The Denyce Graves Foundation Appoints New Music Director 

Pierre Vallet, an acclaimed pianist, lecturer, and conductor, will assume the role

Founded in 2021 by the GRAMMY Award-winning opera singer Denyce Graves, the Denyce Graves Foundation (DGF) is a nonprofit celebrating pioneering musicians, educators, and composers of color through community engagement programs, concerts, career development, and more.

DGF has now appointed the French conductor Pierre Vallet as its new Music Director. A graduate of L’Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, Vallet is also a pianist, lecturer, and guest teacher at world-leading institutions, plus has guest conducted at many opera houses worldwide. 

Alongside his work with the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, he is a regular guest at the Aspen Music Festival, Washington Young Artist program, Steans Music Institute at the Ravinia Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, Wolf Trap Opera Company, Houston Grand Opera Studio, and Opera Hong Kong.

Additionally, Vallet is a member of the Vocal Arts faculty at The Juilliard School, which is one of DGF’s partner cohort institutions. 

The DGF has also held partnerships with The Smithsonian Institution, Metropolitan Opera, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, plus some of America’s historically black colleges and conservatories. 

In his new role at DGF, Vallet will help strengthen the Foundation’s aims for greater inclusion and diversity in the arts — championing hidden musical figures of the past, while uplifting exceptional young artists from all backgrounds. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Pierre to our team,” said Founder and Artistic Director Denyce Graves, according to PR Newswire. “His extensive experience as a conductor at some of the world’s most esteemed opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, L'Opéra National de Paris, The Dallas Opera, and Göteborg Opera, to name a few, will be a tremendous asset. His commitment to celebrating the contributions of underrepresented artists, combined with his remarkable background, positions us to inspire and empower the next generation of artists while ensuring their voices are heard.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Pierre to The Denyce Graves Foundation, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team,” added Executive Director Terry Eberhardt. “His innovative vision and dedication to nurturing artistic talent will greatly enhance our programs and help us prepare our artists for the future. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our students and the future of our initiatives.”

“I’m passionate about mentoring and nurturing young musicians of all backgrounds. DGF’s mission to make classical music more inclusive will ensure the vitality of this art form for generations to come,” Vallet expressed. “I am honored to join Denyce Graves and be a part of this vision.”

“Pierre’s dedication to the arts aligns seamlessly with our Foundation’s mission,” noted Board Chair Marc Chazaud. “As a leading figure in the industry, his esteemed reputation positions him to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our foundation. We believe that his leadership and vision will not only expand our initiatives but also profoundly impact our young artists, helping to nurture and develop the talent that will define the next generation. We look forward to the innovative programs he will create and the lasting influence he will have on their artistic journeys.”