Lift Every Voice

Bethesda, Md., September, 2025 – Cantate proudly announces the 2025-2026 cohort of Lift Every Voice Fellows: Ayanna Freelon Coleman, soprano; Marcela Jones Moreno, mezzo-soprano; and Lysle Follette IV, baritone. Cantate is grateful to the partner individuals and organizations that have pledged to support this year’s cohort through coaching, masterclasses, and access to rehearsals and performances:

Baltimore Choral Arts
Mo. Blake Clark
Cathedral Choral Society
City Choir of Washington
Dr. Erin Freeman
Dr. Edward Maclary
Dr. Lloyd Mallory
Mo. Giovanni Reggioli
Mo. Leo Wanenchak

Oratorio Masterclass with Giovanni Reggioli
Wednesday, March 25, at 7:15 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
4001 Franklin Street, Kensington, MD 20895

Join us for the first Lift Every Voice Oratorio Fellowship event of 2026! On the evening of March 25, renowned international conductor, vocal coach, and music educator Giovanni Reggioli offers his expertise in a masterclass on oratorio to the 25-26 cohort of Cantate fellows: soprano Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, mezzo-soprano Marcela Jones-Moreno, and baritone Lysle Follette, IV. Come hear these extraordinary singers and learn about oratorio repertoire, style, context, and tradition as well as the singer/conductor relationship. Join the artists after the event for a light reception. While admission is free, donations to the LEV program are warmly welcomed.

Reserve FREE Masterclass Tickets

Meet The Clinician: Giovanni Reggioli

Maestro Giovanni Reggioli is a critically acclaimed opera and orchestral conductor whose influence extends over five continents. Among his many credits are positions at Teatro alla Scala, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Accademia Guiseppe Verdi, Orchestra da Camara di Firenze, the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, New York City Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Opera de Québec, Orchestra Symphonique deQuébec, the National Arts Center Orchestra of Ottawa, Ópera de Caracas, Ópera de Colombia, the New National Theater of Tokyo, Opera Australia, Queensland Opera, Orchestra Victoria, and Queensland Symphony Orchestra.


Trained in both conducting and piano performance at the Juilliard School, Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini, and Salzburg Mozarteum, Mo. Reggioli has collaborated in concert and recital with such renowned singers as Renata Scotto, Plácido Domingo, Cecilia Bartoli, Anna Moffo, Carlo Bergonzi, Denyce Graves, and Samuel Ramey. Also widely respected as a pedagogue, he has lectured at the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music and has served as a guest coach at the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School in Brisbane; the Caramoor festival in New York; the Renata Scotto International Vocal Academy in Florence, Italy; and the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program in Greve, Italy. Mo. Reggioli has lent his talents as a coach and administrator to the Young Artist Programs of Teatro alla Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, and the New National Theater of Tokyo. He is the founder and General Director of Bel Canto in Tuscany, and he coaches emerging singers, pianists, and conductors at his home studio in Washington D.C.


Meet the Artists here, and read more about the Lift Every Voice program below.

Baltimore-born baritone Lysle S. Follette, IV is rapidly emerging as a versatile and expressive young artist whose voice bridges cultures and captivates audiences. He began performing at an early age, singing his first solo at the age of three, and by sixth grade, had already toured Europe with the Jeremy Winston Chorale and the Central State University Choir.

Lysle has since appeared on renowned stages including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Mann Center, and Capital One Arena, and has performed for international audiences in diplomatic and cultural settings—most notably at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., celebrating 45 years of U.S.–China relations.

In addition to his vocal accomplishments, Lysle is also a talented composer and arranger, with his choral works performed by the Oakwood University Aeolians, two-time winners of the Choir of the World title. He currently studies Vocal Performance at Washington Adventist University, under the tutelage of Professor Xavier Joseph and continues to use his God-given gifts to glorify his Creator and unite the people around him.

Ayanna Freelon-Coleman, a distinguished soprano from Grenada, Mississippi, is celebrated for her elegance, vocal agility, and commitment to artistic excellence. She began her musical journey at Texas Southern University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a minor in Theater. During her studies, she performed roles such as Lorell in Dreamgirls and Madame Goldentrill in The Impresario. After graduating with honors, she joined the Lingua e’ Canto Young Artist Program in Sant’Angelo in Vado, Italy, where she deepened her artistry in operatic performance.

Mrs. Coleman earned her Master of Arts in Music from Morgan State University, performing as the soprano soloist in Bach’s Magnificat and portraying Mary Leila Wright in Steven Allen’s Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows. She further refined her craft through the “Singing in Sicily” program under renowned pianist Mark Markham. Internationally, she has performed across Italy, China, and Spain.

A dedicated curator of recitals and sacred concerts in the Baltimore/Washington area, Mrs. Coleman has collaborated with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, the ENA Ensemble, and the Walters Art Museum to elevate underrepresented voices in classical music. Her orchestral engagements include performances of Handel’s Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, and Broadway and Beyond with the Accord Symphony Orchestra. Passionate about African American composition and oratorio repertoire, Ayanna seeks to continue expanding her artistry as a concert soprano and interpreter of classical works.

Marcela Jones-Moreno, from Silver Spring, Maryland, has been developing her voice and passion for music since high school. Her journey began at James Hubert Blake High School, where she joined the choir and discovered her love for singing. This passion grew as she became a member of the Montgomery County Youth Choir, performing at the Strathmore Music Center in 2021.

In 2022, Marcela participated in Washington Adventist University’s Music Fest, where her audition earned her a spot as a vocal major. She began studying under Dr. Deborah Thurlow and now trains with Dr. Tae Min Cha. As a member of both the Columbia Collegiate Chorale and Pro Musica, Marcela has performed on prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall and Strathmore, and in 2024 sang with Pro Musica at the American Choral Directors Association Conference in Rhode Island.

Beyond choral work, she performed in WAU’s original production I Dream, I Wish (2024) and assisted behind the scenes in Godspell (2023) and The Pirates of Penzance (2025). Currently pursuing a double major in Pre-Occupational Therapy and Music with an Honors minor, Marcela strives to blend artistry and compassion, aspiring to become an opera singer who inspires and uplifts others.

Lift Every Voice (LEV) is the evolution of Cantate’s Young Artist of Color (CYAC) residency. Launched in 2021 the CYAC—now LEV—aims to address the widespread racial inequity in the field of classical music by providing mentoring and performance opportunities to aspiring Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) classical singers to advance their careers in choral music and solo oratorio performance. In the 2025–2026 concert year, one pre-professional soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, selected by audition, will join Cantate Concert Choir and

  • Participate as paid choristers in three performances with Cantate Concert Choir, on December 14, 2025; March 7, 2026; and May 9, 2026.
  • Meet with local and national performance and administrative professionals in regular Zoom meetings for guidance on career development and professionalism.
  • Receive resume and biography coaching from Cantate’s professional network.
  • Coach solo oratorio repertoire with Cantate’s artistic director as well as two collaborating choral or orchestral conductors.
  • Attend soloist, orchestra, and dress rehearsals, as well as oratorio performances of collaborating organizations.
  • Participate in two masterclasses with leading experts on varied oratorio repertoire: Dr. Lloyd Mallory for Messiah solos on Saturday, November 8, 2025; and Maestro Giovanni Reggioli in spring 2026.
  • Perform solo and small ensemble repertoire with orchestra at a LEV showcase incorporated into a Cantate season concert. The performance will be professionally recorded for the singers’ personal use, and leading area choral and orchestral conductors will be invited.   

Fellows emerge from their residency with Cantate better prepared for careers in the choral/oratorio field, and with a network of supporters and advocates to enable their success. Fellows are compensated competitively for rehearsals and performances and provided a travel stipend each semester. Resume and biography consultation, vocal coaching, rehearsal and concert access, and masterclasses are provided to LEV fellows free of charge.

Additional questions about the program may be addressed to Cara Schaefer, Cantate’s Executive Director at exec@cantate.org.

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