Shyheim Hinnant
Shyheim Selvan Hinnant is a bass-baritone from Woodbridge, Virginia whose artistry spans opera, songwriting, and acting. He has been praised for his "rich and powerful voice" (Rob Levy, Review STL) along with his "ringing, solid bass-baritone" (James Sohre, Opera Today). In 2024, Shyheim joined Des Moines Metro Opera as an Apprentice Artist, where he premiered the role of Clarence in Damien Geter's American Apollo. He subsequently appeared as a Resident Artist at the Glimmerglass Music Festival, creating the role of Preacher Man in the world premiere of Derek Bermel's The House on Mango Street and performing A Solo Voice in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress. This past summer, he was a Richard Gaddes Festival Artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, appearing as the Sergeant of Police in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, where he displayed his “gift for physical comedy” (Steve Callahan, Broadway World). Shyheim recently completed a Master of Musical Arts degree at Yale University. Prior to his studies at Yale, he earned a Master of Music degree from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also completed studies through the Conservatorio di Milano’s Erasmus Program. He is the 2026 recipient of the Grace Keagy Award for Outstanding Vocal Achievement from the Lotte Lenya Competition. Whether performing on the operatic stage, collaborating on new works, or exploring contemporary repertoire, Shyheim is dedicated to creating meaningful artistic experiences that connect with audiences through authenticity, imagination, and musical excellence. He is very excited to bring his talents and knowledge to Virginia State University, in an effort to help mold the next generation of classically trained singers. Beyond opera, Shyheim writes and releases alternative R&B music under the alias shy lennox.