Celebrate Black History Month in American Music

Nathan De’Shon Myers: A Living Legacy of Black Excellence in American Music

February’s observance of Black History Month offers an opportunity not only to reflect on the past, but to celebrate artists whose work actively shapes the present and future of American music. Few musicians embody that continuum more fully than Nathan De’Shon Myers—an American singer, conductor, and educator whose career spans opera, jazz, gospel, and choral leadership, and whose influence reaches well beyond the concert stage.

Myers’ professional journey reflects both artistic excellence and remarkable range. As an operatic baritone, he has performed with opera companies and orchestras across the United States and Europe, including Deutsche Oper Berlin, Salzburg Landestheater, and Dallas Opera, taking on roles from Mozart and Puccini to Rossini and Verdi. His international work, particularly in Germany, placed him within a repertory system that demands consistency, stylistic fluency, and deep musicianship. At the same time, Myers has remained rooted in American musical traditions, appearing in contemporary opera projects such as the South African premiere of Wading Home, which speaks directly to themes of heritage, identity, and memory.

Equally central to Myers’ career is his work beyond the opera house. He has collaborated with artists across genres, from Kristin Chenoweth to Kirk Franklin, and contributed to Grammy Award–winning recordings and major film soundtracks, including Hidden Figures. His gospel and jazz performances are not side projects but integral expressions of an artist who understands Black musical traditions as interconnected rather than separate. That philosophy is also reflected in his own recording projects, including his latest Found My Joy, which draw on gospel, soul, and contemporary influences while remaining grounded in disciplined vocal craft.

Education and mentorship form another vital thread in Myers’ story. From his leadership at the renowned Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts to his current role as Assistant Professor of Voice and conductor of the Gospel Choir at Arizona State University, he has built programs that honor tradition while opening doors for young singers. His work emphasizes excellence, stylistic respect, and the idea that Black musical expression, from spirituals to opera, belongs at the center of serious artistic study.

In the spirit of Black History Month, Nathan De’Shon Myers represents a living legacy: an artist carrying forward centuries of musical tradition while expanding what classical and choral music can look and sound like today.

We are honored to welcome him as a featured guest artist at our February 28 event, An Afternoon at Steinway, where music, conversation, and celebration will come together in recognition of both artistry and community.

Nathan De’Shon Myers links: website, Facebook, Instagram

Nathan De’Shon Myers at CES event (2/28 @ 4pm): An Afternoon at Steinway