(Credit: Dario Acosta)

VOICExperience has announced that the non-profit organization’s annual gala will take place via its web-based streaming service at 7 p.m. on March 25, 2021.

The fundraiser will be hosted by legendary baritone and VOICE Co-Founder, Sherrill Milnes and will take place online to protect the health and safety of singers and patrons. The gala will include special guest appearances by Thomas Hampson, Mark Delavan, Denyce Graves, James Morris, Fabrizio Melano and Frederica von Stade.

It will also feature performances by VOICE Program alumni including Santiago Ballerini, Jessica Ann Best, Emily Yocum Black, Angela De Venuto, Mariano Gladic, Lauren Jelencovich, Peter Lake, Liz Lang, Paulo Lapa, Meechot Marrero, Tiago Matos, Chad Sonka, Jonathan Walker-VanKuren, Melanie Spector and Hanna Atsedewoin.

Finally, the gala will also present Thomas Hampson with the prestigious 2021 Milnes VOICE Award.

In a statement Co-Founder and Executive Director of VE, Maria Zouves, said, “We are delighted that we will be able to celebrate Thomas Hampson as our 2021 Milnes VOICE awardee this March and that this wonderful gala will support our training programs this year. We know from over 20 years’ experience at VE that just one hour of training can change a young artist’s life. This Gala takes place every year in New York City, but during these times we can span the globe to create an international program for all to enjoy.

“The Milnes VOICE programs have completed several very successful ‘stay at home’ concerts and educational initiatives during 2020 and we are confident that we can deliver a high-quality event to our patrons in New York and beyond via our web-based streaming. In many ways we have embarked on a brave new world for us and our classical artists — building a virtual, eclectic content with performances that translate the VOICE concerts and experiences from stage to computer screen.”