Denyce Graves Foundation’s Harvest Moon Gala Celebrates the Power of Music, Legacy and the Arts

The Denyce Graves Foundation’s Harvest Moon Gala, chaired by Barbara Tober and Ann Gottlieb, brought together an evening of artistic celebration and cultural distinction, with Emmy Award-winning 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts serving as emcee. A surprise performance by legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon added a special touch to the festivities, creating a memorable highlight dedicated to honoring artistic excellence and preserving the cultural legacy of the performing arts.

Music, dance, philanthropy, and the performing arts came together at New York City’s iconic Guastavino’s. The black-tie evening honored ballet trailblazer Misty Copeland, renowned conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and philanthropist Ann Ziff, recognizing their contributions to the arts and their commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.

DGF founder and celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves welcomed guests to an evening centered on the foundation’s mission: supporting emerging singers, preserving overlooked musical histories, and ensuring that underrepresented artists receive their rightful place in the cultural record. “At DGF, our work is about opening doors, discovering extraordinary artists, nurturing their gifts, and preserving the stories that belong to all of us, and making sure that the richness of the American musical experience is fully seen and remembered because voice does more than make music. A voice carries history. It carries possibility. And when we make room for more voices, we change the sound of the future,” Graves said.

Misty Copeland: Opening Doors for the Next Generation

Misty Copeland received the inaugural Mary Cardwell Dawson Humanitarian Award, named for the pioneering Black opera impresario who founded the National Negro Opera Company. For Copeland, the honor reflected the importance of recognizing the women who paved the way and ensuring their stories reach the next generation of artists. “I kept thinking about what discovering someone who could have helped you feel less alone along the way would feel like,” Copeland said. She spoke of Raven Wilkinson, the first Black woman to dance with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, whose example helped shape her own journey. “Denyce finding Mary, me finding Raven brought us to a similar place, wanting the next generation to know these women sooner than we did and to understand that they are part of history, too.”

American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Calvin Royal III also paid tribute to Copeland’s enduring influence on the art form, noting how her groundbreaking career has helped the ballet world more fully recognize the individuality, artistry, and humanity of its dancers. Through her achievements and advocacy, Copeland has challenged longstanding conventions and expanded perceptions of who belongs on the ballet stage. “Misty understood that visibility carries responsibility. Her achievements became advocacy. She used her extraordinary reach to make the path wider,” Royal said

Yannick Nézet-Séguin: A Game Changer in Music

The Game Changer Award was presented to Yannick Nézet-Séguin in recognition of his work as a conductor, which reflects the unifying power of music and the importance of broadening the classical repertoire. “Music for me is about expressing love. It’s about expressing what we have in common, not what we have that appears to be different,” Nézet-Séguin said. Reflecting on his role as a conductor, Nézet-Séguin spoke of his commitment to creating musical experiences where everyone feels heard, welcomed, and understood. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration among musicians and cultural institutions to ensure that composers such as Margaret Bonds and Florence Price receive the recognition they deserve alongside their contemporaries. “I feel like I’m only at the beginning of what I want to change in that game,” he said.

Ann Ziff: A Living Legend of Philanthropy

Philanthropist Ann Ziff received the Living Legend Award in recognition of her longstanding dedication to the arts, particularly the Metropolitan Opera, an institution she holds dear. Reflecting on her philanthropic journey, Ziff expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support the people and organizations that have shaped her life. “I’ve been very lucky in my life to be fortunate enough to be able to help people who are not as fortunate as I have been and to help organizations that I love and cherish, none more than my beloved Metropolitan Opera,” she remarked. Ziff also thanked Graves and the foundation, acknowledging Graves’s enduring commitment to supporting singers and advancing their careers. Accepting the honor with humility, she emphasized that the recognition was not simply a celebration of past achievements, but a renewed pledge to the causes closest to her heart. “I accept this honor with great pride, not to celebrate my accomplishments, but to promise that I will continue to strive and support the organizations and causes that I love,”.

Peter Gelb, general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, offered a warm and humorous tribute to Ziff, highlighting her nurturing presence within the opera community. From intimate cast parties on her Fifth Avenue terrace to thoughtfully wrapped, production-themed chocolate bars, he described the personal touches that make her so beloved by performers. “In the sometimes rough-and-tumble world of grand opera, some might say that Ann is the antidote to me. I wouldn’t disagree,” Gelb remarked.

Marianne Williamson Makes a Case for More Art

Author Marianne Williamson brought another perspective to the evening, reflecting on the enduring importance of the arts in challenging times. “Art is not something to be set aside at a time like this,” Williamson said. “When the old way says we need more bombs, let us say no, we need more ballet. When the old ways say we need more brute force, let us say no, we need more music.” Her remarks underscored the gala’s broader message: that artistic expression, cultural understanding and creativity remain essential to the human experience.

An Evening of Extraordinary Performances

The musical program featured acclaimed performers Susan Graham, John Holiday and Joshua Bell, alongside young artists participating in the foundation’s programs. The evening culminated in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Make Our Garden Grow, with Brandon Jovanovich and members of DGF joining the performers onstage for the finale.

Guests departed with commemorative gift bags featuring thoughtful, personalized tributes to the evening’s honorees. The gift bags were two custom nail polish shades, “Rose in Cavalier” and “Rhapsody in Lilac,” inspired by Nézet-Séguin; a signature perfume for Copeland; and a succulent for Ziff, each a distinctive memento of the celebration.

Notable Guests

Among those attending were DGF board members Marc Chazaud, Aaron Urbanek, Clyde Jones, Robert Montgomery and James Muhammad, alongside Adrienne Arsht, Jason Robert Brown, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Michele Oka Doner and Fred Doner, Olivia Flatto, Susan Gutfreund, John Holiday, Ann Kline, Karen Slack, B. Michael, Constantine Orbelian, Ailyn Pérez and Andrew Martin Weber.

A Mission That Extends Beyond the Stage

The Harvest Moon Gala reflected the work of the Denyce Graves Foundation, a nonprofit organization operating at the intersection of social justice, American history and the arts. Founded by opera singer Denyce Graves-Montgomery, DGF brings overlooked musical figures into the historical record, supports emerging artists, reimagines underrepresented histories and creates opportunities for the next generation. Through partnerships with cultural institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, conservatories and schools of music, the foundation works to broaden whose voices are heard and whose stories are remembered.

Through heartfelt tributes and memorable performances, the evening celebrated not only the legacy of musical greats but also the importance of shaping a more inclusive future for the arts. By honoring the voices that have transformed the cultural landscape, the event underscored the enduring power of music to inspire new generations of artists and ensure a wider range of stories and talents take center stage.

For more information, visit The Denyce Graves Foundation ⁠

Photos By Diane Kronstad and PMC/Getty