News & Press
Welcome to the Washington Performing Arts Press Room, designated for working members of the media.
We invite you to learn more about the programming, leadership, and vision of Washington Performing Arts below.
Latest News and Information
New Board of Directors and Junior Board Members Elected
Washington Performing Arts board leadership ensures that the organization fulfills its mission to bring meaningful, wide-ranging artistic programs to stages, schools, and neighborhoods throughout our nation’s capital.
2024 Pola Nirenska Dance Awardees Announced
Sarah Beth Oppenheim awarded for Outstanding Achievements in Dance and Sylvia Soumah for Lifetime Achievement in Dance. The award annually celebrates trailblazing members of the dance community.
David G. Powell Appointed Director of Gospel Music Programs
Powell leads the department’s artistic, operational, and strategic planning efforts for the Washington Performing Arts resident gospel choirs: the Children of the Gospel Choir, the Men and Women of the Gospel Choir, and an alumni choir.
Washington Performing Arts 2024/25 Season Announced
Season features top artists in orchestral, chamber, vocal, global, jazz, classical, and more in seven venues throughout the capital region. Season-wide programs celebrate World Pride 2025, stories of African and African-American trailblazers, veterans, and highlight local artists in community-centered performances.
Children of the Gospel Choir Celebrates 30 Years at June 1 Concert
Choral celebration of artistry, advocacy, and legacy includes more than 50 COTG alumni singers joining singers from grades four through 12 in choir homecoming.
Mary Lou Williams’s “ZODIAC SUITE” May 19, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
The D.C. premiere concert presented by Washington Performing Arts and The United States Air Force Band features pianist Aaron Diehl, whose recording of “Zodiac Suite” was nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY Award.
Alisa Weilerstein’s FRAGMENTS Premieres with Washington Performing Arts, April 6, 2024, at The Kennedy Center
Matinee Features World-Premiere of FRAGMENTS 4; Evening performance is Regional Premiere of FRAGMENTS 2 and Second-Annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Recital.
Ana Harvey and Zaminah Williams join Board of Directors
The two join a distinguished group of individuals dedicated to advancing the mission and wide-ranging artistic programs on stages, and in schools and neighborhoods throughout the national capital region.
Strathmore and Washington Performing Arts Present Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up In My Bones: Opera Suite in Concert Friday, April 26 at 8 PM at The Music Center at Strathmore
A new intimate production of Blanchard’s “opera in jazz” features the composer on trumpet, with the E-Collective, Turtle Island Quartet, visual artist Andrew F. Scott, and vocalists Justin Austin and Adrienne Danrich.
Washington Performing Arts Announces Mars Arts D.C. Lineup for Free Songbyrd Music House Series
The concert series runs March-June 2024 with performances by Moonshine Society, James Murphy, Roz White and The Blacc Print Experience.
Annual Reports
Contact
Media with inquiries or asset requests should contact Washington Performing Arts media relations representative Amanda Sweet.
Media Inquiries
Amanda Sweet
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. E.T.
Amanda@bucklesweet.com