Yvonne Hatchett, contralto, has performed on the stages of the world’s leading concert halls and as soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico.  Her rich luminous voice has been heard with the Chicago Lyric Opera, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, on the stages of Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City and in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  In Europe, Ms. Hatchett performed in Festpiel Houses throughout Austria.  Today her wide repertoire includes opera, art songs and jazz.  Adhering to a strong belief in the principles of the great Marian Anderson, Yvonne has included spirituals on most of her solo programs including “Witness,” her signature piece.  She has been acclaimed as a “world class” artist and is in demand for her “glorious and expressive voice,” for the “dignity” and “warm accessibility” of her stage appearances.  She is equally in demand for her dramatic acting, where she is hailed as an “exceptionally gifted actress who breathes life into her characters and their music, making them believable. Ms. Hatchett has served as Artist-In-Residence, Professor of Voice and Director for the University Choir at Florida A&M University.  As Director of Choirs, she led the ensemble on a successful US and Virgin Islands tour in 1996.   Ms. Hatchett has also created programs, directed workshops and served as a performing artist in residence for The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC and for Arts Connection and Symphony Space in New York.  She has served as Department Chair of Vocal Music at the Harlem School of the Arts and Director of Vocal Arts at the Abrons Arts Center, Henry Street Settlement.  She is currently Assistant Professor of Music at John Jay College in New York City. A generous artist, Yvonne conducts voice and choral workshops for schools, churches and community arts organizations throughout the United States.  She has nurtured the talents of many young professional singers, developing their artistry and vocal skills, and is noted for her original works and solo arrangements for children. Yvonne Hatchett is founder of the New York Vocal Ensemble, which had its premiere performance for the Wealth and Giving Forum (a collaborative of Rockefeller Philanthropies) in 2007 at their International Conference in West Virginia.  She is also co-founder of New Renaissance, a vocal trio with a classical and contemporary repertoire.  She has performed on recording projects with Victor Lewis and Bobby Watson, and can also be heard as alto soloist on the recording of "Change My Name" by Linda Twine, with the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble.  She is a part of the PBS special on "The Spiritual," performing with the American Spiritual Ensemble. In 2005, Ms. Hatchett received the Harlem Women of Excellence Award for Achievement in the Arts from Senator David A. Paterson of New York at the Schomburg Library.