Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Previous Rounds
Semi-Finals Competition
Thursday, February 5 - Thursday, February 12, 2026
Regionals Competition Entry Date
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
OVERTURE AWARDS ARE ENDOWED BY The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Presenting Sponsors presents
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Aronoff Center • Jarson-Kaplan Theater
FINALS COMPETITION ORDER
DANCE
CREATIVE WRITING
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
~Intermission~
VOCAL MUSIC
VISUAL ART THEATER
~Intermission~
AWARDS CEREMONY
ARTS EDUCATOR AWARD
STUDENT AWARDS
Six Winner Awards (one in each discipline)
$4,000 each
Eighteen Finalist Awards
$1,500 each
EMCEE
Jack Atherton
STAGE MANAGER
Michael Hatton
PRODUCTION TEAM
Jaclyn Bishop
Joyce Bonomini
Ryan Dupree
Brenda Jones
Jared O’Roark
Emily Spooner
The Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards recognizes, encourages, and rewards excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. Its mission is to encourage arts education as an integral part of a student’s academic experience and to create an environment that encourages training in, and appreciation of, the arts. The Overture Awards Competition is the area’s largest solo arts competition and offers awards in six artistic disciplines: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theater, visual art, and vocal music. For the 2026 competition, students may win $4,000 (one awarded in each discipline) or a $1,500 finalist award (a total of eighteen awarded). Judges at all levels of the competition are from the professional arts community.
President Steve Loftin
VP, Education & Community Engagement Joyce Bonomini
VP, Development Sarah Miller
Associate Director of Education Emily Spooner
Artists on Tour Lead Jaclyn Bishop
Community Programs Manager Ryan DuPree
Executive Assistant/Assistant Stage Manager Brenda Jones
Special Program Manager Jared O’Roark
Additional CAA Staff Support
Aronoff Center Operations
Finance
Marketing
Ticketing
Weston Art Gallery
Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of nearly a dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than two-million students and adults. For more information, visit www.cincinnatiarts.org.
• Grade 11, School for Creative and Performing Arts
• Studies with Just Off Broadway
Nora is a dance major in her tweleth year at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. She began her dance training at the age of 2.5, studying the many different genres of dance. Nora plans to continue her dance studies and her love for the arts for many years.
• Grade 11, Ohio Virtual Academy
• Studies with Just Off Broadway
Easton is seventeen and a Junior at Ohio Virtual Academy. He started dancing at the age of three and is part of the Just Off Broadway performance and convention teams. He participates in theater at Anderson High School and travels with Revel Dance Convention as their Pro Reveler of the Year.
• Grade 12, Turpin High School
• Studies with Just Off Broadway
Riley has been practicing dance since she was three years old. She is trained in the styles of Jazz, Hip-hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theater, and Tap. Her dream is to pursue her dance career collegiately to continue sharing her passion for dance.
• Grade 10, Homeschool
• Studies with Hairston School of Dance
Captivated by ballet at just three years old, Brinkli has been dancing through life! From portraying "the CryBaby" in the Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker to the Sugar Plum Fairy with the Hairston School of Dance, Brinkli finds joy in embodying the characters she is portraying. She hopes for a long career as a professional ballet dancer.
• Grade 12, Springboro High School
Ever since she was little, Lauren has loved to write and tell stories. She primarily writes realistic fiction and fantasy. When she's not planning her next novel, she's making plans as the president of the Springboro High School Writers' Club. She hopes to publish before she graduates and looks forward to being an author some day.
• Grade 11, Wyoming High School
Devi has been an avid lover of books since she was three years old and has been writing short stories ever since she was seven. She hopes to pursue a career in journalism and use her words to enact change, just like her role model Gloria Steinem.
• Grade 11, Villa Madonna Academy
Olivia is an avid reader and writer with an intense passion for speculative fiction and dark fantasy. She's been writing for seven years and recently won a gold key for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. She dreams of being a full-time author and a New York Times bestseller.
• Grade 11, William Mason High School
Angela spends much of her time crafting short stories, which share an outlook on life as she sees it. A mentee in the Adroit Mentorship Program, she aims to convey intimate truths through storytelling. Her work has been recognized by contests like Scholastic and Bluefire, among others. As a writer, Angela attempts to bring what is felt to the page.
• Grade 11, Cincinnati Country Day School
• Studies with Dr. Sarah Kim
Autumn has studied cello for twelve years. She made her solo debut in March 2025 with the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra and was also featured as a soloist with the CSYO Philharmonic the same year. Outside of cello, she enjoys drawing, baking, listening to music, and spending time outdoors.
• Grade 11, Summit Country Day School
• Studies with Professor Alvin Chow
At seventeen, pianist-composer Sophia is a KNS Classical artist studying with Professor Alvin Chow. A Lang Lang Young Scholar and Chopin Foundation Scholar, she has performed with the Cincinnati Pops; debuted in Poland, Spain, and Singapore; and appeared at Carnegie Hall, inspiring audiences through refined artistry and musical excellence.
• Grade 10, Walnut Hills High School
• Studies with Dr. Laura Sabo
Mario grew up surrounded by music through his family traditions from Bolivia. Initially an accordionist, he discovered the clarinet, drawn to its elegance and expressive color. He is principal clarinet of the OMEA All-State Band and a CSYO Norman E. Johns Chair awardee. Mario is also a committed mathematics enthusiast, and proud older brother of twins.
• Grade 12, Indian Hill High School
• Studies with Joyce Grabell
Grace has been playing Viola for seven years, and plans to continue playing throughout her college career. In the past, she has earned second in the AVS Junior Solo Competition and won the Regional Irish Wendell Award. Currently, she is part of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestras.
• Grade 12, Newport Central Catholic High School
• Studies with Talia Zoll Studio of Music / Talia Zoll
Genevieve placed first in the 2025 Matinee Musicale and was a finalist in Schmidt Vocal and UK Vocal Competitions. She earned the 2025 traineeship with Cincinnati Opera. She loves participating in her school's musicals and the Mayfest Choir, and is a golfer. Genevieve plans to major in vocal performance. She would like to thank her voice teacher, Talia Zoll, for her mentorship.
• Grade 12, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
• Studies with Musical Arts Center / Karl Resnik and Sam Krausz
Ray is a senior at CHCA who fell in love with performing his sophomore year and has been in several theatre productions. He started studying classical voice with Karl Resnik his junior year and is a part of the Young Artist Prep Program hosted by CCM. He plans to major in vocal performance in college.
• Grade 10, Seven Hills School
• Studies with Allison Highland
Studying Carnatic music since age five, Sahana presented her first advanced Carnatic Vocal Concert in March 2025, continuing her training in the tradition. She also studies Western vocals, has performed at Carnegie Hall in the Choirs of America competition, and is passionate about musical theatre. Sahana plans to major in Psychology and continue her musical journey in college.
• Grade 12, Saint Xavier High School
• Studies with Musical Arts Center / Karl Resnik
William has had a deep love of studying and performing classical music since the 7th grade. He recently placed first in the Matinee Musicale Competition. William was a finalist in the Overture Awards in 2025 and a semifinalist in 2024. He is a senior at St. Xavier High School and is excited to keep performing in his future!
• Grade 12, School for Creative and Performing Arts
Edie has been telling stories through her art for her entire life. Her comics and illustrations have won numerous gold keys in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, as well as a gold seal in the Cincinnati Public Schools citywide art show. Her dream is to write and illustrate graphic novels and share her stories with the world.
• Grade 11, Indian Hill High School
Jinming has been drawing since the age of five and works with many mediums, including oil paint, watercolor, and clay. Her art has earned eleven awards from the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition and the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition. Outside of art, she enjoys singing, volunteering, and binging TV shows in one sitting.
• Grade 12, Loveland High School
Ronan is a senior at Loveland High School, planning to pursue a career in industrial design with a focus on sustainability. As a student-athlete, Ronan has participated in the Biotech and AP art programs for two years, cofounded Loveland's climbing club, and competed for six years as a varsity cross country and track runner.
• Grade 12, School for Creative and Performing Arts
Riley's passion for the arts began since before she can remember. Even now, as a young adult, her passion has stayed within the arts. She strives to create and to share the story of her life, and how it has shaped the person you see today.
• Grade 12, Sycamore High School
• Studies with Andrea Davies
Maeve has been singing and acting since she was five years old, and it's been her passion ever since. She most recently played Agnes in She Kills Monsters at Sycamore High School. She plans to major in Musical Theatre in college after high school. She was also an Overture Awards semi-finalist in 2025
• Grade 12, Homeschool
• Studies with Northern Kentucky University / Xan Jeffery
Avery has had a love for musical theatre since she watched the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera when she was three. She studies voice with Xan Jeffery, is in regional musicals in Cincinnati, and is a part of The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati’s Junior Theater Festival Competition team. She plans to study musical theatre in College.
• Grade 11, Highlands High School
Elliot has enjoyed performing for local audiences since age nine. Favorite recent roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition (TCT Mainstage), Maureen in RENT: School Edition (CAST), Pearl in The SpongeBob Musical (Highlands High School), and Elizabeth in Young Frankenstein (PAl). She also enjoys bowling, playing guitar and viola, and plans to pursue musical theatre after high school.
• Grade 11, Sycamore High School
• Studies with Musical Arts Center / Karl Resnik
Jai’Den has always been passionate about theater. He was recently named a Winner with Distinction in the National YoungArts Competition for Musical Theatre. Jai’Den plans to get a BFA in Musical Theatre and thanks everyone who has supported his journey, especially his voice teacher Karl Resnik and his family.
Each round of the competition—Regionals, Semi-Finals, and Finals—is adjudicated by a panel of judges who are professionals in their discipline.
Chair: Elissa Yancey
Regional: Jody Bates, Mildred Fallen, Deirae Hosley, Brandon Isaac, Alan Jozwiak, Jacob Zimmerman
Semi-Final: Michelle Holley, Sherry Cook Stanforth, Annette Wick
Final: Michelle Lawrence, Aiesha Little, Billy Simms
Chair: Jacqui Haas
Regional: Tracey Bonner, Diane Lala, Jeunita Olowe
Semi-Final: Kiersten Edwards, Jeri Gatch, Joy Detherage Jovet
Final: Jeff Kuhr, David Morse, Suzette Webb
Chair: Janell Eschenbrenner
Regional: Danielle Hundley, Jackson Leung, Mariko Watson, Elizabeth Wu
Semi-Final: Jason McElroy, Adalia Powell-Boehne, Isaac Selya
Final: Ricardo Averbach, Mark Quintero, Siok Lian Tan
Chair: Kate Wilford
Regional: Shawn Carter, Ken Early, Beth Harris, Regina Pugh, Ariel Shaw, Torie Wiggins
Semi-Final: Candice Handy, Greg Procaccino, Joshua Steele
Final: Andrea Canny, Pat Linhart, Spring Starr Pillow
Chair: Billy Simms
Regional: Christian Drye, Kip Eagan, David Knight, Deogracias Lerma, Kelly Phelps, Jane Winget Sheldon
Semi-Final: Lindsay Nehls, Kate Rowekamp, Anisha Sanghani
Final: Ryan Leary, Adoria Maxberry, Anna Christine Sands
Chairs: Kathy Wade
Regional: Dione Bennett, Jason Holmes, Spring Starr Pillow, Jackie Stevens, Marc Weagraff, Spencer Zembrodt
Semi-Final: Darren Bryant, Adrian Cunningham, Padma Chebrolu, Danielle Steele
Final: Rebecca Childs, Takiyah Cunningham, Yemi Oyediran
Grade High School
Lauren Ashelman 12 Springboro High School
Lorelai Bauman 11 Seven Hills School
Devi Kool 11 Wyoming High School
Trey Lacinak 12 Mariemont High School
Olivia Landry 11 Villa Madonna Academy
Logan Schwartz 10 Randall Cooper High School
Maya Schwartz 12 Randall Cooper High School
Angela Tang 11 William Mason High School
Jai Tate 12 Ohio Connections Academy
Emilia Watka 11 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Asher Wesolowski 11 Northwest High School
Grade High School
Brinkli Cox 10 Homeschool
Nora Doyle 11 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Easton Gliebe 11 Ohio Virtual Academy
Elise Hellmann 12 Highlands High School
Maren Hunley 12 Mount Notre Dame High School
Haydyn Jackson 10 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Riley Neugebauer 12 Turpin High School
Victoria Niu 12 Walnut Hills High School
Lily Mae Smith 11 Ohio Virtual Academy
Cristiano Tempfli 10 Sycamore High School
Nishita Vangala 10 William Mason High School
Leah Zimmerly 10 Wyoming High School
Grade High School
Owin Abeysinghe 9 Indian Hill High School
Beckett Cerón 11 Seven Hills School
Annie Li 12 William Mason High School
Sonya Moomaw 10 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Mario AgustÃn Ynga Orellana 10 Walnut Hills High School
Autumn Rinaldi 11 Cincinnati Country Day School
Sophia Suwiryo 11 Summit Country Day School
Alexander Wang 10 Walnut Hills High School
Grace Yu 12 Indian Hill High School
Jenna Zhang 10 William Mason High School
Grade High School
Maeve Bachman 12 Sycamore High School
Zander Brewer 12 Lakota West High School
Avery Fox 12 Homeschool
Desmond Hutchens 10 Campbell County High School
Annabel Jasinoski 12 Milford High School
Avery Kaufman 12 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Caroline Lovelace 12 Walnut Hills High School
Elliot Martin 11 Highlands High School
Adah Mosher 11 Walnut Hills High School
Jai’Den Pritchett 11 Sycamore High School
Natalie Schmall 11 Ursuline Academy
Naomi Wanko 11
Talawanda High School
Isabella Weir 9 Seven Hills School
Lydia Wright 12 Mercy Mcauley High School
Grade High School
Edie Anderson 12 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Rivkah Green 11 Indian Hill High School
Jinming Gu 11 Indian Hill High School
Cordelia Holland 12 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Vivian Jenkins 12 Indian Hill High School
Riley Judd 12 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Danica Lee 12 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Tessa Long 12 Seton High School
Jenisha Rana 12 Indian Hill High School
Lydia Wilson 12 Oak Hills High School
Ronan Wolfer 12 Loveland High School
Serena Zhang 12 William Mason High School
Grade High School
Kiersten Bennett 11 Scott High School
Roland Hensley 10 Highlands High School
Genevieve Howard 12 Newport Central Catholic High School
Adelaide Linser 12 Walnut Hills High School
Elyse Longbottom 12 Indian Hill High School
Raymond Muenzer 12 Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Logan Nerlinger 12 Oak Hills High School
Reina Ryan 11 Lakota East High School
Lorenza Schweitzer 11 Highlands High School
Sahana Siddharth 10 Seven Hills School
Jenavieve Southcombe 10 School for Creative and Performing Arts
Eden Walker 10 School for Creative and Performing Arts
William Wittekind 12 Saint Xavier High School
The Arts Educator Award promotes and rewards excellence in arts instruction throughout Greater Cincinnati. An educator who teaches any of the following arts disciplines may be nominated: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theater, visual art, and vocal music. They can be a high school arts specialist, teaching artist working with high school students, or an arts professional or educator providing private lessons or instruction. Nominations for the award must come from students between the ages of 14-19 who are currently enrolled in high school. Nominations are made by submitting an on-line application with a three-minute video about why the nominee is an exemplary arts educator.
The recipients of the 2026 award will receive $1,000. The recipients of the Arts Educator Award may utilize the monetary award to strengthen their program or practice, e.g. artist fee for guest lecturer or master class, purchase of equipment, or a professional learning opportunity (such as tuition assistance for either the educator or for students to study with the recipient or another professional).
The Arts Educator Award was first introduced during the 2006-07 Season as the “Theater Educator Award,” which was originally created by Jackie Demaline, former Cincinnati Enquirer theatre critic and arts reporter, as one of the first initiatives of the Enquirer’s Acclaim Awards for Excellence in Cincinnati Theatre. With its move to the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards program in 2015, the Theater Educator Award has broadened its scope to become the Arts Educator Award.
GIOVANNI FLORES
Private Instructor
• Discipline: Instrumental Music
• Nominated by: Quincy Whitfield
MICHAEL SHERMAN
High School Teacher
• Discipline: Theater
• Nominated by: Adelaide Linser
The Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards graciously thanks the following for their support.
Scholarship Sponsors
Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Punky's Pixels
Summfair Cincinnati
TriHealth
Program Sponsors
Accent on Cincinnati
Ryan Anderson
Arthur Murray – Cincinnati
Arthur Murray – West Chester
Karla Boldery
James Branham
Bonita Brockert
Bill Chappie
Maura Garuccio
Erin Mignano
Dylan Morton
Jozsef Parragh
Stacy Sims
Josh Tilford
Alyenendrov Tsorokean
Janeen Coyle
Chris O’Brien
J.D. Hughes
Print Sponsor
Harlan Graphics
A special thank you to all the Aronoff Center volunteers, Cincinnati Arts Association staff, and Stagehand Local 5 IATSE members who make the Overture Awards possible!
The CAA Presents series is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC).
The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
Saturday,April 25, 2026
To tend, unfailingly, unflinchingly, toward a goal is the secret of success.
– Anna Pavlova
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation salutes the success of the Cincinnati Arts Association Overture Awards winners.