The Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) has announced that will honor ballerina Misty Copeland, Metropolitan Opera Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and Metropolitan Opera Board Chairman Ann Ziff at its annual Harvest Moon Gala, emceed by Emmy Award-winning journalist and 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts.

The black-tie evening, held at Guastavino’s, will benefit the Foundation’s mission of supporting emerging singers and honoring artists overlooked by American history.

In a statement Graves said, “Our Harvest Moon Gala will be extraordinary, but more importantly, it will be an evening with a purpose to celebrate the artists and stories that have too often been neglected and to ensure that those voices are heard, studied, performed, and carried forward.”

The evening include performances by stars Susan Graham, Erin Morley, John Holiday, Brandon Jovanovich, Joshua Bell, and more. Adding to the evening will also be Tony Award winning director Kenny Leon and Author and political activist Marianne Williamson.

There will also be young artists connected to DGF’s programs.

Barbara Tober, co-chair of the gala along with Ann Gottlieb said, “I first heard Denyce’s students at my farm in Millbrook. It was a revelation to see how she was training these young people from all over the world to really not only sing, but to appreciate the magnificence of opera.”

Following cocktails and dinner, the evening will feature live and silent auctions to support the Foundation’s work.

The Denyce Graves Foundation seeks to expand the public’s understanding of the rich, multicultural history of classical music by bringing the stories of our nation’s hidden musical figures to light.

You can learn more about the foundation on our podcast with Denyce Graves here: