Graves sang in the world premiere of Terence Blanchard's and Michael Cristofer's boxing opera, Champion with the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. In 2014, a recording of We Shall Overcome arranged by composer Nolan Williams, Jr. and featuring Graves was among several works of art, including the poem A Brave and Startling Truth by Maya Angelou, sent to space on the first test flight of the spacecraft Orion. On September 25, 2020, Graves sang at the US Capitol as her friend Ruth Bader Ginsburg's casket was lying in state. Ginsburg was a devoted fan of opera. On November 22, 2022, she sang the role of Sally in the stage premiere of Kevin Puts's opera The Hours at the Metropolitan Opera. The performance of December 10 was video-cast as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series. Personal life First husband (1990-2006) - David Perry (born 1950), a classical guitarist and operatic singer who also became her business partner. Daughter Ella (born 2004) Second husband (since September 2009) - Robert Montgomery, transplant surgeon. Recognition In 2017, Graves was honored by The Washington Performing Arts with the Ambassador of the Arts Award. In 2019, Graves received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Dr. Ben Carson. References External links (archived) Interview with Denyce Graves, August 7, 1997 1964 births 20th-century African-American women singers 21st-century African-American women singers American operatic mezzo-sopranos Living people New England Conservatory alumni Oberlin Conservatory of Music alumni People from Bethesda, Maryland Singers from Maryland Singers from Washington, D.C. Classical musicians from Washington, D.C. Voice teachers Women music educators People from Bellevue (Washington, D.C.) African-American women opera singers