Damien Sneed

An unforgettable night of music, spirit, and celebration 🎶✨ Experience a Live recording of "Revelation & Jubilation: A Symphony of Spirit" at Town Hall with visionary artist Damien Sneed. Tickets now on sale!

Don't miss Opening Night featuring works by @libbylarsenthecomposer & @damiensneed with NY premieres by @stevenward83 , @moyarei , & @markcarlsonmusic ! Sat June 20 - get your tix! 🔗/2026-events/june20

My desk for this week is right here in Heinz Hall—one of Pittsburgh’s most prestigious musical homes—as we step into the final choral rehearsal for All Rise Symphony by my mentor, @wyntonmarsalis . Tomorrow, he joins forces with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the @jazzdotorg orchestra for what promises to be an extraordinary performance—alongside the powerful 200-voice @mendelssohnpgh of Pittsburgh. Serving as choral preparer for this monumental work has been both an honor and a responsibility I don’t take lightly—especially after traveling here early last month to begin the rehearsal process. To shape and refine this music with the chorus, knowing what’s coming, and helping to bring that vision to life in advance of Wynton’s arrival is a calling I cherish deeply. It has also been a tremendous joy to work alongside Australian conductor Maestro @maestrobenny —who currently leads both the @sydneysymphonyorchestra and the @melbournesymphonyorchestra continues to inspire. Reconnecting and collaborating again after our time together in 2024 when I took my first trip down under to both Sydney & Melbourne has been truly special. I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity my musical training, versatility, and preparation have afforded me over the years. And I remain deeply indebted to my mentor, Wynton, for trusting me time and time again to go in ahead of him and help prepare these large-scale symphonic works with chorus. Onward to tomorrow… 🎶 #AllRise #WyntonMarsalis #PittsburghSymphony #Gratitude #ClassicalMusic

🚨 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT I’m honored to invite you to something incredibly special… 🎶 LIVE RECORDING: Revelation & Jubilation: A Symphony of Spirit
📍 The Town Hall, New York City
🗓 Friday, June 5, 2026
🕗 8:00 PM Presented by the legendary Valerie Simpson, this evening marks the official kickoff to Black Music Month—and will be captured as a LIVE recording. This is more than a concert. It’s a journey of sound, spirit, and story—blending gospel, classical, jazz, soul, African drumming, spoken word, and more into one unified and powerful experience. I’ll be leading this monumental work as creator, music director, and principal performing artist, alongside my extraordinary Orchestra of Tomorrow, bringing to life original compositions and arrangements that reflect the legacy and future of Black musical expression. ✨ Joined by an incredible lineup of guest artists:
J’Nai Bridges, Kim Burrell, Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, Jacqueline Echols-McCarley, Wynell Freeman, Gary McClellan, Phylicia Rashad, Juandolyn Stokes, Matthew Whitaker and more. The Orchestra of Tomorrow includes Ronald “CJ” Alexander, Sidney Antoine, Chenee Campbell, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Jammal Graham, Anthony Hervey, Markita Knight, Amadou Kouyate, Stephanie Matthews, Joseph Miller, Anitra McKinney, Jeffery Miller, Alicia Peters-Jordan, Daniel “Flash” Revell, Linny Smith, and Matia Washington and many others. This night will be historic.
What happens in the room will live on as a document, a testimony, and a resource for generations to come. 🎟 Tickets start at $35
Presale begins May 6 | Public sale begins May 8
👉 Come be a part of this moment.
Come experience the Symphony of Spirit. #RevelationAndJubilation #SymphonyOfSpirit #LiveRecording #BlackMusicMonth #DamienSneed

Still smiling about this moment… I finally got to meet one of my childhood crushes — THEE @rosieperezbrooklyn . 🙌🏾✨ We crossed paths at the incredible Dance Theatre of Harlem gala at New York City Center, right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan — and she was everything you’d hope she’d be. So gracious, kind, and genuinely hospitable. Moments like this remind me how powerful it is to meet the people who inspired you growing up… and to experience their spirit in real life. Truly unforgettable. #FullCircleMoment #RosiePerez #DanceTheatreOfHarlem #Legendary #InLivingColor

I’m still in awe of the brilliance that @_viviana_goodwin brought to the stage in the leading role of Treemonisha for my most recent opera commission with the @washnatopera this past March 2026. Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary—vocally radiant, dramatically compelling, and deeply rooted in the spirit and integrity of the work. A beautiful voice, yes—but even more, an artist of depth, intelligence, and undeniable presence. Viviana represents the very future of opera and classical music. There is a confidence, clarity, and promise in her artistry that assures us that this art form is in excellent hands for generations to come. Brava, Viviana. The world is watching—and you are more than ready. 🎭✨ #Opera #Treemonisha #WashingtonNationalOpera #ClassicalMusic #FutureOfOpera

So grateful I was able to travel to Georgia to celebrate and support my dear friend, colleague, artist, and fellow laborer, @juandolynstokes , for her anniversary celebration. Your unwavering support, wisdom, and consistency over the years have meant more than words can express. Thank you for who you are and all that you continue to pour into so many lives. Celebrating you today and always! 🙏🏽✨ #Gratitude #AnniversaryCelebration #KingdomWork

The powerful and unforgettable @howard1867 tribute honoring gospel legends @officialtwinkieclark & @smallrich is coming straight to your screens yet again! 🙌🏾🎶 Howard University Presents:
A Gospel Celebration of Twinkie Clark & Richard Smallwood
📺 Airing on WHUT-HD This extraordinary night of music, legacy, and spirit—under the musical direction of @damiensneed —features incredible guest artists:
🌟 @kierrasheard 
🌟 @yannasoulsings 
🌟 @soprano_jacquelinee 
🌟 The Levites
🌟 Griot String Quartet
🌟 @howardgospelchoir 🗓 Broadcast Schedule:
• Saturday, May 9 – 7:30 AM
• Sunday, May 10 – 7:00 PM
• Monday, May 11 – 2:00 AM & 11:00 AM
• Friday, May 22 – 9:00 PM
• Saturday, May 23 – 3:00 AM & 12:00 PM Prepare to experience anointed performances, masterful musicianship, and a celebration of two of the greatest voices in gospel music history. This is more than a concert—it’s a moment. 📺 Tune in on WHUT-HD and be inspired! #HowardUniversity #TwinkieClark #RichardSmallwood #GospelMusic #WHUT

There is nothing more fulfilling than witnessing the next generation step boldly into their purpose. Standing here with two incredible young men from the Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts Department of Music who embody excellence, discipline, and vision. To my mentee Dillon DeBourg — graduating this Saturday, May 9th — I couldn’t be prouder. Watching you grow, lead, and now follow in my footsteps to New York University’s graduate program in Music Business is powerful. The journey continues… and you are more than ready. And to Mandla Morris — a true multi-hyphenate, gifted and fearless in his artistry — your light is undeniable. The world is already making room for what you carry. This is what legacy looks like. This is what purpose feels like. This is what HBCU excellence produces. The future of music, leadership, and culture is in GREAT hands. #HowardUniversity #HBCUExcellence #ChadwickBosemanCollege #NextGeneration #BlackExcellence MusicBusiness MentorshipMatters FutureLeaders NYU GraduationSeason ProudMentor Legacy DamienSneed ArtsEducation ExcellenceInAction

While in Winston-Salem, NC, I had an opportunity to have lunch with my dear friend, colleague, and classmate, @aarock —an extraordinary musician, professor, and conductor of the Wake Forest Symphony Orchestra, I’m especially grateful for our shared journey—from classmates to colleagues—and for the continued impact he is making in the world of music and beyond. #Gratitude #MusicalExcellence #Conductors #WakeForestSymphonyOrchestra #friends

Happy Birthday to my incredible little sister, @icanonlybetiffy 🎉❤️ From the very beginning, you’ve brought so much light, laughter, and love into my life. Watching you grow into the strong, beautiful, and inspiring woman you are today has been one of my greatest joys. You are brilliant, resilient, and full of purpose—and I’m so proud to call you my sister. No matter how much time passes, I’ll always be here cheering you on, supporting you, and celebrating everything that makes you you. May this year bring you even more favor, joy, success, and unforgettable moments. You deserve it all and more. Your big brother‼️

Thank you to the incredible Gateways Music Festival for inviting me to serve as a special guest artist for the Spring 2026 Festival in Winston-Salem, NC. To share music across four unforgettable performances—Union Baptist Church, Winston-Salem State University, UNC School of the Arts, and Centenary United Methodist Church—was truly a gift. This clip is from our powerful finale concert, where I had the honor of paying tribute to the visionary founder, Armenta Hummings Dumisani, and celebrating the enduring legacy of my mentor, the late Richard Smallwood. Beyond his brilliance as a songwriter, singer, and arranger, Smallwood was a masterful classical pianist—a truth I carry with me every time I sit at the piano. This moment features his soul-stirring solo piano medley of “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Come Ye Disconsolate”—music that continues to heal, uplift, and transcend. Thank you, Gateways, for championing artistry, excellence, and legacy. This is what it’s all about.