Tag Archives: Overture Awards

CINCINNNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is proud to present the 2015 Overture Awards Finals Competition. The Overture Awards provides $4,000 each to six area high school students for education and training expenses, with 18 finalists each winning $1,000.

The Overture Awards Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Winners will be announced immediately following the competition.

This year, 465 students were nominated by their schools to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

The Overture Awards Regional Competitions were held on January 10 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Immanuel United Methodist Church (Lakeside Park, KY), Saint Ursula Academy, University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College, and Xavier University. The top 20 percent of competitors in each discipline advanced to the Semi-Finals, which were held at the Aronoff Center on January 16 and 17. Twenty-four finalists (four in each discipline) will compete in the Finals Competition at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater on February 28.

Now in its 19th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a program of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce). The Overture Awards is funded and administered by the Cincinnati Arts Association, which operates and manages the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Overture Awards also relies on hundreds of volunteers from the community who help raise funds, adjudicate and manage the competitions, and nurture the program.

Overture Awards Program Sponsors:  Carey Digital; Citi; The Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

Scholarship Sponsors: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation; Summerfair Cincinnati; Western & Southern Financial.

Competition Sponsors: Buddy Roger’s Music, Immanuel United Methodist Church (Lakeside Park, KY), St. Ursula Academy, University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College, Xavier University.

THE 2015 OVERTURE AWARDS FINALISTS

CREATIVE WRITING

• Zoe Cheng—grade 12, Walnut Hills High School
• Katie Hibner—grade 12, William Mason High School
• Meg Spencer—grade 12, Beechwood High School
• Alexandra Sukin—grade 12, Cincinnati Country Day School

DANCE

• Jordan Betscher—grade 11, Just Off Broadway/Homeschool
• Joseph Harrington—grade 10, Just Off Broadway/School for Creative and Performing Arts
• Megan Kernan—grade 12, Just Off Broadway/Turpin High School
•  Mary Moore—grade 11, School for Creative and Performing Arts

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

• Emma Burge—grade 11, Sycamore High School
• Isabella Geis—grade 11, Walnut Hills High School
• David Godar—grade 9, CCM Preparatory/Sycamore High School
• Matthew Repka—grade 12, Conner High School

THEATER

• Kennedy Carstens—grade 12, Ursuline Academy
• Sam Johnson—grade 11, Boone County High School
• Kalie Kaimann—grade 12, Seton High School
• Victoria Shields—grade 11, Bray Music Studio/Lakota East High School

VISUAL ART  

• Claire Bowman—grade 12, Walnut Hills High School
• Phoenix Brown—grade 12, School for Creative and Performing Arts
• Clair Hopper—grade 12, Ursuline Academy
• Jaye Johnson—grade 12, Wyoming High School

VOCAL MUSIC   

• Mackenzie Jacquemin—grade 12, Wyoming High School
• Jake Kolesar—grade 12, Walnut Hills High School
• James Rootring—grade 11, Karl Resnik Studio/Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
• Logan Wagner—grade 11, Dixie Heights High School

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 600,000 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 more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.3 million students.

CAA is proud to be a member of Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education, Cincinnati USAConvention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, and Performing Arts Center Consortium.

WHAT:                 2015 Overture Awards – Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony

WHERE:               Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

WHEN:                 Saturday, February 28, 2015 – 1:00 PM

TICKETS:               $15 • $10

INFO:                    The 2015 Overture Awards competition provides $4,000 each to six area high school students for education and training expenses with 18 finalists each winning $1,000. Students compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

www.CincinnatiArts.org
(513) 621-ARTS [2787]
Aronoff Center Ticket Office

Neal Schulte
and Dance Pro Leigh Bradshaw
Crowned New Dancing for the Stars Champs 

Schulte also named ‘Fundraising Champion’

CINCINNATI, OH – Neal Schulte (Founder & President, Schulte Financial Group, LLC) and his dance pro Leigh Bradshaw (Cincinnati Ballroom Company) received a near-perfect score of 28 (out of 30), taking first place at the Cincinnati Arts Association’s eighth-annual Dancing for the Stars on Saturday, April 12, at the Music Hall Ballroom. Schulte also took home the ‘Fundraising Champion’ Award, as the celebrity who raised the most money for the event through ticket sales and donations.

With an audience of more than 800 guests (a new attendance record), the sold-out event raised a record amount in support of CAA’s acclaimed arts education programs, including the Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally-run high school arts scholarship competition.

Keith Wilson, MD, FACS (Chief of Staff, UC Health) and Desiree Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati) took second place; and Britney Ruby Miller (Director of Operations, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment) and J. Patrick Clements (Step-n-Out Studio) placed third.

The remaining four dance pairs included:

• Linda Bessey (Faux Painter) and Jeremy Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati)
• Rick Pawlak (Managing Director, Ultimate Air Shuttle) and Grace de Guia (Dare to Dance)
• Kay Smith-Yount (Philanthropist; Wife of The Cincinnati Herald Editor-in-Chief, Dan Yount) and Jozsef Parragh (Independent Dance Instructor)
• Christianna Stephens (Philanthropist; CEO, A Lice in Wonderland) and Brian McNamee (Cincinnati Ballroom Company)

Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2014 featured seven Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program, at which the audience vote propelled the winners to victory. The competitive dance for the evening was Swing, and each dance pair had 90 seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

Event emcees were Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle (“Married With Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM).

The three competition judges were Douglas Beal (independent dance instructor), Doreen Beatrice (Step-n-Out Studio; Dancing for the Stars 2013 champion), and Dr. Michael Leadbetter (cosmetic surgeon, Plastic Surgery Group; Dancing for the Stars 2012 celebrity alum and Fundraising Champion)

The Dancing for the Stars 2014 Committee: Dr. Tracey Skale (chair, Dancing for the Stars 2011 champ), Phil Schworer, Christina Bolden, Terry Foster, Sue Gilkey, Jim Howland, Ginger Loftin, and Rosemary Schlachter.

Dancing for the Stars 2014 Presenting Sponsor: UC Health

Dancing for the Stars 2014 Event Sponsors: Stock Yards Bank & Trust, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Bonita Brockert, Carey Digital, Cincinnati Ballroom Company, Dare to Dance, Heidelberg Distributing, Jozsef Parragh, Pebble Creek Group, and Step-n-Out Studio.

Currently in its eighth year, Dancing for the Stars has become one of the most-anticipated fundraising events of the season. Since the event’s debut in 2007, 57 local celebs have ‘danced for a cause’, and the impressive list of past champions includes: 2007 – Dr. O’dell Owens (President, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; former Hamilton County Coroner); 2008 – Jenell Walton (Reporter, The List; former WCPO-TV9 Anchor and Reporter); 2009 – Phil Schworer (President – Cincinnati Bar Association / Environmental Lawyer); 2010 – Donna Speigel (Owner, The Snooty Fox); 2011 – Dr. Tracey Skale, M.D. (Chief Medical Officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services), 2012 – Regina Russo (Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Art Museum), and 2013 – Chris Seelbach (Cincinnati City Councilman).

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2014 featured:

• Dinner-by-the-bite provided by A Catered Affair, Brio Tuscan Grille, Carlo & Johnny, City Barbeque, Eddie Merlot’s, Funky’s Catering, Jeff Thomas Catering, Kroger, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Palomino Restaurant & Bar, Prime 47, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Skyline Chili, The Bliss Factor, Tres Belles Cakes, Valet Coffee, Vonderhaar’s Catering, Inc., and Whole Foods Market.
• Silent auction
• The swinging sounds of Sound Body Jazz Orchestra
• Popular DJ and 103.5 WGRR personality Rockin’ Ron Schumacher
• Pre-event wine tasting and meet-and-greet with the stars
• Open dancing before and after the competition

Event highlights included:

• Financial guru and body-builder Neal Schulte scored the night’s only perfect 10 with a dance routine to Great Balls of Fire, complete with a bright-red jacket, a set of push-ups, and impressive choreography with his dance pro Leigh Bradshaw.
• A West Coast swing tribute to Michael Jackson, featuring a moon walk and a flash mob of more than a dozen dancers, from second-place finishers Dr. Keith Wilson & Desiree Mainous.
• Third-place winner Britney Ruby Miller showed off her splits and spins in a sailor-attired, spirited swing with partner J. Patrick Clements.
• This season’s senior celeb, Kay Smith-Yount, graced the dance floor with her inimitable style, elegance, and charm, winning the heart of her dance partner, Jozsef Parragh.
• Rick Pawlak paid tribute to The Great Gatsby by dancing with not one, but two, lovely ladies, including his dance pro Grace de Guia.
• Christianna Stephens wowed the audience with her stunning, beaded, form-fitting dress with a fringed skirt and her equally impressive dance moves with pro Brian McNamee.
• Linda Bessey played hard to get with Jeremy Mainous in a country-themed swing to Toby Keith’s “I Like Girls That Drink Beer.”
• An encore dance by last season’s champions, Chris Seelbach and Doreen Beatrice, to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
• Creatively-choreographed and expertly-executed exhibition dances by the Dancing for the Stars pros, including a department-store-mannequin themed cha cha / hip hop routine danced by Grace de Guia & Terri Ann Atkinson.
• Broadway razzle-dazzle in the showcase performance by 2014 Overture Award dance winner, Lauren Slouffman, who danced to “All That Jazz” from the hit-musical Chicago.
• Humorous, astute, and supportive comments from the Dancing for the Stars panel of judges.
• The sold-out event had an exceptionally responsive, raucous, and energetic audience, which included large cheering sections holding signs with various messages.
• After the competition, the dance floor at the Music Hall Ballroom filled with the evening’s guests who danced the night away to music by DJ Rockin’ Ron from 103.5 WGRR.
• Emcees Chris & Janeen kept the crowd entertained between the stars’ dance routines.

CAA’s OVERTURE AWARDS AND ARTS EDUCTION PROGRAMS
The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition is the largest locally-run arts scholarship competition in the country. The program annually provides a $3,500 scholarship to six area high school students for education and training, with 18 finalists each winning a $750 scholarship. Each year, more than 450 students are nominated by their schools to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art or Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools. Now in its 18th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation and Leadership Cincinnati (a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce program).

Since its inception in 1995, the Cincinnati Arts Association’s (CAA) Education and Community Programs have reached more than 1.3 million Tri-state students and have promoted learning through the arts by developing opportunities that are diverse, multi-disciplinary, and accessible to all ages and cultural groups. Through projects with artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions, CAA promotes the arts as an integral part of our community. For more information, visit http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/education-community.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management 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 more than 600,000 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 more than one dozen resident companies.

$34,500 Awarded in Arts Scholarships

CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Arts Association is pleased to announce the winners of its Overture Awards Scholarship Competition, held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. The competition annually awards $3,500 scholarships to six area students for education and training, with 18 runners-up each winning $750 scholarships.

Students are nominated by their schools and/or private studios to compete in one of six disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art or Vocal Music. The scholarship program is the largest of its kind in the United States and was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final and Final.

2014 OVERTURE AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

CREATIVE WRITING: Zoe Cheng – Walnut Hills High School, grade 11

HOMETOWN: Hyde Park, OH – Zoe has collected awards from national institutions like the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and YoungArts. She owes her current passion to her supportive family and a childhood filled with books. She plans to pursue a screenwriting career, and wishes that her writing always be a reflection of the truth.

DANCE: Lauren Slouffman – Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, grade 10

HOMETOWN: Anderson Township, OH – Lauren has studied dance at Just Off Broadway since the age of three. She has received numerous awards for her dance achievements including being named as an Overture Awards semi-finalist in 2013. She aspires to dance on Broadway and continue to share her love of performing with audiences of all ages.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: Joseph Vaz – Practice to Prosper Piano Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 11

HOMETOWN: Blue Ash, OH – Joseph has played the piano for eight years and plans to pursue it in college. He has played at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall and has opened for Sean Chen, Crystal Award Winner at the Van Cliburn Competition. Recently, he won the New Horizons Piano Competition and DePauw University’s Piano Competition.

THEATER: Melissa Campbell – McCready Voice Studio / Wyoming High School, grade 10

HOMETOWN: Wyoming, OH – Melissa has loved singing since she performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for Santa Claus at the age of four. She was introduced to musical theater when she was nine, and has been training and performing ever since. She hopes to major in musical theater in college and make it her profession.

VISUAL ART: Paige Schlosser – Kings High School, grade 12

HOMETOWN: Maineville, OH – Paige’s love of drawing and painting started at an early age, but through a growing digital art program at her school she’s been introduced to digital design, photography, and film. She has loved experimenting with many art forms. Her scope of interest goes all the way from her series in digital collage to taking classes such as woodworking at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Paige says she finds a lot of inspiration in Cincinnati’s local artists. “Cincinnati is developing into more of an arts district. Just from being around and meeting other local artists, I’ve been challenged to develop my art further outside the scope of the small community I’ve grown up in.” She plans on studying documentary film at Columbia College in Chicago starting this fall.

VOCAL MUSIC: James Rootring – Karl Resnik Studio / Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, grade 10

HOMETOWN: Hyde Park, OH – James became interested in vocal performance after attending a CCM Prep musical theater summer camp in 2009. Today, he performs in the Young Artists Professional Program at the Musical Arts Center, his church band, and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s theater, choir, and band. He would like to thank the teaching team at the Musical Arts Center for their expert vocal coaching and encouragement.

 

The Overture Awards Regional Competitions were held on January 11 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Immanuel United Methodist Church (Lakeside Park, KY), Saint Ursula Academy, University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College, and Xavier University. The top 20 percent of competitors in each discipline advanced to the Semi-Finals, which were held at the Aronoff Center on January 17 & 18.

Now in its 18th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a program of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce). The Overture Awards is funded and administered by the Cincinnati Arts Association, which operates and manages the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Overture Awards also relies on hundreds of volunteers from the community who help raise funds, adjudicate and manage the competitions, and nurture the program.

Overture Awards Program Sponsors: Carey Digital; Citi; The Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.

Scholarship Sponsors: Arthur Murray – Cincinnati; Doreen Beatrice; Douglas Beal; Bonita Brockert; Cincinnati Ballroom; Dare to Dance; The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Jozsef Parragh; Step N Out Studio; Stock Yards Bank & Trust; Summerfair Cincinnati; Western & Southern Financial; The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation.

Competition Sponsors: Buddy Roger’s Music, Immanuel United Methodist Church (Lakeside Park, KY), St. Ursula Academy, University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College, Xavier University.

THE 2014 OVERTURE AWARDS FINALISTS
Winners listed in bold.

CREATIVE WRITING

• Zoe Cheng – Walnut Hills High School, grade 11
• Katie Hibner – William Mason High School, grade 11
• Bridget Nicholas – Scott High School, grade 12
• Rachel Zinck – Mt. Notre Dame High School, grade 11

DANCE

• Claire Barrington – Northern Cincinnati Youth Ballet (NCYB Dance) / Ohio Virtual Academy, grade 11
• Ally Garcia – Campbell County High School, grade 12
• Megan Kernan – Just Off Broadway / Turpin High School, grade 11
• Lauren Slouffman – Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, grade 10

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

• Emma Burge – Sycamore High School, grade 10
• Caroline Gao – Leung Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 10
• Isabella Geis – Walnut Hills High School, grade 10
• Joseph Vaz – Practice to Prosper Piano Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 11

THEATER

• Melissa Campbell – McCready Voice Studio / Wyoming High School, grade 10
• Eli Davis – Cincinnati Actor’s Studio / School for Creative and Performing Arts, grade 12
• Keegan Doyle – St. Xavier High School, grade 12
• Kalie Kaimann – Seton High School, grade 11

VISUAL ART

• Ruby Brooke – School for Creative and Performing Arts, grade 12
• Kathryn Holaday – Lakota West High School, grade 12
• Kyle Perrigo – Lakota East High School, grade 12
• Paige Schlosser – Kings High School, grade 12

VOCAL MUSIC

• Mackenzie Jacquemin – Wyoming High School, grade 11
• James Rootring – Karl Resnik Studio / Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, grade 10
• Elizabeth Rosenberg – Karl Resnik Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 12
• Natalie Sheppard – Dixie Heights High School, grade 12

TOMORROW’S STARS 

FINALS COMPETITION AND AWARDS CEREMONY

The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is proud to present the 2014 Overture Awards Scholarship Competition – the largest locally-run arts scholarship competition in the country. The Overture Awards annually provides a $3,500 scholarship to six area high school students for education and training expenses, with 18 finalists each winning a $750 scholarship.

The Overture Awards Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 1:00 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Winners will be announced immediately following the competition.

This year, 466 students were nominated by their schools to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools. There are three levels of competition: Regionals, Semi-Finals, and Finals.

The Overture Awards Regional Competitions were held on January 11 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Immanuel United Methodist Church (Lakeside Park, KY), Saint Ursula Academy, University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College, and Xavier University. The top 20 percent of competitors in each discipline advanced to the Semi-Finals, which were held at the Aronoff Center on January 17 and 18. Twenty-four finalists (four in each discipline) will compete in the Finals Competition at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater on March 1.

Now in its 18th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a program of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce). The Overture Awards is funded and administered by the Cincinnati Arts Association, which operates and manages the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Overture Awards also relies on hundreds of volunteers from the community who help raise funds, adjudicate and manage the competitions, and nurture the program.

Overture Awards Program Sponsors: Carey Digital; Citi; The Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee Scholarship Sponsors: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Stock Yards Bank & Trust; The William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation; Summerfair Cincinnati; Western & Southern Financial. Competition Sponsors: Buddy Roger’s Music, Immanuel United Methodist Church (Lakeside Park, KY), St. Ursula Academy, University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash College, Xavier University.

THE 2014 OVERTURE AWARDS FINALISTS

CREATIVE WRITING

• Zoe Cheng – Walnut Hills High School, grade 11
• Katie Hibner – William Mason High School, grade 11
• Bridget Nichols – Scott High School, grade 12
• Rachel Zinck – Mt. Notre Dame High School, grade 11

DANCE

• Claire Barrington – Northern Cincinnati Youth Ballet (NCYB Dance) / Ohio Virtual Academy, grade 11
• Ally Garcia – Campbell County High School, grade 12
• Megan Kernan – Just Off Broadway / Turpin High School, grade 11
• Lauren Slouffman – Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, grade 10

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

• Emma Burge – Sycamore High School, grade 10
• Carolyn Gao – Leung Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 10
• Isabella Geis – Walnut Hills High School, grade 10
• Joseph Vaz – Practice to Prosper Piano Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 11

THEATER

• Melissa Campbell – McCready Voice Studio / Wyoming High School, grade 10
• Eli Davis – Cincinnati Actor’s Studio / School for Creative and Performing Arts, grade 12
• Keegan Doyle – St. Xavier High School, grade 12
• Kalie Kaimann – Seton High School, grade 11

VISUAL ART

• Ruby Brooke – School for Creative and Performing Arts, grade 12
• Kathryn Holaday – Lakota West High School, grade 12
• Kyle Perrigo – Lakota East High School, grade 12
• Paige Schlosser – Kings High School, grade 12

VOCAL MUSIC

• Mackenzie Jacquemin – Wyoming High School, grade 11
• James Rootring – Karl Resnick Studio / Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, grade 10
• Elizabeth Rosenberg – Karl Resnick Studio / Sycamore High School, grade 12
• Natalie Sheppard – Dixie Heights High School, grade 12

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 more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.3 million students.

CAA is proud to be a member of Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education, Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, and Performing Arts Center Consortium.

# # #

Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach
and Dance Pro Doreen Beatrice
Crowned New Dancing for the Stars Champs

CINCINNATI, OH – Chris Seelbach (Cincinnati City Councilman) and his dance pro Doreen Beatrice (Step-N-Out Studio) received a near-perfect score of 39 (out of 40) from the four judges on Saturday, April 13, at the Music Hall Ballroom, taking first place at the Cincinnati Arts Association’s seventh-annual Dancing for the Stars. With an audience of more than 750 guests (a new attendance record), the sold-out event raised over $80,000 to benefit CAA’s Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally-run high school arts scholarship competition.

Dr. Dora Savani, M.D. (Infectious Disease Specialist, St. Elizabeth Physicians) and Aaron Ordaz (Independent Dance Instructor) took second place; and Sherry Gruden (Community Volunteer; wife of Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator, Jay Gruden) and her dance pro Jeremy Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati) placed third.

The remaining five dance pairs included:

• Bob Herzog (Anchor, Local 12 WKRC) and Leigh Bradshaw (Cincinnati Ballroom Company)
• Robert Killins Jr. (Program Director, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor)
• Hengameh Nassef (Administrator, Cincinnati Neurological and Spine) and J. Patrick Clements (Step-N-Out Studio)
• Amy Scalia (Publisher, Cincy Chic) and Brian McNamee (Cincinnati Ballroom Company)
• Mike Selker (Chief Financial Officer, LaRosa’s) and Terri Ann Atkinson (Dare to Dance)

Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2013 featured eight Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program, at which the audience vote propelled the winners to victory. The competitive dance for the evening was the Samba, and each dance pair had 90 seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

Event emcees were Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle (“Married With Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM). The four competition judges were Terry Foster (Dancing for the Stars 2010 alum; RN, St. Elizabeth Health Care; community volunteer), Mandy Franceschina (Managing Director, Step-N-Out Studio; creator, Broadway Blast), Desiree Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati), and Jenell Walton (reporter, The List; Dancing for the Stars 2008 winner).

The Dancing for the Stars 2013 Committee: Dr. Tracey Skale, M.D , Chair (winner, Dancing for the Stars 2011), Christina Bolden, Terry Foster, Sue Gilkey, Jim Howland, Ginger Loftin, Rosemary Schlachter, and Phil Schworer.

Dancing for the Stars 2013 Presenting Sponsor: Stock Yards Bank & Trust

Dancing for the Stars 2013 Sponsors: Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Carey Digital, Cincinnati Ballroom Company, Dare to Dance, Heidelberg Distributing/Ohio Valley Wines, Step-N-Out Studio, Bonita Brockert, and Aaron Ordaz.

Currently in its seventh year, Dancing for the Stars has become one of the most-anticipated fundraising events of the season. Since the event’s debut in 2007, seventy-two local celebs have ‘danced for a cause’, and the impressive list of past champions includes: 2007 – Dr. O’dell Owens (President, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; former Hamilton County Coroner); 2008 – Jenell Walton (Reporter, The List; former WCPO-TV9 Anchor and Reporter); 2009 – Phil Schworer (President – Cincinnati Bar Association / Environmental Lawyer); 2010 – Donna Speigel (Owner, The Snooty Fox); 2011 – Dr. Tracey Skale, M.D. (Chief Medical Officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services), and 2012 – Regina Russo (Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Art Museum).

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2013 featured:

• Dinner-by-the-bite provided by A Catered Affair, AmandaCakes, Brio Tuscan Grille, Chef’s Choice Catering, Eddie Merlot’s, Funky’s Catering, Jeff Thomas Catering, Kroger, Palomino, Skyline, Tano Bistro & Catering, T.G.I. Friday’s Catering, Tres Belles Cakes, Valet Coffee, Vonderhaar’s Catering, Inc., and Whole Foods.
• Silent auction
• The swinging sounds of Sound Body Jazz Orchestra
• Popular DJ and 103.5 WGRR personality Rockin’ Ron Schumacher
• Pre-event wine tasting and meet-and-greet with the stars
•  Open dancing before and after the competition 

Event highlights included:

• A “Dirty Dancing” Samba to the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by the first-place dance team of Chris Seelbach and Doreen Beatrice, who channeled their inner Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, complete with risky lifts and a flash-mob of six of Chris’ supporters who joined the dance during its final moments.
• A traditional Samba by Brazilian-born Dr. Dora Savani, who wore an authentic, ruffled bronze dress that she purchased in Brazil, and who had family and friends travel all the way from Brazil to cheer her on.
• A rip-roarin’ Western Samba to the popular country song “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” by Sherry Gruden and her dance pro Jeremy Mainous (the same song to which Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke danced to win Season 2 of ABC-TV’s Dancing with the Stars).
• LOCAL 12 WKRC’s “Dance Friday” Bob Herzog, who began his athletic Samba with a “toe touch” leap from the stage (and multiple leaps afterward), and wore a much-talked-about, chest-hair revealing black shirt that was a hit with the judges and the audience.
• Hengameh Nassef took control of the dance floor in a bright lemon-yellow, fringe-covered dress to the delight of her many international fans.
• A sexy and chic Samba by Amy Scalia in a black-feathered mini-skirt, highlighted by an extended solo during which she was the only dancer on the floor for the beginning of the routine.
• The out-of-character, but Samba-appropriate, pelvic thrusts by Robert Killins delighted the audience.
• The seductive moves of Mike Selker to Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel,” which attracted a lovely trio of young women to Mike on the dance floor… during the dance!
• A mesmerizing Classical Indian dance showcase performance by 2013 Overture Award winner, Angela Vettikkal, wowed the audience.
• The sold-out event had an exceptionally responsive, raucous, and energetic audience, which included large cheering sections holding signs with various messages and making a loud racket with a variety of noise-makers (including air horns, screaming, stamping feet, etc.).
• After the competition, the dance floor at the Music Hall Ballroom filled with the evening’s guests who danced the night away to music by DJ Rockin’ Ron from 103.5 WGRR.
• Dancing for the Stars 2013 roving-reporter and man-about-town, Joe Rigotti, with his sly and humorous commentary about the competition’s fashion, celebs, and dance moves.
• Emcees Chris & Janeen kept the crowd entertained between the stars’ dance routines.

THE OVERTURE AWARDS
The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition is the largest locally-run arts scholarship competition in the country. The program annually provides a $3,000 scholarship to six area high school students for education and training, with 18 finalists each winning a $500 scholarship. Each year, more than 450 students are nominated by their schools to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art or Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools. Now in its 17th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation and Leadership Cincinnati (a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce program).

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management 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 more than 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 more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.3 million students.