Virginia Beach native and acclaimed opera singer Will Liverman has received a nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best Classical Compendium category for his album, The Dunbar/Moore Sessions Volume II. This marks Liverman’s fifth Grammy nomination, and he previously achieved recognition with a 2023 Grammy for Best Opera Recording as the lead in “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.”
Liverman’s latest work features music inspired by the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Dunbar-Moore, notable figures from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The album blends various musical styles, including jazz, gospel, classical, and musical theater. Liverman expressed his creative journey, stating, “I just took it upon myself to seek out my favorite poems and seek out my favorite collaborators. I wrote these songs just being inspired by these poets, and also to find out who I am, myself, as a writer.”
From Choirs to the Metropolitan Opera
Growing up in Hampton Roads, Liverman’s musical foundation was built in local church choirs, including those at New Hope Church of God in Christ in Norfolk and New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Virginia Beach. He attended Cox High School and the Governor’s School for the Arts, where his talent began to flourish.
After completing a master’s degree in music at Juilliard, Liverman starred in regional productions before landing the title role in Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” in 2020. This groundbreaking opera was based on the memoir of New York Times columnist Charles Blow and marked the first performance by a Black composer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Liverman’s latest album showcases collaborations with various esteemed artists, including Grammy winners Isabel Leonard and Erin Morley, along with Broadway star Mykal Kilgore. Their contributions enhance the richness of the album and reflect Liverman’s commitment to celebrating diverse musical influences.
The Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2024, where Liverman’s achievements will once again be recognized on a prestigious platform. His journey from local church choirs to Grammy nominations epitomizes the power of artistic expression and dedication in the world of classical music.
