Our Story

Our Mission

THE GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE, EDUCATE AND PERFORM THE MASTER WORKS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS. FURTHER, TO KEEP THE MASTER WORKS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT
CLASSICAL COMPOSERS IN THE MAINSTREAM OF CLASSICAL MUSIC.

IT IS THE GOAL OF THE OPERA THEATRE TO DEVELOP, EDUCATE AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTISTS, VOCALISTS, INSTRUMENTALISTS, COMPOSERS, LIBRETTISTS, AND DIRECTORS TO PRESENT THEIR WORK AS WELL AS PERFORM THE MASTER WORKS OF THE FOUNDING AFRICAN AMERICAN AND
AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS OF EARLIER CENTURIES.

THE GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC AND IT’S ORIGINS IN AFRICAN CULTURE, WHILE MAKING OPERA ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 2016, GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE HAS MADE HISTORY IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND THE STATE OF NEVADA, BY BECOMING THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN FOUNDED OPERA THEATRE VESTED THROUGH OUR MISSION, IN PRESERVING, PROMOTING, EDUCATING AND SHOWCASING THE
LITTLE KNOWN AND RARELY STAGED MASTER WORKS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS.

GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE BRINGS TO LIGHT THESE MASTER WORKS THROUGH OPERA, SYMPHONIC WORKS, ORATORIO AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO MAKING OPERA ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, WHILE TELLING THE STORIES OF THE SIGNIFICANT

CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLASSICAL MUSIC AND IT’S ORIGINS FROM THE TIME OF CREATION.

IN 2023 GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE OPENED A STUDIO IN HENDERSON, NV MAKING THE OPERA COMPANY THE FIRST OF IT’S KIND IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

OUR DEBUT PERFORMANCE IN MARCH WAS MET WITH MUCH PRAISE. WE HAVE SINCE THAT TIME, PARTNERED WITH THE LAS VEGAS CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT, THE NEVADA STATE MUSEUM, JUNETEENTH NEVADA, AND THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SENIOR CENTER .

OUR PARTNERSHIPS IN MICHIGAN INCLUDE, BAGS TO BUTTERFLIES, THE OAKLAND AVENUE URBAN FARM, ST. MATTHEW’S ST. JOSEPH’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE WE HAVE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. THIS PARTNERSHIP ALLOWS US TO FURTHER CARRY OUT OUR MISSION RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC. THE DREAM OF IT’S FOUNDER MARY CARDWELL DAWSON TO CREATE A VENUE, WHICH TODAY REMAINS THE FIRST AND ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN OPERA HOUSE IN THE NATION IN WHICH AFRICAN AMERICANS COULD PRESENT THEIR WORK , WHEN OTHER VENUES OF OPERATIC LITERATURE REFUSED TO ALLOW THEM TO PERFORM. STAY TUNED FOR OUR
PERFORMANCES IN FRONT OF THE OPERA HOUSE AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO THIS DREAM OF COMPLETE RESTORATION TO THE HISTORIC BUILDING INTO FRUITION.

WE HAVE ALSO TAKEN TO THE ROAD PERFORMING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND UTAH.

THROUGH OUR MANY PROGRAMS GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE IS ABLE TO OPEN THE WORLD OF OPERA TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES. SOME SAY THAT OPERA IS A DYING ART AND NO LONGER RELEVANT. HOWEVER WE AT GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE BELIEVE THAT NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE
TRUTH. THE FACT IS THAT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE WHO ENJOY THE MUSIC IS QUITE LARGE.

HOWEVER, FOR MANY OPERA HAS BEEN OUT OF REACH DUE TO COST, LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND EDUCATION ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WHEREVER PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT ANY
BARRIERS TO ACCESS.

GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE ANNUAL REPORT 2024

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

IN THE 2023/2024 SEASON, GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE CONTINUED ITS MISSION TO ENRICH THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE WITH INNOVATIVE OPERA, CONCERT AND ORATORIO PRODUCTIONS THAT INSPIRE, ENGAGE, AND EDUCATE DIVERSE AUDIENCE. OUR MISSION TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE, EDUCATE AND PERFORM THE MASTER WORKS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES WE ACHIEVED IN PERFORMANCE, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINBILITY. THIS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OUTLINES THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD.

MISSION STATEMENT:

THE GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO PRESERVE, PROMOTE, EDUCATE AND PERFORM THE MASTERWORKS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS. IT IS THE GOAL OF THE OERA THEATRE TO DEVLOP, EDUCATE AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN
ARTISTS, VOCALISTS, INSTRUMENTALISTS, COMPOSERS, LIBRETTISTS AND DIRECTORS TO PRESENT THEIR WORK AS WELL AS PERFORM THE MASTERWORKS OF THE FOUNDING AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS OF EARLIER CENTURIES BEGINNING WITH THE CREATION OF MANKIND.

THE GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC AND its ORIGINS IN AFRICAN CULTURE, WHILE MAKING OPERA ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

ARTIST HIGHLIGHTS:

MUSIC AS A HEALER:

THE GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE 2023/2024 SEASON OPENED ON
OCTOBER 24, 2023 WITH A REQUIEM PERFORMANCE AT
FORT LINCOLN, IN BLADENSBURG, MD.
THE REQUIEM ORATORIO WAS ARRANGED BY CLAUDIA MERRILL, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.

OPERA ROOTS:

NOVEMBER 2023-FEBRUARY 16, 2024
THE GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE’S PARTICIPATED IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY CHALLENGE. THIS PROJECT WAS COLLABORATION WITH THE LAS VEGAS BLACK CAUCUS AND THE CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THE TELEVISED COMPETITON WAS PRESENTED ON FEBRUARY 26, 2024 ON
LAS VEGAS PBS.
GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE PROVIDED THE QUESTIONS FOR THE COMPETITION AROUND AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC.

DECEMBER 7, 2023
GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE PRESENTED A MASTER CLASS AND SHORT PRESENTATION ON THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AND ITS ORIGINS IN AFRICAN CULTURE. IN ADDITIONAL TO THIS GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE PERFORMED AT THE SCHOOL’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT.
THIS PERFORMANCE TOOK PLACE IN ALEXANDRIA, VA.

MARCH 1, 2024
GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE BEGIN WORK WITH THE JUNETEENTH NEVADA COMMITTEE PREPARING A YOUNG WOMEN’S ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM AT THE MISS JUNETEENTH PAGEANT.
CLAUDIA MERRILL DIRECTED THE ENSEMBLE AS WELL CONDUCTING MASTER CLASSES IN VOCAL PERFORMANCE AND THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO CLASSICAL MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES.

COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES:

MARCH 15, 2024
A CONCERT OF ARIAS, ART SONGS AND SPIRITUALS PERFORMED AT
THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR SENIOR CENTER. LAS VEGAS, NV

APRIL 26, 2024
A CONCERT OF ARIAS AND ART SONGS PERFORMED AT THE
BOULDER CITY, NV SENIOR CENTER. BOULDER CITY, NV

JUNE 1, 2024
MISS JUNETEENTH PAGEANT
PERFORMANCE WITH THE YOUNG WOMEN’S ENSEMBLE AND
CLAUDIA MERRILL,SOLOIST. WEST LAS VEGAS LIBRARY, LAS
VEGAS, NV.

JULY 28, 2024
CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC, ARIAS, ART SONGS AND SPIRITUALS.
HENDERSON UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HENDERSON, NV

AUGUST 18, 2024
CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC, ART SONGS AND ARIAS. HENDERSON
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HENDERSON, NV

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
THE 2024/2025 OPERA SEASON OPENED WITH
THE PREMEIRE OF THE OPERA WITNESS: FOUR MOURNING MOTHERS.
WRITTEN, COMPOSED, PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY
CLAUDIA MERRILL, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.
BAGS TO BUTTERFLY HOUSE GARDEN, DETROIT, MI.

DECEMBER 7, 2024
A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: CONCERT HENDERSON UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HENDERSON, NV. THIS PERFORMANCE INCLUDED OUR YOUTH ARTISTS, CHOIR AND
SOLOISTS.

DECEMBER 23, 2024
MUSIC AS A HEALER
CHRISTMAS CONCERT OF CHRISTMAS FAVORITES AND
ARIAS, ART SONGS, AND SPIRITUALS.
PERFORMED AT MT. OLYMPUS REHABILITATION CENTER,
SALT LAKE CITY, MILLCREEK, UTAH.

OUR PERFORMANCES WERE WELL RECEIVED BY ALL AND WE RECEIVED CRITICAL ACCLAIM. IN ADDITON TO THIS, GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE RECEIVED TWO
COMMENDATIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES SENATE BY SENATOR JACKY ROSEN.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW:

REVENUE:
TOTAL INCOME FOR 2024: $2,177.03
IN KIND DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS: $475,000.00
ALL PERFORMANCES EXCEPT FOR 3 WERE FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND
THE ARTISTS AND SOLOISTS DONATED THEIR TIME AND TALENT.
THERE WERE NO GOVERNMENT GRANTS RECEIEVED.

EXPENDITURES:
ARTISTIC AND PRODUCTION COSTS: IN KIND DONATIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS: $1,321.03
OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION: IN KIND
WE ENDED THE YEAR WITH A FUND BALANCE OF: $856.00

THE OPERA ROOTS PROGRAM REACHED OVER 200 AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS WHERE THEY LEARNED THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AS WELL AS PERFOMANCE TECHNIQUES AND GAINED PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE OPERA COMPANY.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
THROUGH OUR PERFORMANCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE REACHED OVER 1,000 PEOPLE FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO THE ENTIRE WORLD WIDE COMMUNITY, THROUGH LIVE PERFORMANCE AND OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. IN NOVEMBER GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE OPENED IT’S FIRST
VOICE STUDIO, OFFERING PRIVATE VOICE TO INDIVIDUALS AGES 13 THROUGH ADULTHOOD, AS WELL OFFERING THESE STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM WITH THE OPERA COMPANY.

FINAL OVERVIEW:

OVER THIS PAST YEAR GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE HAS MADE HISTORY IN THE STATE OF NEVADA BY ESTABLISHING THE FIRST EVER AFRICAN AMERICAN FOUNDED OPERA COMPANY AS WELL THE ONLY OPERA COMPANY IN THE STATE SPECIALIZING THE PERFORMANCE, EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE

MASTERWORKS OF AFRIAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DESCENT CLASSICAL COMPOSERS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE IS ALSO ONE OF THE FEW OPERA COMPANIES IS THE WORLD TO BE FEMALE FOUNDED AND OPERATED. I SAY THIS IS GRAND NEWS.

FUTURE GOALS:

GRACE CITY OPERA THEATRE HAS OBTAINED IT’S FIRST GRANT FROM THE CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT OF $1,500.00 FOR 2025, AND AN ADDITONAL $100,000 IN IN KIND DONATION OF VENUE, TECHNICAL STAFF AND INSTRUMENTS, MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS.

THERE WILL BE THREE PERFORMANCES BEGIINNING IN FEBRUARY, APRIL AND JUNE 2025.

NEW PRODUCTIONS:

NEW PRODUCTIONS:

WE PLAN TO STAGE TWO NEW PRODUCTIONS. INCREASE OUR DIGITAL PRESENCE WITH THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. CONDUCT A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE DONORS AND SPONSORS.

CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE AND WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE, HONORING ITS FOUNDER AND OPERA SINGER, MARY CARDWELL DAWSON, THE LAS VEGAS CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT, THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SENIOR CENTER , BAGS TO BUTTERFLIES AND ASSEDO DESIGNS. WE WILL
CONTINUE FORGING MORE PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN OUR JOURNEY.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, VOLUNTEER STAFF, DONORS AND SPONSORS FOR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT. YOUR SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY HAS MADE THIS YEAR A SUCCESS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS JOURNEY AND MOVING FORWARD LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY.

THIS REPORT IS RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY
CLAUDIA MERRILL, M.Ed
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER