Village News

August 10, 2026

CCM Starling Prep alumna Christina Nam won the First Prize in the Senior Division of the Ysaÿe International Music Competition in Icheon, South Korea, on July 11, 2026. Now age 23, Nam studied with Professor Kurt Sassmannshaus in CCM’s Starling Prep program from age 7 through her high school graduation in 2020.

August 7, 2026

The University of Cincinnati recognized 2,125 graduates in two ceremonies at summer commencement Friday on campus at Fifth Third Arena.

July 31, 2026

Cincinnati Magazine recently turned its spotlight on CCM Costume Shop Manager Celeste Jackson-Moody. In a question-and-answer article featured in the magazine's July 2026 issue, Jackson-Moody discussed a variety of topics ranging from MTV's initial influence on her fashion sensibilities to her professional approach to costuming.

July 31, 2026

UC's College-Conservatory of Music hosts the CCM Wind Conducting Symposium on Nov. 12-14, 2026. Open to emerging and established conductors, participants will have the opportunity to conduct CCM ensembles and receive instruction and feedback from CCM Wind Studies faculty Kevin Holzman and Tyler Ehrlich, as well as guest artist/ clinician Jerry Junkin, Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin.

July 30, 2026

This summer, every law student at the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law who applied for a Summer Public Interest fellowship will receive a fully funded real-world learning experience, expanding opportunities for University of Cincinnati students wishing to pursue real-world experience in public service. This 30% increase in fully funded fellowship participation is a direct result of transformative philanthropy.

July 29, 2026

UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.

July 28, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Avery Bargassé as CCM's new Assistant Professor Educator of Musical Theatre Voice. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026. Bargassé is a versatile vocalist, recording artist and voice teacher whose career spans television, popular music and classical singing. He approaches teaching from a whole-person perspective, helping students develop healthy, flexible technique that supports expressive communication across styles.

July 28, 2026

Hollywood actress Diana Maria Riva recently sat down with the Cincinnati Enquirer to discuss her career over a Cincinnati staple — Skyline chili. The CCM Acting alumna has worked in Hollywood since the '90s, but she grew up on Cincinnati's West Side.

July 27, 2026

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) recently appointed CCM alumnus Kyle A. Lamb (BM Music Education and Percussion, 2017; AD Percussion, 2020) as the organization’s next Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, effective August 3, 2026.

July 27, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music's Media Production Division hosts an alumni reception in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 30. Register online though the UC Alumni Association to attend the event. Alumni are invited to join Division Head Kevin Burke for a special reception to celebrate alumni achievements and the CCM Summer in LA program. Reconnect with fellow Bearcats, meet current students interning in LA, and enjoy an evening of conversation and community.

July 22, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Brandon Kelly as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Dance. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026. Already a familiar face at CCM, Kelly previously served as an Artist in Residence for Musical Theatre Dance during the Spring 2026 Semester.

July 14, 2026

CCM Media Production student Gabriel Peters' capstone project is to create a music video for his original song "DEATH/LIVE." He is the music composer and XR designer, as well as one of the musicians. This mini doc takes views inside his creative process as he works to complete his capstone project. Peters graduated with a BFA in Media Production in spring 2026.

June 30, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Joshua Adewole Kerobo, PhD, as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Musicology/ Ethnomusicology. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026.

June 29, 2026

Hoffman Honors Scholars studying at the College-Conservatory of Music are pursuing growth opportunities in performance and design throughout the summer of 2026.

June 26, 2026

Even if you don't know American parlor composer Stephen Foster, you’ve probably heard his music. His mid-19th century folk songs, including “Camptown Races” and “Oh Susanna,” make appearances in pop culture to this day. There’s a statue of Foster overlooking the Ohio river in Alms Park that prompted WVXU's Bill Rinehart to feature him in his Cincinnati mysteries segment, OKI Wanna Know. WVXU turned to University of Cincinnati music history expert Kristy Swift for a peek into Foster’s life and impact in the region.

June 25, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Hiram Diaz as CCM's Visiting Artist of Euphonium for 2026-27. A CCM alumnus (BM Euphonium Performance, 2007), Diaz's visiting appointment begins this fall.

June 24, 2026

UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Benjamin Nicholson as CCM's new Assistant Professor of Immersive Media and Visuals for Live Events. A CCM alumnus (MFA Lighting Design & Technology, 2025), Nicholson's faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026, and he will work with college leadership to develop classes, content and programming in Live and Immersive Media at CCM. Nicholson's position is a joint appointment shared by CCM's Divisions of Media Production and Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration, and he will teach classes for both areas of the college.

June 22, 2026

CCM alumnus Charles Peck (MM Composition, 2012) was recently named the winner of the 2026 Kreitler Commission Competition. The competition, which is open to composers of any nationality and age, is organized by Summermusik with resident ensemble Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in partnership with Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in North Carolina and Reno Chamber Orchestra.

June 19, 2026

The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) recently appointed CCM alumnus Chandler Johnson (BM Voice, 2016; MM Voice, 2018) as the seventh Artistic Director of the Dayton Opera. He will begin a three-year term on July 1, 2026.

June 17, 2026

The University of Cincinnati Foundation is proud to announce that seven dedicated community members are joining its board of trustees. Ray Brooks, CEAS ’83; Chris Carper, A&S ’93; Tim Giglio, Bus ’84; Nandita Jena, A&S '03, Bus '03 and Chris Lewis, MD, Med ’00 will begin their term in October 2026. In addition to this esteemed group, two new student trustees, Case Trokhan, Med ’26 and Joseph Verry, Med ’30 are joining the board.

June 16, 2026

Since graduating from UC's College-Conservatory of Music, Spencer Lackey (BFA Acting, '17) has established himself as a buzz-worthy creator of short-form horror content. Lackey's TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels have attracted millions of followers and his work has increasingly caught the attention of entertainment industry insiders. Now, his career may be entering an exciting new phase: The Hollywood Reporter recently named Lackey as a potential "next big thing in the horror space."

June 16, 2026

President Neville Pinto announces appointment of Dr. Loren Wold as UC's next Vice President for Research.

June 15, 2026

Students, faculty and alumni from UC College-Conservatory of Music's BFA Media Production program received 17 nominations in the 2026 Ohio Valley Emmy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Award winners will be announced at the Ohio Valley Chapter Emmy Awards ceremony on July 25, 2026.

June 15, 2026

The University of Cincinnati is saddened to share news of the passing of CCM Associate Dean Emeritus Warren E. George. A dedicated member of CCM's faculty and leadership team for 31 years, George passed away on May 19, 2026, at the age of 90.

June 15, 2026

Students from UC College-Conservatory of Music are creating a dazzling display for BLINK, the nation's largest public light and art festival. Illuminated by ArtsWave, BLINK transforms 30+ city blocks from Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine through Northern Kentucky on Oct. 8-11, 2026.