the future of the arts.