named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Queer Voices Sung
Monthly concert series showcasing queer excellence in classical music, featuring LGBTQ+ singers and composers, with free community access.
Stations of the Lost: A Trans Requiem
Secular/gnostic requiem in oratorio form, premiered for Trans Day of Remembrance, honoring the lives of trans artists through music and visual art in collaboration with artist Randy Polumbo.
TRANScend Ambassadors
Auditioned, touring ensemble that performs paid engagements locally and beyond, representing trans and gender-expansive voices in classical and contemporary music settings.
TRANScend Chorale
Community-based choral ensemble open to all, based in New York City, performing seasonal and thematic concerts centered on LGBTQ+ and trans-affirming repertoire.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Commissioning New Musical Works 2 activities
- Commission and premiere original choral works, including thematic requiemsCommissions and premieres new musical works tailored to the chorale’s voices, including the large-scale requiem “Stations of the Lost” by Dr. Graham and a new piece by director Hannah Cai Sobel, both created in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance and expressions of queer love.
- Produce and perform music exploring queer love and LGBTQ+ composersCurates and performs choral music that reflects queer love across history, featuring works by trans and LGBTQ+ composers and arrangers, spanning liturgical, pop, and contemporary genres, and includes original compositions and collaborations highlighting underrepresented traditions such as queerness in gospel music.
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Musicological Research and Scholarly Editions 1 activity
- Conduct research in voice science and vocal educationConducts and presents research on voice science and vocal/choral music education, with a focus on topics such as singing voice disorders and developmental voice.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Ensure accessibility in performances and materialsProvides accessibility accommodations including large-print or alternate-format concert materials upon request, online availability of texts and translations, designated seating, and first-aid availability at events. Collaborates with venues to offer remote streaming when feasible.
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Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Operate community and auditioned choral ensembles for transgender and gender-expansive singersRuns an open, non-auditioned Community Chorale and an auditioned ensemble for transgender and gender-expansive singers, providing weekly rehearsals in Manhattan and serving over 100 singers. The organization is recognized as New York's first classical vocal ensemble for this community.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Present annual concerts and performances at community and cultural eventsProduces at least two major concerts annually—the Holiday Concert in December and the Pride Concert in June—and performs at festivals, religious observances, art spaces, and sports events, including performances at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and a Major League Soccer game. Some performances are offered free of charge for community events.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$15K
Contributions & grants$5K35%
Program service revenue$9K60%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$11K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$3K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$3K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Granite Planet Partner — Co-presidency and artistic collaboration through shared leadership with the opera company Granite Planet.
- LGBT Center Partner — Host venue for the "Stations of the Lost" requiem performance.
- LMCC Government — Administers the Creative Engagement regrant program through which TRANScend receives public arts funding.
- Lavender Light Partner — Collaborates with TRANScend on a musical cultural exchange celebrating gospel music and queerness.
- New York Singing Teachers Association Network — Dr. Felix Graham serves as Vice President of this professional organization.
- Randy Polumbo Partner — Collaborated with Dr. Graham on the choral mass “Stations of the Lost” in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance.
- St. John’s in the Village Partner — Hosts TRANScend performances including events during Pride Month and Queer Voices Sung series.
- TCCMF Government — TRANScend non-profit foundation referenced as linked to TCCMF.
- TRANScend Community Chorale Partner — Shares funding and resources with the Ambassadors ensemble; supported through revenue from gigs.
- TRANScend Member Elective Committee Partner — Committee that handles accessibility concerns for members of the Community Chorale.
- Teachers College, Columbia University Partner — Dr. Felix Graham taught choral methods and applied voice at this institution.
- The Cathedral of St John the Divine Partner — Hosts annual Pride Eve celebrations featuring TRANScend and the Greedy Peasant.
- The Cathedral of St. John the Divine Partner — Performance venue and community space where TRANScend Chorale has performed.
- Voice and Speech Review Network — Dr. Felix Graham serves on the editorial board of this publication.
- York College, CUNY Partner — Dr. Felix Graham conducted the Cardinal Chorus and provided music instruction at this institution.
- admin@transcendsings.org Partner — Primary contact for choir administration and member onboarding
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Based Community Building for Trans and Gender-Expansive Individualsmethodology: arts_based_community_buildingBy centering choral music as a shared artistic practice, the organization fosters belonging and community cohesion among transgender and gender-expansive individuals, because collective musical expression creates safe, affirming spaces that counter social exclusion.
- Cultural Affirmation Through Representative Repertoire and Performancemethodology: cultural_affirmation_through_artBy performing works by marginalized composers and commissioning new pieces aligned with the chorale’s identity, the organization validates trans and gender-atypical voices within classical music traditions, because representation in canon and programming reinforces cultural legitimacy and personal dignity.
- Non-Hierarchical Choral Participation as Structural Inclusionmethodology: non_hierarchical_choral_approachesBy replacing traditional power dynamics in choral music with non-hierarchical approaches, the organization increases inclusivity and empowerment for transgender and gender-expansive singers, because flattening authority structures reduces barriers to participation and fosters collective ownership of artistic expression.
- Vocal Health Aligned With Gender Identitymethodology: vocal_health_and_identityBy integrating vocology with gender-affirming vocal training, the organization supports singers in aligning their voices with their personal identity, because voice is central to self-expression and social recognition, and technical support enhances both vocal sustainability and psychological well-being.