DGF Programs

Shared Voices

The Award winning Shared Voices program is the most forward facing and the flagship program of DGF- it builds on the longstanding connections between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Conservatories, to create a classical vocal arts landscape that reflects the diverse world in which we live. The program is a consortium of schools that are committed to learning with and from each other. The program provides exchanges between students from both Conservatory and HBCUs to further enhance the learning opportunities for students, faculty and administration. 

HBCUs and conservatories each bring distinct strengths—whether it’s the cultural richness and community-centered approach of HBCUs or the rigorous, highly specialized training found at conservatories. By learning from one another, both can enrich their programs, broaden their reach, and create more inclusive and diverse musical spaces.

Hidden Voices

DGF began with the extraordinary story of singer and entrepreneur Mary Cardwell Dawson.​

Until recently, she was unknown to many (including those in the classical music world), and her successful, all-Black opera company—that she founded in 1941—was all but lost to the annals of history. Dawson studied at the New England Conservatory of Music (Denyce Graves would attend the same institution, generations later.) Dawson was an accomplished singer, pianist, teacher, and eventually, impresaria. She had dreams of singing opera in the major houses of the United States. However, her country wasn’t ready for people of color to perform on these stages. Her response was to form the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC). It was bold and successful, performing to mixed audiences and lasting over 20 years. 

DGF's research has uncovered many more trailblazing “Hidden Voices” like Mary Cardwell Dawson in American classical music, all of whom inspire us to both give back and pay it forward.

With programs and initiatives that support the current needs of historically marginalized communities in classical music today, we honor the stories of those who came before us and push for equity and inclusion on a systemic level.