as concerto soloist with the Illinois Philharmonic and Middletown Symphony, and with such artists as Roland Vazquez, Rosemary Clooney, John McNeil and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. At CCM he established the Masters Program in Jazz Studies, the Jazz Recording Studio and the Doctoral Program in Saxophone. As conductor of the CCM Jazz Ensemble, he produced four widely acclaimed CD recordings. In addition, he served as the on-air host and interviewer for the nationally syndicated radio series “Jazz-Live from the Hyatt.” Learn more about our esteemed faculty at www.ccm.uc.edu/faculty
Mark Gibson
Robin Guarino
Patricia Linhart
Sandra Rivers
Rick VanMatre
FACULTY FANFARES Michael Chertock, Assistant Professor of Piano, will perform as a soloist with the Boston Pops and Columbus Symphony in May. Chertock also substituted for Kenny G as soloist with the Louisville Orchestra and will record a CD of piano concerti by William Perry with the Irish National Orchestra in June. Mark Gibson, Director of Orchestral Studies, conducted a new production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University in November 2009. In December and January, he taught conducting masterclasses in Beijing, Chengdu and Taipei, as well as masterclasses in voice and piano at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, Maine. Robin Guarino, Associate Professor of Opera and J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair in Opera, recently directed Der Rosenkavalier at The Metropolitan Opera with Renée Fleming and Susan Graham – both for stage and for HD broadcast. In August 2009, Guarino directed Così fan tutte for the San Francisco Opera, Merola Program. She also directed a workshop of a new opera based on Italo Calvino’s book, The Invisible Cities at the inaugural year of the Yale Institute for Music-Theatre. Patricia Linhart, Adjunct Associate Professor of Voice, was a guest speaker at the Midwest Vocal Perspectives Conference, “Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation of the Performance Voice,” held in October 2009 at the University of Michigan. Linhart spoke on safe perspectives in belting. She and her pianist Julie Spangler will headline the 175th Birthday Bash for the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio on April 17. Dean Mogle, Professor and Head of Costume Design and Technology, received a USITT Peggy Ezekiel Award for Outstanding Costume Design for the CCM Opera Department’s production of Falstaff. The production was also awarded 3rd Place in its category by the National Opera Association. Sandra Rivers, Professor of Collaborative Piano, served as artistic coordinator for CCM’s 2009-2010 Steinway Hall Recital Series. Rivers performed in a recital with CCM alumnus, violinist, Timothy Schwarz at Leigh University in September 2009. She also performed with a piano trio for the Musical Soiree sponsored by the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Chamber Music Society of Southern Utah in St. George, Utah. In November, Rivers performed as a soloist, with the Wilmington Community Orchestra in Delaware. Miguel Roig-Francolí, Professor of Music Theory and Composition, has been awarded the 2010 Composer’s Commission from the Foundation for Iberian Music (CUNY, New York) for the composition Songs of the Infinite, for violin and piano to be premiered at Weill Hall (Carnegie Hall) on October 24, 2010. The second edition of his textbook Harmony in Context was just released by McGraw-Hill. He was awarded the 2010 Ramon Llull Prize of the Government of the Balearic Islands. The award honors individuals, associations or organizations which have excelled in their contributions to the Balearic community and have produced outstanding work in the fields of culture, sports, law, business, social and humanitarian work, or research. Stephanie P. Schlagel, Associate Professor of Musicology, presented her research paper “Fortune’s Fate: Josquin and the Nürnberg Mass Prints of 1539” at the July 2009 international conference Josquin and the Sublime in Middelburg, The Netherlands. Brett Scott, Assistant Professor of Conducting and Ensembles, was recently appointed editor of the Research Memorandum Series, one of two scholarly publications issued by Chorus America. Regina Truhart, Assistant Professor of Costume Technology, was appointed to the National Costume Commissioner of USITT. Rick VanMatre, Professor and Director of Jazz Studies, will retire at the end of the Spring 2010 quarter. VanMatre joined CCM in 1980 and has been named “Best Jazz Musician” by Cincinnati Magazine, Ohio Jazz Educator of the Year by the National Association of Jazz Educators and the Ernest N. Glover Outstanding Teacher at CCM. He has recorded as jazz saxophone soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, performed
CCM HOSTS PROJECT PRIDE EVENT IN SUPPORT OF UC’S PROUDLY CINCINNATI CAMPAIGN Proudly Cincinnati: Tower of Strength, Rock of Truth is the University of Cincinnati’s most ambitious campaign in history, supporting the vision for UC to become the finest urban research university in the United States. Proudly Cincinnati’s goal is to raise $1 billion by 2013. UC has passed the halfway point of its fund-raising goal, but there is still more work ahead. Through Proudly Cincinnati, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of UC provide essential monetary support. Their gifts support private scholarships, fellowships, co-op opportunities and more to help transform students’ lives and enable them to do great things for their communities and the people they serve after graduation. UC’s Project Pride is the second half of this campaign, built upon a theme of transformation—the ongoing transformation of the university itself and the transformative power UC has in the lives of individuals, our students, our communities, our society and our world. CCM’s Project Pride event on February 17 was exciting and unique, providing incredible performances from jazz, strings and musical theatre. Interim Dean Frank Weinstock and UC President Greg Williams (pictured below) both gave inspiring messages, to a standing room only crowd of faculty, staff, donors and student attendees. The noon event also kicked off a student-led initiative called Proudly Pennies. This is an effort to collect 1 billion pennies, the equivalent of $10 million, as part of UC’s Proudly Cincinnati campaign. It will be a significant contribution to the Proudly Cincinnati campaign. Proudly Pennies is spearheaded by the University of Cincinnati’s Student Government and supported by UC students. It is their way of taking ownership of the Proudly Cincinnati campaign. University of Cincinnati students will partner with the University President, Gregory H. Williams, to determine the best use for the funds generated by Proudly Pennies. CCM Student Tribunal President Jessica McCafferty spoke on behalf of the tribunal, confirming CCM student support of the Proudly Pennies initiative. A contest among CCM divisions, led by the CCM Student Tribunal, is now underway with a prize going to the division collecting the most donations. If you would like to donate to the Proudly Cincinnati/Proudly Pennies campaign, visit the CCM website at www.ccm.uc.edu. Click on the Proudly Pennies button to make your online donation.
College-Conservatory of Music P.O. Box 210003 Cincinnati, OH 45221-0003 Friends of CCM Partner
Lunch Box Series Sponsor
Jazz Series Sponsor
CHRISTOPHER DIETZ & FAMILY
Anything Goes Sponsor
PAID
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
CINCINNATI, OH PERMIT #133
1980s Diane Kay Earle (‘80 BM Piano) was invited to China for her second performance tour in 2009. She performed concerts at Shanghai Conservatory, Shenyang Conservatory, Shaoyang University and in Wuxi. She also taught master classes in piano. David Manson (’81 MM, ’97 DMA Trombone) released Infinita Bossa, a recording of classic bossa nova featuring Rio de Janeiro singer (and Manson’s wife) Andrea Moraes Manson. He continues to direct the nonprofit adventurous music presenter series EMIT and teach music technology, low brass and jazz studies at St. Petersburg College (Fla.). David Dolata (‘84 BM, ‘89 MM Classical Guitar) has been appointed director of the Florida International University School of Music in Miami. Kevin McCollum (’86 BFA Musical Theatre) is the producer of the Tony Award-winning musicals Rent, Avenue Q and In the Heights. In 2002, McCollum produced Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of Puccini’s La Boheme, which won two Tony Awards. McCollum will be honored at the 2010 Actor Fund Gala in April. Laura Orazi (‘87 BFA Flute/Music Education) is the Development Manager for Annual Fund and Alumni Relations at the Cleveland Institute of Music and is a flute instructor in the school’s preparatory division. Mary Kay Ferguson (’89 MM Flute Performance) performed as a guest artist with the Chicago Symphony, St. Louis Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra. Catherine Roma (’89 DMA Choral Conducting), director and conductor of MUSE, Cincinnati Women’s Choir, was selected as one of seven winners of a 2008 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio. Sam Samuelson (’89 BFA Musical Theatre) is an agent for film, television and theatre at Stewart Talent Management in Chicago, the largest talent agency in the Midwest. Samuelson is also responsible for putting together Stewart Talent in New
2000s Andrew Wilkowske (’00 Master’s, ’02 Artist Diploma) made his Carnegie Hall debut in March performing the role of Noah in a concert version of The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon. The concert featured the Collegiate Chorale, Nathan Gunn, Elizabeth Futral, Anthony Dean Griffey, Christine Ebersole and Victoria Clark. Wilkowske originated the role of Noah at the premiere of The Grapes of Wrath at Minnesota Opera in 2007 and is featured on a complete recording available on P.S. Classics. Franny Silverman (’01 BFA Drama) appeared in Coupling Heuristic (A Minuet) by Lauren Feldman in the 10th annual Estrogenius Festival at Manhattan Theatre Source. Lindsey Marlin (’02 BFA Drama) completed an industrial for Intel in August, and finished up another industrial for the state of Oregon’s WIC Listens. Marlin also does TV voiceovers for Fulton Homes in Arizona. Sarah Jane Fridlich (’03 BFA Drama) appeared in The Karate Guy at The 2009 Orlando Fringe Festival. She will next appear in The Leading Ladies at Theatre Winter Haven in Florida. Sara Hillner (‘03 BFA) is lead editor and preditor, producing and editing all of the episodes of the new MTV show The Buried Life. Brandon Jones (’03 BFA Drama) recently finished the new musical Jump Jim Crow and is working on a one-man piece Jitterbug, for the Universal Theatre Festival in Cape Cod. Samuel Stricklen (’03 BFA Drama) is currently an understudy for the roles of France Wicks and Officer James Hailey in the new smash hit from Tracey Letts, Superior Donuts. He will next appear in bobrauschenbergamerica, directed by Anne Bogart and with the SITI Co in New York. Stricklen also appeared in a guest-starring role on CBS in The Good Wife with Julianna Marguilies in 2009. Stacey Morrison Vespaziani (’03 BFA Drama) produced the Future Ten 6 Play Festival in Pittsburgh this fall. She also appeared in one of the shows. Eric Yellin (’04 BFA Drama) is starring in a new film called Tom’s Phone. Yellin plays the role of Tom. Evan Mack (’05 MM, ’08 DMA) recently completed an opera based on Sr. Dorothy Stang, a nun from Dayton who was murdered by hire in the Brazilian Amazon at the age of 73. The opera was selected by Encompass New Opera Theatre in New York City to be developed and produced. M. Elizabeth Fleming (’06 BM) married Frank Martignetti (’02 MM) in New Haven, Connecticut on September 5, 2009. The couple lives in Connecticut where Elizabeth is a freelance hornist and instructor of music at Southern Connecticut State University. Frank is a high school music teacher, director of choral activities at the University of Bridgeport and artistic director of the Mystic River Chorale. Marisa Weatherly (’07 BFA Drama) appeared in a production at Stone Mountain Park called A Crossroads Christmas Carol, where she played six different roles, including: Bob Cratchit, Young Scrooge, Ghost of Christmas Past and Present, Gravedigger, and the Young Boy. Sarah (Niblack) Boberg (’08 MA Arts Administration) is director of development for Theatre Aspen in Aspen, Colorado. Nathan Elam (’08 BFA Drama) is appearing Off-Broadway in The National Asian American Theatre Company production of A Play on War at the Connelly Theatre in New York. Halle Morse (’09 BFA Musical Theatre) made her Broadway debut on September 22, 2009 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Morse is playing Lisa in the on-Broadway production of Mamma Mia.
Trustee, The Huntington National Bank
1970s Lan Ackley (’72 BFA Broadcasting) is a manufacturing engineer for Teledyne Tekmar in Mason, Ohio. Cal Robinson (’73 BA Voice) relocated to Louisiana to join the staff of the NeuroMedical Center as a medical psychologist. Carolyn Sebron (‘76 BFA Voice) debuted with the Chicago Sinfonietta at Symphony Center Orchestra Hall in March 2009 singing solos for El amor brujo by Falla and Canzone del velo from Don Carlo by Verdi. CCM alumnus Leslie B. Dunner, current music director of the Joffrey Ballet, conducted. Jim Walton (’77 BM Musical Theatre) appeared in the role of Al Shean in the York Theatre Company’s (New York City) spring 2008 production of Minnie’s Boys. The production also starred Pamela Myers (’69 BM Musical Theatre) in the title role and Dan Bogart (’99 BFA Musical Theatre) as Herbie/Zeppo.
graphed the fights for Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. Last summer he produced The Fantasticks at the Sundance Resort. Chance Pinnell (’99 BFA Drama) stared in Scaring The Fish with Max Casella and Anthony Rapp. It premiered as the first free download-to-own feature film in history.
THE WILLIAM HUENEKE FOUNDATION
1960s Lynda M. Dunn (‘63 BS/perf cert, ‘89 MM - ‘92 Ph.D at OSU) retired as professor emerita from Carson-Newman College in Tennessee. She currently performs in recital and teaches music education methods courses and piano as an adjunct professor at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio.
York, the premier boutique agency representing legendary Tony Award winners. He is the co-owner of The Wilmette Theatre. 1990s David Beck (‘90 BM) is a freelance pipe organ voicer. He recently worked on restorations at Duke University Chapel (1932 Aeolian), New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1954 Aeolian-Skinner) and participated in voicing the new Schoenstein at St. James Episcopal Church in New York City. Sharon Wheatley (’90 BFA Musical Theatre) is an actress and nationally published author of the memoir ‘Til the Fat Girl Sings. She has enjoyed 18 years in New York City as a professional actress. Wheatley’s Broadway credits include Avenue Q, the final company of Cats as it finished its recordbreaking run at the Winter Garden Theater, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. She has the distinction of being the only actress to appear in all three blockbusters on Broadway. Richard S. Webb (‘91 MM Viola) is in his second year of PhD. studies in music education at Northwestern University. His research poster Effects of Several Factors on String Educators’ Employment of Assessment and Evaluation Models was presented at the CIC Conference at The Ohio State University last October. Robert Garcia (’92 MM Horn Performance) was recently named senior director of admissions and financial aid at the Corcoran College of Art & Design in Washington, DC. Dain Paige (’92 BFA Drama) recently played the role of Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Paige is currently working on a cabaret titled “...And Another Song I Like...” Philip Solomon (’93 BFA Drama) worked closely with Dreamworks to produce the entertainment for a special 2009 Halloween event at the White House for the First Family and their guests. Diana-Maria Riva (’95 BFA Drama) has been selected to co-star in Jack and Dan, Matt Nix’s new 13-episode, hour long series for Fox, top lined by Colin Hanks and Bradley Whitford. Directing the show is Tim Matheson. Michael Bardorf (’97 BFA Electronic Media) published his first novel Pair of Jacks last fall. The novel is available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. Michael Burns (’97 DMA Bassoon) has released a new CD on the Mark Masters label entitled Primavera: Music for Basson and Piano by Bassoonists. Burns is also associate professor of basson at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Yamaha Performing Artist. Richard Phelps (’97 MA Choral Conducting) conducted the world premiere of his great-uncle John Randolph Phelp’s Piano Concerto in d-minor at Interlochen Center for the Arts. The concert was held one month after his great-uncle turned 100 years old and 68 years after the works had been composed. Aaron Serotsky (’97 BFA Drama) recently shot a commercial for Subway Restaurants. Serotsky is currently rehearsing the workshop of Laughing Matters in New York. This fall he appeared on The Beautiful Life on the CW Network. Pamela (Seyring-Boyle) Wissman (’97 MA Arts Administration) is editorial director at F&W Media for North Light fine art books, IMPACT books and ArtistsNetwork.tv Jacob White (’98 BFA Drama) directed Thickness of Skin by Clare Mcintyre at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York this past fall. Sara Gettelfinger (’99 BFA Musical Theatre) first appeared on Broadway in the musical Seussical playing one of the Bird Girls. Gettelfinger also starred on Broadway as Carla in the revival of Nine with Antonio Banderas and originated the role of Jolene Oakes in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with John Lithgow and Sherie Rene Scott. Gettlefinger is also one of the singing trio, Three Graces, which have toured extensively and released a debut album in 2008. John Graham (’99 BFA Drama) started his third year of teaching voice and movement in Utah. Graham also choreo-
The Dance Department gratefully acknowledges the support of The Corbett Endowment at CCM.
1950s Donald Carr (’57 BM Clarinet, ’59 MM Music Education) is president of Jazz Alive, Inc., a nonprofit organization which sponsors jazz performances in schools, senior and retirement communities, jazz venues and radio. Sherry Beebe (’58 BM Music Education) retired in 1993 after 35 years teaching public school music at the Lower Merion School Districts (Ardmore, Pa.) and has served for 25 years as minister of music at the Narberth Presbyterian Church (Narberth, Pa.).
Season Design Sponsor
Musical Theatre Program Sponsor
ALUMNI APPLAUSE What’s new with you? CCM OVATION wants to celebrate your work and success. Please submit your 50 word update to: karen.tully@uc.edu
CCM OVATION 2009–2010 SPRING QUARTERLY NEWS AND EVENTS BULLETIN
CONSTANTLY CHANGING INDUSTRY, STEADY UC TIES 2010 E-MEDIA ADVISORY PANEL Brooke Anderson, a 2008 CCM e-media alumna, Jon Lawhead Bill Fee, co-chair Richard Dyer was immediately hired by WCPO-TV upon graduating General Manager, Vice President and President and My 64 WSTR-TV General Manager, General Manager, from the University of Cincinnati. WCPO-TV WLWT Mike Pedelty And then, just as quickly, she took on projects of Lynne Veil, co-chair Susan Grogan Faller Vice President of increasing responsibility for her new employer. She now Communication, Executive Vice Frost Brown Todd Time Warner President Partner, LLC serves as the overall content manager for wcpo.com, Cable–Southwest Empower Media Marjorie Fox Ohio Marketing the 24-7, front-door Web portal for the station. Associate Karrie Sudbrack David Crowl Professor and Anderson was hired and promoted because “she Vice President Sr. Vice President Division Head, and General Radio, Clear CCM E-media, had the skills,” said Bill Fee, president and general Manager, Cumulus Channel Radio University of manager of WCPO-TV. “Our biggest need right now is Cincinnati Radio Donald L. Dahlman Cincinnati digital. If UC hadn’t adapted to that need, Brooke would Lisa Thai Consultant Pat Gentile Vice President National TV Deborah Denise not have been hired.” and General Program Manager, Executive Vice Manager, Radio Procter and Fee, who also serves as co-chair of the industry President, One Cincinnati Gamble Production advisory panel for CCM’s e-media division, can attest it’s Les Vann Infrastructure/ Bill Lanesey Sr. no accident that UC e-media was able to adapt quickly. Executive Vice President and Vice President and General Manager, Producer, General Manager, While community engagement might seem like a WKRC-TV Sony Pictures WXIX-TV Imageworks, Inc. relatively new “buzz word” among academic institutions, CCM’s e-media division has been forging real, successful partnerships with professionals in the field for almost 25 years. Its advisory panel, formed in 1986 under the direction of Manfred Wolfram, former division head, provides an opportunity for media experts to influence curriculum decisions and, ultimately, improve the quality and readiness of e-media grads. Advisory panel co-chair Lynne Veil explained, “There’s definitely a selfish interest in participating on the panel. We want strong, future employees.” Veil identifies a secondary benefit: relationship building among local professionals. “We’re fierce competitors. The advisory panel provides safe, common ground where we can make positive contributions together.” In addition to advice and counsel, panel members and their organizations fund scholarships for internships, participate in student receptions and identify potential guest speakers for various e-media courses. Internships, in particular, are critical to turning out grads who can “hit the ground running.” Especially during the current cycle of rapid-fire change. Said Fee, “The industry has been turned on its head over the last five years. The only way to keep up is with constant dialogue between the community and the university. The e-media advisory panel is a shining example of how to do that.” And Marjorie Fox, professor and e-media division head, said the rapidly changing environment of television, radio and Web makes the e-media advisory panel’s charge particularly important. “We’re preparing now for the classes of 2016 and 2017. It’s challenging to stay ahead of market trends and technologies that are constantly evolving. We rely on people working in the field to help us do that.”
FRANK WEINSTOCK NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF CCM The University of Cincinnati has appointed Frank Weinstock to serve as interim dean of the College-Conservatory of Music. The appointment was formally effective January 1, 2010. Weinstock has been a piano professor at CCM for 30 years, held the chair of the Piano Department and served as associate dean for the past two years. As interim dean, Weinstock is responsible for overseeing issues including strategic planning, budget, curriculum, facilities and furthering the ever-increasing prominence of the College-Conservatory of Music. “I feel privileged to lead CCM as we prepare for the next dean,” Weinstock said. “During this transitional period we will continue to move forward, and we will do so because of our exceptional faculty and staff, as well as our shared belief in the mission of the college. We have ambitious plans for the future, as well as several challenges. As a group, we will continue to remember that we are all here for the students first, and keep them at the center of our thoughts and goals; and, as a part of that, we will continue to produce first-rate performances for the greater University of Cincinnati community,” stated Weinstock. “Outside support and funding are essential for CCM at this time,” Weinstock said. “The budget cuts are real and present a challenge to CCM’s future. I will actively seek additional external funding opportunities. Our donors provide scholarship opportunities for numerous students, support departments within the college through premier faculty appointments, guest artists and master classes; and, in general, help to
further the reputation of the College-Conservatory of Music. We simply can’t do it without them and thank them tremendously for their support.” Weinstock will also continue to lead the CCM faculty through UC’s semester conversion. The University of Cincinnati will switch from quarters to semesters in 2012. “The faculty is optimistic about CCM’s future,” said k. Jenny Jones, chairwoman of the CCM Faculty Committee. “We are ready to face the numerous challenges before us, including the semester conversion, curricular review and the serious issues related to budget cuts. We are excited, enthusiastic and committed to working with interim Dean Frank Weinstock. The faculty is confident that CCM will grow and thrive under this new leadership. As a team, it is our goal to ensure CCM remains student centered and quality minded.” Weinstock’s former position as associate dean is now divided into two positions. Filling the positions are Terrell Finney and Steven Cahn. Finney has served as division head for CCM’s Opera, Musical Theatre, Drama and Arts Administration program for over 22 years. He will serve as Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. “At this moment in the history of CCM, I am equally honored to have been asked to serve as Interim Associate Dean, a position I have agreed to fill, with the hope of helping Dean Weinstock to continue this college’s great legacy of training across all the performing and media arts disciplines we represent,” said Finney. Steven Cahn, Associate Professor of Music Theory, will serve as Director of Graduate Studies. Cahn will also be heavily involved with the curricular-revision efforts for both graduate and undergraduate programs.
TONY AWARD-WINNER AND CCM ALUMNA FAITH PRINCE GIVES INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH TO UC GRADUATES AT DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY Faith Prince, one of CCM’s most famous graduates, was the featured speaker at the University of Cincinnati Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, December 12, in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. Prince received an Honorary Doctor of Performing Arts. The honorary degree recognizes the attainment of extraordinary distinction. It is the highest award given by the university. UC President Gregory H. Williams greeted the new graduates at the Faith Prince is best known for her award-winning performance as Miss first Commencement ceremony since Williams became UC’s 27th president Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls,” earning and formally took office in fall 2009. President Williams acknowledged that a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award in 1992. She the graduates were entering the workforce during one of the most difficult was nominated for the same awards for her performance in “A Catered Affair” economies the nation has experienced in decades, reflecting on his own on Broadway in 2008. graduation from law school in 1971 when he was job-hunting during one of Other award-nominated performances on Broadway include “Bells are Ringing” the deepest and longest recessions since the Great Depression. (2001), “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway” President Williams told the graduates they were joining a distinguished (1989) and “Nick and Nora” (1991). She recently played the role of Ursula in group of alumni comprised of more than 200,000 living members. Among “The Little Mermaid” on Broadway. them is commencement speaker Faith Prince, the award-winning actress of Her film roles include “Our Very Own,” “Picture Perfect,” “Dave” and stage, film and TV, who graduated as “Most Talented” with her bachelor of “My Father the Hero.” Her television fine arts degree from CCM’s Musical Theatre Program in 1979. appearances include “Spin City,” “Huff,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House,” Prince, too, observed that the graduates were entering their careers “Monk” and most recently Lifetime during uncertain economic times. “As an artist, I learned early on that it is a Television’s “Drop Dead Diva.” Musical accomplishments include “A given to live day-to-day with the constant uncertainty of life. Embrace it!” Leap of Faith” (CD), “Moving On” (tour Prince also added, “I truly believe that in this texting, twittering, insular in Australia), and “Over the Rainbow,” a national concert tour that celebrated culture of communication we navigate through today, you are losing the the centennial of composer Harold Arlen. Vocal performances have actual energy that transpires between people who share the same space. also included appearances with the Be present. Don’t forget to be a part of something bigger than yourself. I’ve Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Boston Pops and the Utah Symphony. learned from a life in the theatre that collaboration is key. Your wealth is in your connective relationships.” A lifetime member of the UC Alumni Association, Prince was the featured artist at the 1998 UC Presidential Ball, which served as the kickoff for UC’s national campaign. She continues to support her alma mater and UC students pursuing careers in musical theatre. In New York last April, she took part in a musical theatre seminar for the 2009 CCM graduating class and spoke of her own experiences in the profession. “She spoke to the students with great understanding, humanity and humility and provided insights into the most difficult of professions with humor and grace,” says Aubrey Berg, Patricia A. Corbett Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre. “She is considered a gem by her peers in the theatre community and her every appearance is eagerly anticipated. She is known and loved for imbuing roles with an unmistakable imprimatur—the Faith Prince style.”