The Sphinx Organization has awarded Sphinx Medals of Excellence to double bassist Joseph H. Conyers, soprano Raquel Gonzalez, and baritone Will Liverman. The medals honor Black and Latinx artists who “demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and ongoing commitment to leadership.” The medalists will also each receive a $50,000 artist grant to advance their career development. Conyers is assistant principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and executive director of Project 440, which mentors young musicians in Philadelphia. Gonzalez recently completed three seasons as a Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist at Washington National Opera, and this season she will appear at New Orleans Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Tampa, Opera on the James, and Washington National Opera. Liverman recently received the 3Arts Award for Chicago-based artists and has won top prizes in the George London Foundation, Stella Maris, Gerda Lissner, and Sullivan Foundation competitions. He will debut this season at the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, and Opera Philadelphia. Conyers, Gonzalez, and Liverman will receive their awards on March 20, 2019 at the eighth annual Sphinx Medals of Excellence luncheon, hosted by the Kennedy Center for the Arts and the Aspen Institute.
Posted September 17, 2018
