BY MIMI BECKER

Contributing writer

Danville native and Danville High School graduate, soprano Lydia Graham, returns to Danville to present a benefit concert on April 22. The concert is being sponsored by the P.E.O Chapter I to celebrate its 70th Anniversary in Danville.

Lydia Graham recently completed her Master’s of Music degree from Juilliard School, having graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music degree from the Juilliard in 2020. She has established her Private Voice Studio for students of all ages, children to adults. Instruction focuses on healthy vocal technique for all genres of music, but specifically for classical and musical theatre singing.

Throughout her career, Lydia has performed with prominent orchestras, conductors, and musicians in many programs including the MetLiveArts, the New York Philharmonic at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Chautauqua Institution School of Music and the Chautauqua Opera Company, and the New York Festival of Song. She has performed at the Lincoln Center multiple times.

Lydia has received many honors and recognitions including, among others, an Emerging Talent Award in 2021, second prize at the Dayton Opera Guild Competition, third prize at the 2019 Orpheus Vocal Competition where she will be a finalist in 2023, and second prize in the 2017 Harlem Opera Theatre Vocal Competition. In 2016 she was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and performed at the Kennedy Center.

Lydia is an avid storyteller and sings to make people feel seen and deeply loved. She served as the worship leader at the Every Nation Church in New York City, as well as at her home church, Cornerstone Assembly of God. The title of her concert in Danville is “Songs I’ve Dreamed About.” Proceeds of the concert will benefit the P.E.O. scholarship fund.

Lydia will be accompanied by pianist Emma Luyendijk. Emma was born in Cape Town, South Africa and currently is based in New York City. She has performed internationally and has served as rehearsal pianist for the New York City Ballet.

The P.E.O. was founded in 1869 to promote educational opportunities for women. Through the years, the organization has grown to 5,800 chapters in the U.S. and Canada and has awarded $162.3 million in scholarships and grants for education assistance.

The concert will be at the Presbyterian Church, Main Street, at 2:00. Tickets are $20.00 and are available through Patti Wright, 812-483-9004, or Lynn Dowdy, 859-576-4524. Tickets are also available at the door. Student tickets are $5.

A reception will follow the concert.