Articles & Videos

This is Our Story, This is Our Song is an introductory series about the world of opera and minorities’ contributions to this art form. The series also includes one on one interviews with my incredible guests, Mr. Brad Bickhardt and Ms. Helena Brown. They are both minority working professionals in the world of opera. This series also includes viewings of art songs and operatic works. I created this series specifically to provide an educational resource about the world of opera for underrepresented youth, but all are welcome to view this content and learn more about this often, misunderstood genre. Thank you to my Thesis Advisor, Professor Martha Sutter and my Honors Thesis Reader, Dr. José Peppie Calvar. Thank you to the Renée Crown University Honors Program at Syracuse University. Thank you to the Governor’s School for the Arts under the musical training of Mr. Alan Fischer and Mrs. Shelly Milam-Ratliff. Special thanks to the performing arts organizations that gave me my first performance opportunities on stage, the Hurrah Players and Virginia Opera. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Sharon Davidson Cook for seeing my potential and encouraging me to consider the performing arts. Thank you to my supportive family and friends for helping to guide me on this personal journey. And thank you to all of YOU for taking the time to view my content!
Trained in classical singing and with intentions to pursue law, Gabrielle Pinkney ’24 plans to advocate for marginalized voices from both on the stage and behind the scenes.
Gabrielle Pinkney was one of twelve seniors in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) named as a 2024 VPA Scholar, the college’s highest undergraduate academic honor.
Gabrielle Pinkney featured in the Winter 2023 Syracuse Manuscript
Bringing opera to the Black community (thenewshouse.com)
Five innovative and inspiring members of the Honors program joined together
to form the first Black Honors Society within the history of the program.
The purpose of the organization is to promote cultural advancement, to provide professional networking, to celebrate academic excellence, to develop fulfilling mentorships, to encourage community service, and to nurture a sense of emotional support for the persons among the minority student population. 
Gabrielle Pinkney shares gift with military families.

http://midatlanticnats.org/2017-auditions-results

https://www.artsongupdate.org/Reviews/GSA/GSA26.htm

Twelve-year-old Gabrielle “Bri” Pinkney of Virginia Beach not only modeled, but later brought the house down with a rousing rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good.”