Lift Every Voice

Bethesda, Md., July, 2026 – Cantate proudly announces applications for the 2026-2027 cohort of Lift Every Voice Oratorio Fellows.

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 inequity in the field of classical music by providing mentoring and performance opportunities to aspiring classical singers who might otherwise lack the network and support to advance their careers in choral music and solo oratorio performance. In the 2026–2027 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 6, 2026; March 21, 2027; and May 22, 2027.
  • Prepare solo roles from frequently performed oratorio works, including Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Durante’s Magnificat, Handel’s Messiah, and the Requiems of Mozart, Brahms, and Verdi.
  • Perform solo and small ensemble repertoire with piano and/or organ (selected from works prepared throughout the season) at a dedicated LEV showcase in late Spring. The performance will be professionally recorded for the singers’ personal use, and leading area choral and orchestral conductors will be invited. 
  • Receive coaching on solo oratorio repertoire with Cantate’s artistic director as well as collaborating choral or orchestral conductors.
  • 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.
  • Attend soloist, orchestra, and dress rehearsals, as well as oratorio performances of collaborating organizations.
  • Participate in at least two masterclasses with leading experts on varied oratorio repertoire.

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.

LEV Fellows will be expected to attend Sunday evening rehearsals at First Baptist Church of Silver Spring from 7:00-9:30 pm throughout the Concert Season – a detailed schedule will be provided at the time of contracting. Fellows will be compensated at a rate of $75 per rehearsal, $150 per choral performance, and $500 per solo performance. Each fellow will also receive a $75 travel stipend each concert cycle to help relieve the cost of transportation.

Eligible applicants are vocational classical singers on the cusp of a professional career, without professional representation, who identify a need for additional educational and advancement opportunities to establish themselves as soloists in the Washington D.C. choral community. Applicants are asked to submit video or audio recordings for consideration, and they may be invited for an additional in-person audition. Please submit two contrasting pieces of solo repertoire, one in English and one in another language. We ask that at least one of these two pieces be an aria from opera or oratorio. Oratorio selections do not need to be memorized. Qualified applicants will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis ahead of the 2026-2027 season.

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

APPLY TO LIFT EVERY VOICE

With Gratitude To Our 2025-2026 LEV Season Partners:

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


Meet the Artists of our 2025-2026 LEV Cohort

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.