Amazon offers its support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the music and arts community with a sponsorship of Merola Opera Program’s What the Heart Desires recital featuring works by women and people of color, as well as two master classes by world renowned artists. Co-curated by tenor Nicholas Phan and mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller (Merola ’05), What the Heart Desires will be performed 2:00pm, Saturday, July 3, for a limited audience of Merola donors at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall. The filmed performance will be made available to stream for Merola members on July 16, and to the public beginning July 30. In addition, Amazon will sponsor artist residencies of acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and Howard Watkins, leading American pianist and assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. Graves (July 7) and Watkins (July 14) will lead master classes for Merola participants which will be made available for online viewing by Merola members. Merola will also invite community groups, particularly organizations representing people of color and underserved populations, to view the two master classes. “Amazon is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Bay Area and a key part of that is working together to elevate and celebrate all voices,” said Sally Kay, Amazon’s San Francisco Senior Manager of External Affairs. “By supporting the Merola Opera Program and two master classes, we can help ensure the arts are not only accessible to more of our neighbors, but that the artists reflect the rich diversity of our local community.”