SHYHEIM SELVAN HINNANT

About

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).

He was an Apprentice Artist at Des Moines Metro Opera in 2024, a Resident Artist at the Glimmerglass Music Festival in 2025, and a Richard Gaddes Festival Artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in 2026, where he appeared as the Sergeant of Police in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, displaying 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.

He is an Adjunct Professor of Vocal Studies at Virginia State University, in an effort to help mold the next generation of classically trained singers.

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.

Beyond opera, Shyheim writes and releases alternative R&B music under the alias shy lennox.