Opera for Peace

12/20/2025

Out now ! 💫

12/17/2025

Excited to share 's latest piece on ! 📰🤩

The article explores how the organization was born from the desire to nurture a new generation of opera singers — especially in countries where opera is not seen as a viable career and where resources are often limited, offering a glimpse into the vision behind Opera for Peace.

A must-read for anyone who believes in the power of to inspire, empower, and cross borders - thank you for this spotlight! ✒️

12/15/2025

🕊🎶 "Wild sings the bird of the heart in the forests of our lives." — Mary Oliver 🕊🎶

This December we had the great privilege of introducing our Opera for Peace Emerging Artist Forooz Razavi & — two remarkable Sopranos from Iran 🇮🇷 and Afghanistan 🇦🇫 — at a special evening hosted by our partner BGL BNP Paribas in Luxembourg.

Forooz reminded us why art is so essential:
"Music exists to serve people. It carries identity, history, and culture. Through art, we can spread peace and meaning […] Sing not just to entertain, but with intention."

Her words capture the transformative power of music: when sung with purpose, a voice becomes a force for change.

The evening also featured a profound dialogue on hope, resilience, freedom, and women’s rights with , Afghan author, former diplomat, and President & Founder of .

Our deepest thanks to for her warm hospitality, and congratulations to Forooz, Sofia, and Paul Beynet on the piano for their unforgettable performance, as well as to Michel El Ghoul for his thoughtful stage direction.

12/11/2025

✨🎵 From Voice Lessons to the x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025 - 's Story🎵✨

At just 20 years old, Ella Vaughn is proving that passion and persistence can truly open big doors. This past November, Ella took part in our Opera for Peace × The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025 in Washington, D.C., where she participated in masterclasses, workshops and performance opportunities at the French Embassy and Washington National Opera — an experience she described as both humbling and transformative.

A broken wrist at circus camp led Ella to pivot from guitar and piano to voice lessons, and over time her focus shifted from musical theatre to classical singing. She says that learning classical technique “felt like what I’m supposed to be doing,” and this dedication helped her secure her place among the Academy’s select participants.

Our Opera for Peace US Academy 2025, presented in collaboration with the Denyce Graves Foundation, Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artists Program, French Embassy in the U.S., Consulate of France in Washington DC, and , sponsored by Fondation BNP Paribas, was a tuition-free, fully-funded week-long intensive Academy that brought emerging voices from around the world together for masterclasses, coaching, and professional development in Washington, D.C. — with luminaries like Denyce Graves and Renée Fleming, to name just two, leading sessions and offering mentorship.

Ella was the youngest singer at the academy, yet she thrived, gaining confidence, insight, and a deep appreciation for the craft alongside more seasoned peers. She also reflected on singing repertoire connected to artists of color and how that has deepened her understanding of the tradition she now carries forward.

What makes Ella’s journey even more compelling? Her belief that opera isn’t just about technique — it’s about storytelling, connection, and creating space for diverse voices in classical music. She’s already thinking deeply about her artistic future, and we can’t wait to see where her talent leads next! 🌍✨

📖 Read more about her remarkable experience over at — published by graduate journalism students at American University’s School of Communication — in their article “Twenty years old and performing on big stages”:

https://thewash.org/2025/12/02/twenty-years-old-and-performing-on-big-stages/

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12/08/2025

The inaugural US Academy 2025 of x The Denyce Graves Foundation has come to a succesful end! 🥳 This trailblazing project couldn't have been possible without the participation, passion, and dedication of our team, collaborators and sponsors, which is why today we want to thank:

🔸️ , in particular the legendary Denyce Graves, and
🔸️ Washington National Opera led by and the Cafritz Young Artists Program
🔸️ Our amazing sponsor Fondation BNP Paribas
🔸️ French Embassy in the U.S., Consulate of France in Washington D.C., Monsieur l’Ambassadeur & Agnès Vonder Mühll
🔸️ , Lynda Frenois & Yann Le Merdy

Our wonderful masterclass leaders and coaches:
🔸️
🔸️ Renée Fleming
🔸️ OfP Co-Founder & Artistic and External Relations Consultant Jenna Wolf
🔸️ OfP Co-Founder & Artistic and Musical Director Kamal Khan
🔸️ OfP Stage, Art & Production Design Director Michel El Ghoul
🔸️ Spencer Stuart
🔸️
🔸️ , Jr.
🔸️ Tamar Sanikidze
🔸️

For their excellent news coverage:
🔸️NBC Washington
Media:

Until the next Opera for Peace Academy! ✨️

📸 Alpha One Media & Emilie Nguyen

12/05/2025

📺 Thrilled to see NBC Washington once more featuring the x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025! 🤩

In the clip, the iconic Denyce Graves speaks beautifully about our powerful collaboration and her passion for inspiring the next generation of opera artists.

Our US Academy 2025 was a collaboration between Opera for Peace, The Denyce Graves Foundation, Cafritz Young Artists Program of Washington National Opera, and kindly supported by Fondation BNP Paribas, French Embassy in the U.S., Consulate of France in Washington D.C., and Washington D.C.

12/02/2025

✨️[US Academy 2025] ✨ This year, we had the privilege of supporting a new group of inspiring emerging artists at the Opera for Peace x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025, as they explored not only their artistic potential, but their power to shape the world around them.

As in each and every Academy of ours, the mission was clear: to guide emerging talents in refining their craft and in embracing their roles as Citizen Artists - creative leaders, social entrepreneurs, and ambassadors for peace, and collaboration, with the week of intense learning culminating in a wonderful Gala Concert, this time at La Maison Française - Villa Albertine, Washington D.C.

Watching these singers grow in purpose, artistry, and global awareness was a reminder of why the Arts matter: they connect us, empower us, and create space for dialogue and understanding.

Here’s to a new generation of voices ready to make meaningful change - on stage and beyond:

🔹️ - Tenor, Lithuania
🔹️ - Bass, Argentina
🔹️ - Soprano, France
🔹️ - Soprano, South Korea
🔹️ - Mezzo-soprano, USA
🔹️ - Tenor, Mexico
🔹️ - Baritone, Mexico
🔹️ - Soprano, China
🔹️ - Soprano, USA

Our US Academy 2025 was a collaboration between Opera for Peace, The Denyce Graves Foundation, Cafritz Young Artists Program of Washington National Opera, French Embassy in the U.S., Consulate of France in Washington D.C., and Washington D.C., where these talented singers participated in an intensive period of professional development, cultural exchange, and world-class artistic mentorship.

Thank you to our sponsor Fondation BNP Paribas for supporting our fourth academy.

📸 Alpha One Media & Emilie Nguyen

11/26/2025

What an unforgettable day at the Opera for Peace x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025 with legendary mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves leading a masterclass filled with wisdom, warmth, and transformative artistry!

With her signature grace, she reminded us that the heart of great singing lies not only in technique, but in true communication — in daring to express who we uniquely are. Her guidance challenged participants to step beyond perfection and into authenticity, to let their individuality ignite the stage and captivate audiences from the very first note.

A masterclass that didn’t just shape voices, but reshaped perspectives - grateful for the inspiration, the generosity, and the reminder that the most powerful instrument we have is ourselves. ✨️🎶

Our US Academy 2025 was a collaboration between Opera for Peace, The Denyce Graves Foundation, Cafritz Young Artists Program of Washington National Opera and kindly supported by Fondation BNP Paribas, French Embassy in the U.S., and Washington, D.C.

📸 Alpha One Media Group & Emilie Nguyen

11/18/2025

An inspiring masterclass at the x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025 by none other than Opera for Peace Co-Founder and Artistic & Musical Director Kamal Khan! 🤩

Kamal contextualized modern vocal technique and interpretation through the lens of opera's long, evolving history. His ability to connect historical practice with contemporary artistry offered our Academy Artists a deeper approach to their performance - a valuable reminder that understanding tradition can elevate our work in the present.

Our US Academy 2025 is a collaboration between Opera for Peace, The Denyce Graves Foundation, Cafritz Young Artists Program of Washington National Opera, and kindly supported by Fondation BNP Paribas, French Embassy in the U.S., and Washington D.C.

📸 Antoine Sanfuentes

11/14/2025

What a great news piece by covering our x US Academy 2025 masterclass with the amazing ! 🤩📺

11/14/2025

Take a look at NBC4 Washington covering the Opera for Peace x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025 masterclass with the amazing Renée Fleming! 🤩📺

NBC4 Washington covering the masterclass of Renée Fleming at the Opera for Peace x Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025.

11/14/2025

What a way to kick off the first x The Denyce Graves Foundation US Academy 2025 by welcoming the legendary Renée Fleming for this powerful masterclass! Our Artists had the unique chance to share in her interpretive refinement that define her professional artistry of the highest level.

In this collaboration between Opera for Peace, The Denyce Graves Foundation, Cafritz Young Artists Program of Washington National Opera, and kindly supported by Fondation BNP Paribas, French Embassy in the U.S., and Washington D.C, our Artists can look forward to other great masterclasses and performance opportunities this week! 🌟

📸 Alpha One Media Group