Opera/Voice

CCM voice students stand in a circle around a performer during a performance of the Cunning Little Vixen

Ranked No. 2 in the nation for Classical Voice/Opera Programs by InsideMusicSchools.com

Your NEXT LIVES HERE. Come be a part of CCM’s internationally acclaimed, vibrant programs. Our Opera and Voice Departments embrace artists at their current level and nurture them towards their ultimate potential. Singers work with an acclaimed faculty as well as visiting industry professionals and celebrated artists. We are proud to be a resident faculty of artist/educators who are committed to consistent tutelage. Our low faculty/student ratio yields meaningful attention and opportunities.

Six on-campus performance venues are utilized for fully staged operas, recitals, chamber music performances, and larger vocal and orchestral works.  Productions are designed and built in-house, so singers collaborate with the creators shaping the future of the arts.  CCM produces two mainstage operas, one studio production and one undergraduate opera per year.

Thanks to CCM’s fine facilities and high-caliber talent pool, many young artist programs and regional opera companies hold onsite auditions.  Cincinnati itself has a historically rich musical community.  Students at every degree level have benefitted from unique opportunities with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera.

CCM students have continued to make their way to Cincinnati Opera, singing in the chorus or entering the young-artist program and taking on supporting roles, before making significant careers in other opera houses.

Opera News

Voice Degree Programs

CCM’s Voice Department maintains its long-standing reputation for graduating singers with a technique able to serve them throughout their careers. Each faculty member is a professional performer with unique areas of expertise. The faculty is known for creating a collegial, supportive atmosphere, working with singers in lessons, studio, classroom and productions. The rich curriculum prepares artists for their next steps. CCM singers populate the top young artist programs, stages and competitions around the world. While undergraduates may participate in graduate operas, CCM is proud to have its own dedicated undergrad program, Opera d’arte.

This four-year program covers a complete range of academic and performance activities. Senior year includes a requirement for six hours a week of Opera Workshop, studying movement, acting and role preparation that culminates in a fully-staged performance of opera scenes. Advanced students audition for roles in CCM's mainstage opera productions and studio and workshop presentations.

Learn More About the BM Program

Candidates are offered a wide range of practical and academic classes, including foreign languages and diction, oratorio and vocal repertoire. In the first year, six hours per week of opera training is required, which covers movement, acting and work on opera scenes. In the second year, students can continue with classes in opera characterization, opera coaching and opera production. Students audition for major roles in mainstage opera productions, and studio and workshop performances.

Learn More About the MM Program

The program is designed to promote the development of superior performing musicians and teachers. It offers singers with a high degree of proficiency and artistry a comprehensive selection of classes in music literature, music history and performance practices, with electives covering a broad range of classes in the Opera Department, and numerous opportunities to perform in recital and on the opera stage.

Learn More About the DMA Program

CCM's admissions process begins on August 1 (undergraduate) and September 1 (graduate) for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 1 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Voice - BM

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be invited for an audition/interview and considered for admissions.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Two Art Songs (one in English, one in another language).
    • While not technically art song, arias from the 24/26 Italian Songs and Arias books are examples of permissible repertoire.
    • Oratorio arias written before 1750 are permissible. 

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • The same repertoire selections may be used for pre-screening and live auditions 
  • Double Major applicants in BM (Voice Performance) and BM (Music Education) will be required to sight-sing as part of the Music Education Assessment. 
  • BM (Voice Performance) auditions do not require sight-singing.

Voice - MM

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be invited for an audition/interview and considered for admissions.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • 2 operatic arias of differing styles
  • 4 Art Songs
  • Language requirements: English and at least 2 languages chosen from Italian/Spanish, German, and French must be presented
  • Upload the Opera Scholarship Competition application (if you wish to be considered)

Audition

Audition Requirements
  • Four Art Songs of contrasting styles and periods in English, French, German and Italian
  • Two arias (one may be from an oratorio)
  • Upload audition repertoire list and music (PDF) to Acceptd.
Audition Dates
  • January 25 (on campus)
  • February 7 (on campus)
  • February 8 (on campus)
  • February 14 (on campus)
  • February 15 (on campus)

Recorded auditions are not permitted.

Opera Scholarship Competition: MM, DMA, AD Opera (Vocal Track) Applicants Only

To be considered for the Opera Scholarship Competition, you must complete and upload the application form along with your required pre-screening materials in Acceptd.

If invited to audition for your applied degree program, applicants must also prepare the following for the preliminary round audition (the preliminary round audition occurs on the same date as your assigned degree audition date):

  • Two arias (if applying for MM or DMA voice, the two required for the degree program plus two others so, a total of 4 arias should be performed during your audition)
  • AD Opera (vocal track) applicants will only need to upload the Opera Scholarship Competition application in Acceptd. Your audition which is 4 arias will fulfill the requirement to be considered.
View & Download 2024 Opera Scholarship Competition Application

Voice - DMA

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance is designed for the combination of artist, scholar and teacher.  The successful DMA candidate exhibits an exceptional level of performance, has scholarly interests, and is motivated to prepare for a teaching career.

  • 4 Art Songs
    • 1 in English
    • At least 2 languages chosen from Italian/Spanish, German and French must be presented
  • 2 operatic arias in different languages
  • A complete repertoire list should be uploaded.  This should include art song organized by language, operatic roles, oratorio solos, and chamber music performed.
  • Upload the Opera Scholarship Competition application (if you wish to be considered) 
  • A current resume should be uploaded.  In addition to performances, please be sure it includes:
    • A list of your most recent teachers and the dates when you studied with them
    • Degrees earned (or to be earned) and the institution where you studied
    • Master classes where you performed – please list the teacher and date
    • Teaching experience (if any)

DMA applicants must submit two writing samples:

  • One academic paper – papers written during MM academic tenure are acceptable. Topics should be historical and/or theoretical treatments of a musical subject. Papers shall be no less than 10 pages in length. Standard formatting and footnotes are required.
  • One essay – composed on current and future trends in classical vocal music. Submitted essays must be 1-2 pages in length in PDF format. Essays must address: the role of classical singing in contemporary American culture; changes that have occurred and/or should occur; and future possibilities for this art form. Considerations may include: resources of talent, finance, venue and medium; both new and standard repertoire; audience. DMA applicants need not address all of these elements. One or two topics of interest may be chosen and discussed.

Audition

Audition Requirements

  • 1 Italian or Spanish Art Song
  • 1 French mélodie
  • 1 German Lied
  • 1 English Art Song
  • 2 operatic arias in two different languages
  • 1 Oratorio/Cantata/Mass aria
  • 1 art song or aria of your choice in any language

All pieces must be performed from memory, including the aria from an Oratorio, Mass or Cantata.

DMA applicants will have a separate interview with the Voice Faculty on the day of their in-person audition.  

Audition & Interview Dates (on campus)
  • February 7-8

Recorded auditions are not permitted.

Additional Information

A cognate is declared by all DMA students at CCM.  It enables students to develop a secondary field of expertise. A minimum of 9 credit hours of specified course requirements are determined in consultation with the student’s Cognate committee chair, and approved by the student’s faculty advisor, Division Head and Director of Graduate Studies. Examples of Cognate areas include, but are not limited to, Choral Conducting, Pedagogy, Opera Direction, Arts Administration, specific areas of vocal repertoire/language, Music History, etc. Applicants should be prepared to discuss a potential area of interest for a Cognate during the interview at the in-person audition.

Voice Graduate Assistantship

Application Requirements

  • Experience in teaching voice required
  • Email professional resume including teaching and work experience to Professor Daniel Weeks. 
  • Interviews will take place in conjunction with applicant’s live audition
  • Preference will be given to DMA applicants

Opera Scholarship Competition: MM, DMA, AD Opera (Vocal Track) Applicants Only

To be considered for the Opera Scholarship Competition, you must upload the completed application form along with your required pre-screening materials in Acceptd.

Applicants must also prepare the following for the preliminary round audition (the preliminary round audition occurs on the same date as your assigned degree audition date):

  • Two arias (if applying for MM or DMA voice, the two required for the degree program plus two others so, a total of 4 arias should be performed during your audition)
  • AD Opera (vocal track) applicants will only need to upload the Opera Scholarship Competition application in Acceptd. Your audition which is 4 arias will fulfill the requirement to be considered. 
View & Download 2024 Opera Scholarship Competition Application

Voice Faculty

Headshot of Quinn Patrick Ankrum

Quinn Patrick Ankrum, 

Associate Professor of Voice

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Headshot of Kaylyn Baldwin

Kaylyn Baldwin, 

Adjunct Instructor of Voice

513-556-3442

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Headshot of Gwendolyn M. Coleman

Gwendolyn M. Coleman, 

Professor of Voice

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Headshot of Amy S. Johnson

Amy S. Johnson, 

J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair of Opera; Professor of Voice (Soprano)

267-980-3956

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Headshot of Wendy LeBorgne

Wendy LeBorgne, 

Adjunct Assistant Professor

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Headshot of Karen Lykes

Karen Lykes, 

Dieterle Chair of Music in memory of George Andreas and Elsa Fishcher Dieterle; Professor of Voice

513-556-9516

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Headshot of Elliot Madore

Elliot Madore, 

Associate Professor of Voice

513-556-5532

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Headshot of Kenneth B. Shaw

Kenneth B. Shaw, 

Professor of Voice

513-556-9561

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Headshot of Daniel Weeks

Daniel Weeks, 

Professor of Voice

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Voice Department Chair

Headshot of Karen Lykes

Karen Lykes, 

Dieterle Chair of Music in memory of George Andreas and Elsa Fishcher Dieterle; Professor of Voice

513-556-9516

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Performance Studies Division Head and Staff

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James Bunte, 

Division Head of Performance Studies; Professor of Saxophone

303-236-5900

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Headshot of Sarah Minneman

Sarah Minneman, 

Chamber Music Coordinator

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Headshot of Claudia C. Penn

Claudia C. Penn, 

Executive Staff Assistant

513-556-3442

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Artist Diploma in Opera

Opera, the synthesis of music, visual art, design, theater, dance and literature, is well represented by CCM’s formidable vocal, instrumental and theatrical production programs with talented students in these areas being mentored by internationally acclaimed faculty.

Our renowned faculty manages the intense curriculum which focuses on career aspects including acting, movement/dance, career development, score/libretti analysis, nuances of style and language, guaranteed performance opportunities, and regular conduits to industry professionals."

CCM’s artist diploma tracks (voice, coaching and directing) are elite refining experiences which immerse artists into one of the most comprehensive programs in the world.  Our renowned faculty manages the intense curriculum which focuses on career aspects including acting, movement/dance, career development, score/libretti analysis, nuances of style and language, guaranteed performance opportunities, and regular conduits to industry professionals.

one of the continent's major music schools

The Toronto Star

The program is limited to 12 singers who will perform at least four major roles in fully-staged productions. Students receive private coaching, intensive actor training and role preparation together with movement, period dance, language, audition and career management classes, and master classes with some of the finest artists in the world of opera.

Learn More About the AD Program (Vocal Performance)

In one of the few programs of its type in the nation, students develop linguistic, pianistic and coaching skills in the context of fully prepared original language productions. Opportunities are available to study conducting and take a wide range of vocal, stylistic and interpretative classes.

Learn More About the AD Program (Coaching)

Candidates of proven ability and experience have a program tailored to their individual developmental needs, covering directing theory and practice, as well as acting, musical and foreign language skills, and areas of design and technical theater production. Students work as Assistant Directors on major productions and direct three productions of their own.

Learn More About the AD Program (Stage Direction)

CCM's graduate admissions process begins on September 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. All application materials must be submitted on or before December 3 to be considered for specific scholarship awards. Visit the CCM Admissions website for additional application instructions.

Opera AD - Coaching Track

Pre-screening

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • CV or resume in demonstration of their experience working with singers, playing for opera, experience with languages, etc. 
  • Recordings are NOT required during the prescreening stage

Audition

Audition Requirements

Applicants must prepare one selection from each of the following categories (at least one selection must be played and sung simultaneously)

  1. One Mozart aria, with recitative, from the following list: 
    • “In quali eccessi, o numi... Mi tradi” from Don Giovanni 
    • “Crudele, ah no, mio bene... Non mir dir” from Don Giovanni 
    • “Hai già vinta la causa” from Le nozze di Figaro
    • “Temerari, sortite fuori di questo loco... Come scoglio” from Cosi fan tutte
    • “E Susanna non vien... Dove sono” from Le nozze di Figaro
  2. One Puccini aria from the following list: 
    • “Si, mi chiamano Mimì” from La bohème 
    • “Che gelida manina” from La bohème 
    • “Donde lieta” from La bohème
  3. One 20th Century aria from the following list:*
    • “No word from Tom” from Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress (complete)
    • “Here I stand” from Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress 
    • “Sein wir wieder gut” from Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos 
    • “Grossmächtige Prinzessin” from Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos
    • *In exceptional situations, with approval of the Opera Coaching faculty, this selection could be substituted for a solo work demonstrating technical abilities.
  4. One ensemble from the following list: 
    • Sextet from Don Giovanni “Sola, sola in buio loco” 
    • Quartet from Rigoletto
  5. Prepare an aria that you will coach in your audition. We ask that you send us a list of possibilities to Professor Marie-France Lefebvre (short arias are welcome – “Ach ich fuhl’s, Di Provenza”...). A singer will be provided at the audition.
  6. Sight-reading
Audition Date (on campus)
  • February 7-8
Additional Information
  • Applicants should already have earned a bachelor’s degree with college-level proficiency in two languages from French, German or Italian 
  • The program is extremely competitive with no more than four students enrolled in any given year

Opera AD - Vocal Track

Pre-screening

The application for AD Opera Stage Directing is closed for Fall 2025 consideration.

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • Four operatic arias (video with high quality sound fidelity). Examples should not be sound enhanced. Videos may be from live performances (not split) of opera in which the student has recently appeared (please only send a five-minute clip cued to your specific excerpt), as well as the solo presentation of four operatic arias.
  • Upload the Opera Scholarship Competition application to Acceptd.

Audition

Audition
  • Four arias in total
    • One in English
    • One in Italian
    • One in EITHER French or German
    • One as the singer prefers
Audition Date (on campus)
  • February 7-8

Recorded auditions are not permitted.

Opera Scholarship Competition: MM, DMA, AD Opera (Vocal Track) Applicants Only

To be considered for the Opera Scholarship Competition, you must upload the completed application form along with your required pre-screening materials in Acceptd.

Applicants must also prepare the following for the preliminary round audition (the preliminary round audition occurs on the same date as your assigned degree audition date):

  • Two arias (if applying for MM or DMA voice, the two required for the degree program plus two others so, a total of 4 arias should be performed during your audition)
  • AD Opera (vocal track) applicants will only need to upload the Opera Scholarship Competition application in Acceptd. Your audition which is 4 arias will fulfill the requirement to be considered. 

Opera AD - Stage Directing

The application for AD Opera Stage Directing is closed for Fall 2025 consideration.

Pre-screening

The application for AD Opera Stage Directing is closed for Fall 2025 consideration.

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an audition.

Pre-screening Requirements
  • A 3 to 5-page artistic statement 
  • A portfolio containing visual representation (video, photographs) of your directing work
  • Biography 
  • CV

Audition

The application for AD Opera Stage Directing is closed for Fall 2025 consideration.

Once the application and pre-screening materials are submitted, selected applicants will be scheduled by the Opera Department for a phone interview.

Additional Information
  • The Stage-Directing program is extremely competitive with no more than two students enrolled per year
  • Applicants should already have earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree or have equivalent professional experience as a stage director in the field
  • Proficiency in French, German and Italian and Music literacy is preferred
  • Applicants are expected to have already directed fully-staged theatre, music theatre and/or opera productions either with piano or orchestra

Opera Faculty

Headshot of Vincent DeGeorge

Vincent DeGeorge, 

Patricia A. Corbett Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre and the Joseph Weinberger Chair of Acting for the Lyric Stage

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Headshot of Robin A. Guarino

Robin A. Guarino, 

Professor of Opera

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Lisa Sarah Hasson, 

Instructor - Adj Ann

513-556-5803

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Headshot of Amy S. Johnson

Amy S. Johnson, 

J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair of Opera; Professor of Voice (Soprano)

267-980-3956

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Headshot of Kirill Kuzmin

Kirill Kuzmin, 

Associate Professor of Opera/Vocal Coaching

513-556-5803

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Headshot of Marie-France Lefebvre

Marie-France Lefebvre, 

Professor of Opera/Voice Coaching

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Headshot of Susan Moser

Susan Moser, 

Instructor - Adjunct

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Headshot of Brian Robertson

Brian Robertson, 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Opera

513-2274820

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Opera Department Chair

Headshot of Amy S. Johnson

Amy S. Johnson, 

J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair of Opera; Professor of Voice (Soprano)

267-980-3956

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Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration Division Head and Staff

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Rebecca Bromels, 

Division Head of Theatre Arts, Production and Arts Administration (TAPAA); Chair and Associate Professor of Arts Administration

513-556-5803

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Jen Lampson, 

TAPAA Production Manager

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Deborah Neiheisel-DeZarn, 

TAPAA Program Manager

513-556-5803

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For an effort still in its first decade, [OF:NW has] an enviable track record.

Opera News

Opera Fusion: New Works

Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) is a dynamic partnership between CCM and Cincinnati Opera. Created in 2011 to foster the development of new American operas, OF:NW has grown into a nationally recognized collaboration which advances new repertoire and serves as an inspiring example of a successful joint venture between an educational institution and a professional performing arts organization. 

OF:NW offers composers or composer/librettist teams the chance to workshop an opera during a 10-day residency in Cincinnati. Residencies utilize the facilities, personnel, and talent of both CCM and Cincinnati Opera. The workshops are cast with a combination of CCM students and professional artists, and each workshop concludes with a recording of the full opera and a free public presentation of excerpts followed by an audience Q&A session. A few notable examples of this collaboration are Fellow Travelers, The Hours, Eurydice and Intimate Apparel.

Learn more about Opera Fusion: New Works

News and Events

1

CCM Opera presents gripping chamber opera 'Dark Sisters'

April 3, 2025

CCM Opera concludes its 2024-25 season with Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters, a harrowing journey of repression and self-discovery. Inspired by real events, the story follows one woman’s attempt to change the course of her life and escape the FLDS Church (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints), a polygamous sect that split from the mainstream Mormon Church more than a century ago. The opera runs April 3-5 in Cohen Family Studio Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

3

CCM alumna wins Met Opera's Laffont Competition

March 23, 2025

UC College-Conservatory of Music alumna Emma Marhefka, soprano (MM Voice ’23) has "won the Met" in the grand finals of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. One of the most prestigious singing competitions in the world, the Laffont Competition finals took place on March 16, with singers accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Five singers won the finals including Marhefka. CCM singer Samuel Kidd, baritone (MM Voice ‘21), also competed in the final round.

4

REVIEW: CCM's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' an 'exuberant triumph

March 10, 2025

The Cincinnati Business Courier praises UC College-Conservatory of Music's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Presented as part of the Opera Series on March 6-9, the production was directed by Robin Guarino and conducted by alumni guest artist William Langley.

5

CCM Opera presents Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Event: March 6, 2025 12:00 AM

Step into a world of enchantment as the UC College-Conservatory of Music's Opera Series presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream." This opera fuses William Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy with Benjamin Britten's stunning musical score. This captivating production, directed by CCM Opera Professor Robin Guarino, offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale, exploring themes of love, transformation, and the power of the natural world.

6

Opera Fusion: New Works program extended by three years

February 13, 2025

Cincinnati Opera has announced a generous donation in support of Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW), its joint creative venture with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). The company has received an anonymous gift that will extend OF:NW by three years.

7

CCM hosts Moveable Feast gala fundraiser on Jan. 24, 2025

Event: January 24, 2025 12:00 AM

UC College-Conservatory of Music hosts its Moveable Feast fundraising gala live and in-person on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Presented by CCMpower, a dedicated volunteer group of friends, advocates and alumni, Moveable Feast 2025: A Tempo generates essential support for the next generation of performing and media artists at CCM. Learn more about the event's "artistic menu" in our digital program!

9

VOTE: BroadwayWorld Awards highlight CCM excellence

December 4, 2024

Each year, BroadwayWorld recognizes excellence in regional theater through its online awards. This year, CCM students, faculty and productions received a total of 58 nominations across nearly every category for the Cincinnati Awards, once again proving that CCM is a leader in the local arts scene.

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