Acclaimed composer and Maryland-based arts leader Diana Wharton Sennaar has been named one of eight recipients of the 2026 Discovery Grants from OPERA America, a prestigious national honor supporting the development of new opera and music-theater works.
The grants, totaling $100,000, are part of OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Women Composers program, funded by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. The initiative is designed to elevate women composers and provide critical resources to bring new operatic works to life. Wharton Sennaar’s selected project, YITA (Seeing Again), is being developed in collaboration with librettist and writer Mai Sennaar.
YITA (Seeing Again) is an ambitious and deeply layered work that explores themes of ancestry, climate change, and reproductive autonomy. The story moves across time, connecting the historical impact of the 1755 Sahel drought with the present-day experiences of an African American dancer navigating a high-risk pregnancy. Through its fusion of spiritual, historical, and contemporary elements, the work reflects Wharton Sennaar’s signature approach to storytelling—grounded in cultural memory and emotional depth.
In addition to financial support, the Discovery Grant provides recipients with travel funding, mentorship, and access to OPERA America’s national conferences in 2026 and 2027. These opportunities are designed to help composers build relationships with producers and collaborators while advancing their works toward production.
Wharton Sennaar’s selection places her among a distinguished group of composers shaping the future of opera and music theater. It also marks another milestone in a career that has consistently bridged artistic excellence and cultural impact.
A founding member of the internationally renowned ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, Wharton Sennaar has long been recognized for her contributions to music and performance. Her work as a composer has earned accolades from institutions including the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Maryland State Arts Council. She also served as composer for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, further solidifying her place in contemporary theater.
In addition to her artistic achievements, Wharton Sennaar is deeply invested in community engagement. As co-founder and program director of Piano for Youth123, she leads a Maryland-based music education program that reaches hundreds of young people each year, using piano instruction as a pathway to leadership development.
Her recognition by OPERA America not only affirms her artistic vision but also highlights the growing importance of diverse voices in shaping the future of opera. With YITA (Seeing Again), Diana Wharton Sennaar continues to push boundaries while honoring the histories and experiences that inform her work.