About GeDeane
A native of Bay Springs, MS, mezzo-soprano GeDeane Graham is known for her rich low range and refulgent top voice. This past summer, Graham returned to the role of Annie (Porgy and Bess) in performances with Des Moines Metro Opera. In the 2022-2023 season, she will join Christine Goerke and Alan Held in Detroit Opera’s Die Walküre (Schwertleite), sing the mezzo-soprano solo in Verdi’s Requiem with the Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra (Indonesia), and perform in concert with Detroit Opera (Aida). Graham will also return to Art Song Colorado (“Voices of the African Diaspora”), where she made her concert debut in the spring of 2022 in collaboration with Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Previous notable performances include Peter Grimes (Auntie) and Albert Herring (Mrs. Herring ), as well as scenes from La favorite (Leonora), Béatrice et Bénédict (Ursule), Samson et Dalila (Dalila), and Suor Angelica (La Zia Principessa).
As a dramatic-yet-lyrical mezzo-soprano, Graham has gained attention in several national and international competitions. She received the Audience Favorite award at the Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition, and has been a finalist for the George Shirley Vocal Competition, MiOpera Vocal Competition, D’Angelo Vocal Competition, and Partners of the Arts competition, among others.
In May of 2022, Graham had the pleasure of partnering with Michigan State University, WKAR, and PBS to support the Black Lives Matter movement and promote justice and equality for all. This project was close to her heart, as it allowed her to honor a childhood friend who was murdered during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. Graham is a huge advocate for and performer of music of the African American Diaspora and passionate about advancing social justice and equity through music. She has been invited to join the administration board of the George Shirley International Vocal Competition in 2023. In 2019, she toured with the American Spiritual Ensemble for their 25th Anniversary and later joined Stacey Gibbs’ ensemble, Just Music. She was the recipient of the Cleveland Foundation’s A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship, in recognition of her commitment to perserving the singing of Negro spirituals through performance and/or teaching. Graham commissioned two pieces, which were partially funded by a Michigan State University Running Start award, to represent black culture and herself as an artist that will premiere in 2022.
In addition to her work as a performer, Graham is the co-founder of Opera Unique, a new company dedicated to creating opportunities, providing a creative space for musicians, and breaking barriers for those who do not fit into the traditional career track. As an educator, she has taught private voice and music appreciation classes as a community teacher in Battle Creek, MI. Her students have gone on to other music programs, competitions, and young artist training programs. Her philosophy of teaching is to “not teach perfection in oneself, but rather obtain efficiency and consistency, all while telling a beautiful story uniquely and authentically.”
Graham is currently a DMA candidate at Michigan State University, where she studies under the tutelage of Jane Bunnell. She received a Performance Diploma at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and a Master of Music degree from Michigan State University. A multifaceted artist, she enjoys making people feel like the best versions of themselves through her makeup artistry and hair skills. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
