CCM DANCE SERIES PRESENTS

JUST DESSERTS

Selections from The Nutcracker and Faculty Works

Nov. 20-22, 2025
Corbett Auditorium

  • Directors | Shauna Steele and Dierdre Carberry
  • Choreographers | Thomas Bell, Shauna Steele, Deirdre Carberry and Hee Ra Yoo
  • Scenic Designer | Ben Wright*
  • Lighting Designer | Charlie Raschke*
  • Dance Costume Coordinator and Designer| Erin Donnelly 
  • Dance Costume Shop Assistant| Jayna Fry
  • Sound Designer |Lacey Vailikit*
  • Production Stage Manager | Ali Fishbain*
  • Technical Director| Evan Reinhart*

*CCM Student

Estimated run time: 90 minutes, including a 15 minute-intermission

Director's Note

By Shauna Steele, Chair and Associate Professor of Dance

This year launches into a two-year plan towards creating a Nutcracker ballet. Not ‘the’ or ‘A’ but CCM ballet’s Nutcracker with a rotating twist.  This includes new and original set, lighting, scene, costume, and prop design. While we will fully realize choreography and design when next we stage our Nutcracker, you might notice a few bits of whimsy and connection.  Our Nutcracker prince proudly wears our Bearcat colors! Yes, I know…that one isn’t a big stretch so to have your aaahhh moment you’ll have to join us next time we stage it…you might notice that our Reigning Rat might just bear a passing color match to one of our rival schools…maybe. It is also designed to be a monarch of the rats with gender, styling, and strengths based on who is cast in the role.  Again, yes not a big stretch for those that know the original recipe for the Nutcracker.  Those in the know…know that the original story had a rat queen and a rat prince which in later years was just folded into ‘Rat King.’ 

Where did it all begin for us?  A few years ago, we decided to start building towards not only a fully realized Nutcracker but several other fully realized choreographed, designed, and built ballets that would be ours but also rental packages when we were not using them. Rental monies would then roll over into upkeep, maintenance, more designs, and creative ways to imagine several ballets but specifically, The Nutcracker. We have or are working on our Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Giselle, and (most recently in Spring 2025) our Coppelia! As we thought about who we are and how we both want to honor tradition but look towards our future I thought…What if we had two versions? One in a traditional yet appropriate style and presentation and one with a bit of contemporary flare but still playing with the classical approach…Where would we start? And why there? How could where we start be a flex point for two different, as yet unrealized versions?  Of course! Waltz of the Flowers! A few years ago, in meetings with one of our costume design faculty we decided on ‘An English Garden.’ The colors would be strong yet gradient, suiting many skin tones and choreographic choices and approaches. To me an English garden shows structure, stateliness, wildness and on the verge of erupting chaos. This suits the overall story of the Nutcracker…did Clara really observe a magical moment and visit a wonderland of sweet treats and Just Desserts? Or was it just a whimsical dream brought about by to many sweets and the excitement and exhaustion of attending a ‘grown up’ soiree? The first version we presented was a standalone work presented within our larger Dance Works concert that fall and created by an alumni of our program, Rae Vrbancic. 

This year we have new choreography for all of the sweet treats of act II by Deirdre Carberry and by our new faculty member Hee Ra Yoo, an original revisioning of Waltz of the Snowflakes. And since we were not doing the full Nutcracker, two new works by faculty members Thomas Bell and myself. Thomas’ piece, Respighi Transitions, and my work, every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree. This work started as a thought on what is strength and why and how is it sometimes potential and unrealized. What is its energy, its métier or vigor, its characteristic or joie de verve? Was it feminine? Something else,… or something much more kinetic and ordered chaos?  To me, that is our Autumnal fall season. It looks, sounds and feels like mass chaos yet there is an order to it, a comfort of loud, messy, organized, and enduring effervescent energy. The sound of nature’s pure fall is so layered, loud, and ever changing. It’s a entire concert orchestra that plays out for us every year in our own backyards!

As I consider who we are and where we want to go; I, along with Hee Ra and three students are jetting our way through a 15.5-hour flight (yes, you read that right), currently somewhere over Northwestern Canada on our way to Seoul, South Korea. There we will present an original work by Hee Ra at a festival, teach several master classes, collaborate on choreography with potential partner schools, and present our individual research at a conference on change. So, this is where we want to go! Everywhere and Nowhere at all levels and directions…creating pathways with elements of choose your adventure! Space to tell your story and let that story re-scape the landscape of dance. 

So, while this marks our second season concert, our season has many elements. We began with the Student Choreographers Showcase which, mentored by dance faculty,  featured 8 current dance majors, sharing their choreographic truths. We then quickly pivoted to finishing the preparation and work for both our trip to Korea and our fall concert (this concert of course!) Just Desserts! Selections from the Nutcracker and New Faculty Works. From here we start preparing for our spring and summer season works. These include both in-progress opportunities and confirmed ones. The next on campus concert will be DanceWorks in 2026, and our Festival Fringe Sneak Peak in April for those that can’t go all the way to Scotland with us this summer!

And now we come to the pitch point…if you would like to directly support any and all dancers being able to participate in all opportunities we encourage you to make a donation of any size and pass the link along to individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and corporations who might like to make a donation in support of educational artistic opportunities for students. The UC Foundation has been a big help in setting us up for a ‘crowd sourcing’ site. The link for dance will be available soon. There you can see images, videos and testimonials on the opportunity and value as the students see it.  Any monies this year will help with all of our off campus and on-campus endeavors. Not every experience has to be on-stage but its so amazing when it’s a choice!  This year donations help defray student specific costs for presenting and performing at the SBC Festival in Seoul, South Korea, The Ballet Alliance Festival in Reno, Nevada, the American College Dance Association regional festival, The Lets Dance International Festival in Leicester, England, and the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. In future years its our hope that this faithful support can assist students wanting to explore a junior year study abroad experience or a senior year co-operative internship placement.

And as Clara wakes from her evening sleep wondering if it was dream or reality know that we already appreciate the support you are already providing by being our audience and letting us dream in reality.

Dance Selections

Act I

Respighi Transitions

  • Choreographer | Thomas Bell
  • Costumes | CCM Ballet
  • Music | Balletto Detto, Pas de Trio Italiana, Lentamente, Danza Rustica by Ottorino Respighi (1936)
  • Lighting Designer | Kassidy Schley
  • Trio  | Andrea Adams, Abigail Kolb, Katherine Kraal 
  • Duet  | Charlotte Van Dyke, AJ Gross (Thurs/Fri); Taegan Moran, Kyle Rabey (Sat)
  • Opening + Finale  | Andrea Adams, Ellamae Brodbeck, Abbey Crane, Charlotte Van Dyke, Julia Elliott, AJ Gross, Sophia Gruber, Kyla Hardesty, Abigail Kolb, Katherine Kraal, Taegan Moran, Caralena Ondre, Kyle Rabey, Caroline Row, Madeline Tinkler, Tonio White 

 

every leaf speak bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree

  • Choreographer | Shauna Steele
  • Costumes | CCM Ballet
  • Music | Winter 1, Winter 2, Winter 3 originally composed by Antonio Vivaldi (1741) 
  • Composer | Max Richter from his recomposed of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
  • Lighting Designer | Kassidy Schley
  • Soloists | Chloe McFarland (Fri/Sat 8 p.m.), Livia Noorollah (Thurs/Sat 2 p.m.)  
  • Featured | Shaelyn Kuipers, Sylvia Quinio, Ashley Zimmer 
  • Corps de danse | Leighton Calfee, Katrien Feenstra, Mahala Flag, Ava Gustitus, Kielyn Minton, Isabella Moore, Dominic Vennemann, Summer Warfield

Program Note | The title comes from a poem by Emily Brontë, which felt a perfect match. What is its energy, its métier or vigor, its characteristic or joie de vevre? Does it have gender? Lightness? …or something much more kinetic and ordered chaos?  To me, that is our Autumnal fall season. It looks, sounds and feels like mass chaos yet there is an order to it, a comfort of loud excitement, messy, organized, and enduring effervescent energy. The sound of nature’s pure fall is so layered, loud, and ever changing. It’s an entire concert orchestra that plays out for us every year in our own backyards!

 

Waltz of the Snowflakes

  • Choreographer | Hee Ra Yoo
  • Costumes | CCM Ballet
  • Music | Waltz of the Snowflakes by Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1893)
  • Artist | Richard Bonynge, National Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Lighting Designer | Charlie Raschke
  • Snowflakes  |  Hannah Altmiller, Sophia Black, Katherine Bracken, Bryn Cintrón, Alicia Davis, Maya Gordon, Soyars Green, Violet Hahn, Campbell Lee, Mary Lee, Addie McCarter, Aidan McKee-Bruns, Riya Mathur, Mia Neslanovic, Grace Ortega, Isabelle Pfleger, Rosemary Scarpelli, Lizzie Tanner, Isabella Thoroughman, Serena van der Hulst, Madeline Weber 
  • Frost Fairies  | Julia Elliot, Kyla Hardesty

 

INTERMISSION

 

Act II: The Nutcracker

  • Restaged with Choreography | Deirdre Carberry 
  • Le Petite Bon Bons restaged with Choreography | Kiersten Mae Edwards
  • Nutcracker Original Choreographer | Marius Petipa (1910)
  • Costume Design | Erin Donnelly
  • Draper | Jayna Fry
  • Music | The Nutcracker Ballet (1999)
  • Original Composer | Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1893)
  • Artist | Richard Bonynge, National Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Lighting Designer | Charlie Raschke
  • Clara |  Sophia Black (Sat), Mia Neslanovic (Thurs, Fri) 
  • Prince  |  Kyle Rabey (Thurs, Fri), Tonio White (Sat) 
  • Sugar Plum Fairy |  Sophia Black (Thurs, Fri), Mia Neslanovic (Sat) 
  • Cavalier |  Kyle Rabey (Sat), AJ Gross (Thurs, Fri)
  • Macarons | Bryn Cintrón, Violet Hahn, Shaelyn Kuipers, Grace Ortega (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Alicia Davis, Soyars Green, Abby Kolb, Lizzie Tanner (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Toffee | Addie McCarter, Mahala Flagg, Aidan McKee-Bruns (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Addie McCarter, Hannah Altmiller, Rosemary Scarpelli (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Peppermints |  Isabelle Pfleger, Madeline Weber (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Leighton Calfee, Charlotte Van Dyke (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Marzipan | Katherine Bracken, Cambell Lee, Abby Kolb, Katherine Kraal (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Mary Lee, Taegan Moran, Sylvia Quinio, Serena van der Hulst (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Candy Canes | Julia Elliott, Katrien Feenstra, Dominic Vennemann (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Maya Gordon, Kyla Hardesty, Dominic Vennemann (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.) 
  • Mother Ginger | Erin Donnelly (guest performer) 
  • Le Petit Bon Bons | Eryn Baek, Marie Cirillo, Eliza Demland, Sophia Grabell, Kani Hamoudi, Sadie Luckhaupt, Oya Mawusi, Nora Peterson, Olive Selander, Esme Tobler, Greta Tobler 
  • Dew Drop Fairy | Isabella Thoroughman (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.), Ashley Zimmer (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Flowers | Ellamae Brodbeck, Leighton Calfee (Thurs/ Sat. 2 p.m.); Abbey Crane, Ava Gustitus, Sophia Gruber, Chloe McFarland, Riya Mathur, Kielyn Minton, Isabella Moore, Livia Noorollah, Caralena Ondre, Isabelle Pfleger (Fri/ Sat. 8 p.m.); Caroline Row, Madeline Tinkler, Isabella Thoroughman (Fri/Sat. 8 p.m.); Charlotte Van Dyke (Thurs/ Sat. 2 p.m.); Summer Warfield, Madeline Weber (Fri/ Sat. 8 p.m.);  Ashley Zimmer (Thurs/ Sat. 2 p.m.)
  • Understudies | Bryn Cintrón, Isabelle Pfleger, Mary Lee

Student Bios

Dancer bios listed by first appearance in program order

Andrea Adams

Andrea Adams 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Columbus, Ohio

At CCM: Fall Dance Works, Student Choreography Showcase, Coppélia, Corps de ballet in La Bayadère and “Stretto.” Elsewhere: Winter Fairy in Cinderella, and Dewdrop, Arabian Princess, Spanish Lead, and Mirliton Lead in The Nutcracker with New Albany Ballet Company (New Albany, Ohio).


Abigail Kolb

Abigail Kolb 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Canton, Michigan

At CCM: "The One You Feed" by Shauna Steele, "Stretto" by Mathew Farmer, Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours from Coppélia set by Tricia Sundbeck and Isabele Elefson, Macrons from Nutcracker, Mazurka Soloist in Les Sylphides, work by Colleen Barnes and works in the Student Choreography Showcase. Elsewhere: "Immediacy" Christian Burse, "Challengers" Vincenzo Di Primo. 


Katherine Kraal

Katherine Kraal 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Grand Rapids, Michigan

At CCM: Esmeralda, The Littlest Mermaid, X (Joshua Stayton), Stretto (Matthew Farmer) and Coppelia (Tricia Sundbeck & Isabel Elifson), BOOM, Student Choreographers' Showcase, Choreographer for Pillars of Us.


Charlotte Van Dyke

Charlotte Van Dyke 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Carmel, Indiana

At CCM: "X" by Joshua Stayton, and "La Bayadere," in Dance Works 2024, "Tyne," "Endless Motion," and "Entity One" in Student Choreographer's Showcase, Waltz and Mazurka in "Coppelía," Tea, Flowers, "Respighi Transitions" in "Just Desserts," Ruby in "Sleeping Beauty" in Dance Works 2025.


AJ Gross

AJ Gross 
Senior Ballet student from Dayton, Ohio

At CCM: Thomas Bell's "Mozart Mix," Rothbart in Sleeping Beauty, Shauna Steele's original works titled "Still Waters" and "Who We Are," Ihiaih Miller's "Jux D'pose," Jiang Qi's "Van Gogh, Iris and the Starry Night", An American in Paris as Jerry, The littlest mermaid as the Prince, Coppelia as the role of Franz and "Just Desserts" as the role of Cavalier.


Taegan Moran

Taegan Moran 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Barrington, Rhode Island

At CCM: "The One You Feed" by Shauna Steele in Dance Works 2024, "Who is she?", "Entity One", "Bone Deep" in Student Choreographers' Showcase, Mazurka and Waltz in "Coppelía". "Respighi Transitions," Marzipan in Just Desserts 2025, Polonaise in "Sleeping Beauty" in Dance Works 2026.


Kyle Rabey

Kyle Rabey 
Senior Ballet BFA student from Livonia, Michigan

At CCM: Dance Works (including Flames of Paris excerpts), Coppélia (Franz's Friends), and Just Desserts (Cavalier).


Ellamae Brodbeck

Ellamae Brodbeck
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Cincinnati, Ohio

At CCM: Student Choreographers Showcase performer, Waltz of the Flowers in Just Desserts, Ensemble member in Respighi Transitions.


Julia Elliott

Julia Elliott 
Sophomore Ballet BA student from Louiville, Kentucky

At CCM: Candy Cane, by Deirdre Carberry, Just Desserts, Waltz of the Hours & Mazurka, Coppelia, “X” by Joshua Stanton Fall Dance Works.


Kyla Hardesty

Kyla Hardesty 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Costa Mesa, California

At CCM: “Ancient Music," Waltz of the Hours and Mazurka in Coppelia, Candy Cane and Respighis Transition in "Just Desserts," Student Choreographers' Showcase. 


Caralena Ondre

Caralena Ondre 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Atlanta, Georgia

At CCM: 'Flower Corp Act II; the Nutcracker' restaged by Deride Carberry, 'Respighi Transitions' by Thomas Bell.


Chloe McFarland

Chloe McFarland 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Lexington, Kentucky

At CCM: Dancer in Beneath the Rain in the Student Choreographer’s Showcase, Dancer in Autumn Tree and Corps in Waltz of the Flowers in Just Desserts. Elsewhere: Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Marzipan in The Nutcracker with Lexington Dance Factory (Lexington); Miss Dance of the Bluegrass 2025 with Dance Masters of the Bluegrass (Lexington); Soloist in abridged Giselle ballet with Lexington Dance Factory (Lexington).


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Livia Noorollah 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Overland Park, Kansas

At CCM: Student Choreographers' Showcase, Just Desserts. Elsewhere: Choreographer for Open Stage at The White Theatre at The J.


Shaelyn Kuipers

Shaelyn Kuipers 
Senior BFA Ballet student from Midland, North Carolina

At CCM: Soloist in Autumn Leaf (Steele), Demi Soloist in Esmeralda (Sundbeck), Demi Soloist in Swan Lake (Qiang), ensemble in Coppelia (Sundbeck), Spanish in The Nutcracker (Carberry). Elsewhere: Snow Queen, Russian, Lead Mirliton in The Nutcracker, Ensemble in other recitals.


Sylvia Quinio

Sylvia Quinio 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Lexington, Kentucky 

At CCM: Marzipan in Nutcracker, Alicia Davis’ Phrases Unfold, Spinners in Coppélia, Lead in Joshua’s Stayton’s X, Matthew Farmer’s Stretto, Corps de Ballet in La Bayadère, soloist in Shauna Steele’s Carmina Burana, soloist in Shauna Steele’s it’s not the breaths we take, Lise Understudy in Peter Davidson’s An American in Paris.


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Ashley Zimmer 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Springboro, Ohio

At CCM: Dewdrop fairy in Just Desserts, Pas de deux in Echoes of Will, soloist in Every Leaf Speaks Bliss To Me, Fluttering From The Autumn Tree, Featured dancer in BOOM, Mazurka and Waltz of The Hours in Coppélia, Ensemble in The One You Feed and X.


Leighton Calfee

Leighton Calfee  
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Columbus, Ohio

At CCM: “The One You Feed”, “Antique Music”, “Who Is She”, Coppelia: Waltz of the Hours + Mazurka, “Entity 1”, Choreographer of “Beneath the Rain”, The Nutcracker Act 2: Peppermint Divertissement + Flower Corps, “Autumn Tree…” Elsewhere: “The Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote”, “Giselle”, “ALICE”, “Cinderella” at BalletMet (Columbus, Ohio).


Katrien Feenstra

Katrien Feenstra 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Farmington, Michigan

At CCM: ‘Stretto’ by Matthew Farmer, ‘X’ by Joshua A. Stayton, 'Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree' By Shauna Steel, Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours in Coppélia restaged by Trisha Bell and Isabele Elefson,  'Act II: The Nutcracker' restaged by Deirdre Carberry, ‘Pillars of Us’ by Katherine Kraal, 'Bone Deep' by Madeline Weber in student Choreographers' Showcase. Elsewhere: The Majestic Nutcracker restaged by Tina Bishop.


Mahala Flagg

Mahala Flagg 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student Fort Smith, Arkansas

At CCM: La Bayadere corps (Dance Works), Mazurka and Waltz of the hours corps (Coppelia) and original work by Shauna Steele "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."


Kielyn Minton

Kielyn Minton 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Meadowview, Virginia

At CCM: flower corps, autumn leaf in Just Desserts. Elsewhere: Snow Queen in Nutcracker and Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (Bristol Ballet) and the Genie in Aladdin (Highlands Ballet Company).


Isabella Moore

Isabella Moore 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Chattanooga, Tennessee

At CCM: Waltz of the Flowers and Autumn Tree in Just Desserts; Outside of CCM: Marzipan, Snow Demi Soloist, Tea Demi Soloist, and Flowers in The Nutcracker, Corps de Ballet in Curveball, Garland Waltz Demi-Soloist in Sleeping Beauty, Wedding and Mazurka Dancer in Coppélia. Elsewhere: Star Fairy in Cinderella (with Chattanooga Ballet).


Dominic Vennemann

Dominic Vennemann 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Taylor Mill, Kentucky

At CCM: Dance Works, Student Choreographer’s Showcase, Coppelia, “The One Who Feeds” “Antique Music”, “Beyond the Words”, corp for Mazurka, Czardas, Spinners. Elsewhere: Dancer at Studio Dee (Fort Wright, Kentucky).


Hannah Altmiller

Hannah Altmiller 
Senior Ballet student from Springfield, Oregon

At CCM: Sea Witch Minion in The Little Mermaid, Spinner in Coppelia, Red Riding Hood in Sleeping Beauty.


Sophia Black

Sophia Black 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Sylvania, Ohio

At CCM: Corps de Ballet in "Les Sylphides", Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, and Snowflake in "The Nutcracker Just Desserts", Waltz of the Hours and Mazurka in "Coppélia", in 2025. Corps de ballet in excerpts from "La Bayadère", and The One You Feed. Elsewhere: Pre-professional dancer in the Toledo Ballet’s "The Nutcracker", "Cinderella", and "Sleeping Beauty."


Katherine Bracken

Katherine Bracken 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Lexington, Kentucky

At CCMMazurka, Waltz of the Hours, and Scottish Doll in Coppelia, Snow and Marzipan in Just Desserts, Dancer in BOOM!, Student Choreographer Showcase.


Bryn Cintrón

Bryn Cintron 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Tallahassee, Florida

At CCM: Choreographic Contributor for Carmina Burana, Ensemble in "Antique Music, Current Styles", Ensemble in "it's not the breaths we take..." Elsewhere: Snow Queen in The Nutcracker and "Spring Waters Pas" with Pas de vie Ballet (Tallahassee, Florida) and "Celebrating Bach" with Camerata South (Tallahassee, Florida).


Alicia Davis

Alicia Davis 
Senior BFA Ballet student from Covington, Kentucky

At CCM: Mazurka in Les Sylphides, Soloist in “Veritas” by Shauna Steele, Choreographer of “Phrases Unfold” SCS 2025, Spanish and Snow corps in “Just Desserts”, Swanhildias Friend in “Coppelia”, Soloist in “The One You Feed” by Shauna Steele. Elsewhere: Soloist in “Almost There” by Hee Ra Yoo SDP International Festival: Seoul, South Korea, “O’Keeffe: Kiss The Sky” by Jessica Lang: Cincinnati Opera, Choreographer of “Phrases Unfold”: The Ballet Alliance: Reno, Nevada.


Maya Gordon

Maya Gordon 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Milwaukee, Winscosin

At CCM: Candy Canes in The Nutcracker, "Waltz of the Snowflakes," A Temporary Existence by Sylvia Quinio, Waltz of the Hours & Czardas in Coppélia, Endless Motion by Cynthua Lutz, Corps de Ballet in La Bayadère, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux.


Soyars Green

Soyars Green 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Richmond, Virginia

At CCM: Spanish and Snow in Just Desserts, Dawn and Czardas Lead in Coppelia, Corps de Ballet in La Bayadere, X by Joshua Stayton and Esmeralda. Elsewhere: Snow and Flowers Corps de Ballet in "The Nutcracker", Corps de Ballet in “Serenade,” and Parisian in “An American in Paris" as a Richmond Ballet Trainee (Richmond, Virginia).


Violet Hahn

Violet Hahn 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Fort Wayne, Indiana

At CCM: Matt Farmer's Stretto, Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours in Coppelia, Celeste Lau's Inhibitions, Sylvia Quinio's The unKNOWN, Macarons and Snow Corps in Just Desserts, Alicia Davis's Phrases Unfold, Choreographer for the piece Entity 1.


Campbell Lee

Campbell Lee 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Atlanta, Georgia

At CCM: Marzipan and Snow in The Nutcracker, Swanhilda's Friend in Coppelia, Trio in Antique Music, Current Styles, Mersister in Little Mermaid, Corps in La Esmeralda, Corps in Jux D'Pose, How Deep is a Soul?, Cost of this World, Raise d'Etre, Pillars of Us, Beneath the Rain, A Temporary Existence.


Mary Lee

Mary Lee 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Grand Rapids, Michigan

At CCM: The Little Mermaid, Coppelia, Student Choreographer's showcase 24-25.


Adrianna McCarter

Adrianna McCarter 
Junior BFA Ballet Student from Orem, Utah

At CCM: Mazurka Lead, Spinner, and Unfinished Doll in Coppelia, Lead in The One You Feed by Shauna Steele, Corps de ballet in La Bayadere and Jux D’Pose. Elsewhere: Corps de ballet in Coppelia and Oceans and Pearls with Kansas City Ballet’s Youth Ballet Company. Corps de ballet in Coppelia and Raymonda with Ballet West Academy.


Aidan McKee-Bruns

Aidan McKee-Bruns 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Ellensburg, Washington

At CCM: Polonaise and Guest Work in Dance Works, Snow Queen and Toffee in Just Desserts, A Temporary Existence and Bone Deep in SCS, Waltz of the Hours and Mazurka in Coppélia, and Ancient Music/Current Styles in Dance Works.


Riya Mathur

Riya Mathur 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Cleveland, Ohio

At CCM: The One You Feed, Antique Music/Current Styles, Waltz of the Flowers, Snow Corps, Bone Deep. Elsewhere: Sugarplum Fairy, Snow Queen, Clara and Lead Marzipan in The Nutcracker with Cleveland Ballet Conservatory (Cleveland, Ohio).


Mia Neslanovic

Mia Neslanovic 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At CCM: Sugar Plum Fairy in Nutcracker Act II, Friends in Coppelia, Corp in Esmeralda, "Antique Music/Current Styles" (Thomas Bell), "it's not the breaths we take..." (Shauna Steele), Angelfish in Little Mermaid. Elsewhere: Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker (Academy of International Ballet), Lilac Fairy in Excerpts from Sleeping Beauty (Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory).


Grace Ortega

Grace Ortega 
Senior BFA Ballet student from Columbus, Ohio

At CCM: Macarons in The Nutcracker, Spinners in Coppelia, Soloist in X by Joshua Stayton, Ensemble in Stretto, by Matthew Farmer, Pas de Quatre in La Bayadere, Lise in An American in Paris, Cygnet in Swan Lake, Demi-soloist in Waltz of the Flowers, Still Waters, The One You Feed, and Carmina Burana, Corps de Ballet in Raymonda. Elsewhere: Featured dancer in Almost There by Hee Ra Yoo for the SDP International Festival (Seoul, South Korea). Corps de Ballet in The Nutcracker, and Corps de Ballet and Cygnets in Swan Lake at Dayton Ballet (Dayton, Ohio).


Isabelle Pfleger

Isabelle Pfleger 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Cape Cod, Massachusetts

At CCM: Sapphire in Sleeping Beauty, Tea, snowflake and flowers in Just Desserts, Spinner and Waltz of the Hours in Coppelia, Antique Music in Dance Works, Ship Captain and Courtier in Little Mermaid.


Rosemary Scarpelli

Rosemary Scarpelli 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Libertyville, Illinois

At CCM: Choreographer for “Beyond the Words,” Dancer in “Inhibitions” (Student Choreographer’s Showcase), “The One You Feed,” “Antique Music/Current Styles,” “Stretto,” Waltz of the Hours and Mazurka in Coppelia, Toffee and Waltz of the Snowflakes in Just Desserts.


Elizabeth Tanner

Elizabeth Tanner 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Glen Ellyn, Illinois 

At CCM: White Cat in Sleeping Beauty, Snow Corp and Spanish in The Nutcracker, “A Temporary Existence”, Mazurka Lead and Spinner in Coppélia, “Endless Motion”, “X”, Corps de ballet in The Little Mermaid, “Carmina Burana”, “The Hands That Hold Us Back”, “How Deep Is a Soul?”, “it’s not the breaths we take”, Corps de ballet in La Esmeralda. Elsewhere: Leads and Corp in “The Nutcracker”, “Giselle”, “Don Quixote”, “Etudes” (Westmont and Glen Ellyn, IL).


Edited in Tezza with: Lush

Isabella Thoroughman 
Senior BFA Ballet student from Williamstown, Kentucky

At CCM: Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, set by Tricia Sundbeck and Isabele Elefson, Dew Drop in Deirdre Carberry's The Nutcracker, a Friend in Coppelia, and Pas de Quatre in La Bayadere.


Serena van der Hulst

Serena van der Hulst 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from West Hartford, Connecticut

At CCM: Marzipan and Snowflake Corps in Just Desserts, Echoes of Will, Entity One, Who is She?, and Beyond the Words in the Student Choreographers Showcase, Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours Corps in Coppelia, “X” by Joshua Stayton in Danceworks.


Maddie Weber

Maddie Weber 
Senior Ballet student from Naperville, Illinois

At CCM: Friend in Coppelia, Lily in Vincent Iris & The Starry Night, Peppermint and Snow in Just Desserts, Soloist in It's Not The Breaths We Take, Corps de Ballet in Fairies, Swans and Still Waters. Elsewhere: Dancer in Trio in Fractured Realm at Seoul Performing Arts Festival (Seoul, South Korea), soloist in Tarantella and Tabula Rasa at DAP festival (Pietrasanta, Italy).


Production Team

  • Assistant Stage Managers | Jordan Shaw, Natalia Aldana Pamplona
  • Assistant Production Managers | Bethany Untener, Ali Fishbain
  • Dance Department Graduate Administrative Assistant | Alison Wallace
  • CCM Prep Ballet Director | Tricia Sundbeck
  • CCM Prep Ballet Student Associate | Kiersten Mae Edwards 
  • CCM Prep Dance Supervisors | Chloe Hessling, Kait Naylor
  • Set/Props Running Crew | Alyssa Mccarty, Ben Pino, Ella Schrecker, Sophia Ciranni, Peyton Kirby
  • Associate Lighting Designer: Kassidy Schley
  • Assistant Lighting Designer | Julia Koch
  • Production Electrician | Laura Hanks
  • Assistant Production Electrician | Ella Hamlin
  • Lighting Programmer | Maddi Myer
  • Lighting Board Operator | Joe Wasserberg
  • Deck Electricians | Emily Spiering, Matilda Dalton
  • Follow Spot Operators | Jacob Pasiuk, Laila Gose
  • Dance Department Costume Assistant | Jayna Fry
  • Wardrobe Crew | Jackson Frazer, Adrian Kalish-Demaris, Annika Kallstrom
  • A1 | Juliette Bernheisel

Student Bios

Lighting Designer

Charlie Raschke

Charlie Raschke 
Senior BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Raleigh, North Carolina 

Elsewhere: Cincinnati Opera, Seagle Festival, Theatre Raleigh, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, and Scapino Ballet. Some of his favorite credits include the world premiere of “Peace of Clay”, “Anima Obscura” at the Scapino Ballet, the world stage premiere of “Sanctuary Road” at the North Carolina Opera, as well as “Cold Mountain” and “Mayo” at The Seagle Festival.


Sound Designer

Lacey Vailikit

Lacey Vailikit 
Junior BFA Sound Design and Technology student from Fairfax, VA  

At CCM: Double Bill Opera (Head of Sound), Nutcracker: Just Desserts (Head of Sound), The Lightning Thief (A1), Hair (A2), In the Green (Assistant Sound Designer), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mic Crew), Student Choreographers’ Showcase 2024 (A1). Elsewhere: A1 for Singin' in the Rain, Little Women, Million Dollar Quartet (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre); A1 for Seussical (The Carnegie); Audio and Projections Engineer at Berkshire Theatre Group (Pittsfield, Massachusetts).


Production Stage Manager

Ali Fishbain

Ali Fishbain 
Junior BFA Stage Management student from Madison, Wisconsin

At CCM: PSM on The Nutcracker ‘25, PSM on Hänsel und Gretel, SM on CCM Moveable Feast 2026, SM on CCM Freshman MT ‘28 Showcase, SM on CCM Senior MT/Acting ‘25 Showcase, SM on CCM Moveable Feasts 2025, ASM on Sweeney Todd, ASM on The Witch (in collab. with The Carnegie), ASM on Le Nozze Di Figaro, PA on The Rape of Lucretia. Elsewhere: ASM on Sweeney Todd Teen* (Children’s Theater of Madison), ASM on Hadestown Teen (Children’s Theater of Madison), PSM on Beetlejuice Jr. (Children’s Theater of Madison), SM on Clifton Heights Music Festival (Rohs Cafe, Cincinnati), SM on Jazz Musical Theatre Performance (CCM students & Rohs Cafe, Cincinnati).


Technical Director

Evan Reinhart

Evan Reinhart 
Senior BFA Technical Production student from Zionsville, Indiana

At CCM: Student Choreographers' Showcase, The Nutcracker, Dance Works, Assistant Technical Director for Hair, Rappaccini’s Daughter, J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Scenic Designer for Hänsel und Gretel, Head Carpenter for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Everybody. Elsewhere: Properties Carpenter Apprentice at The Santa Fe Opera. Technical Apprentice at Theatre Aspen, Carpenter at PCPA - Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Santa Maria, California).

Assistant Stage Manager

Jordan Shaw

Jordan Shaw 
Senior Stage Management student from Cleveland, Ohio

At CCM: Production Stage Manager for Pride and Prejudice, Production Stage Manager for Coppelia, Assistant Stage Manager for Once on This Island and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Elsewhere: Stage Management Intern for Lollapalooza 2025, Assistant Stage Manager for Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar for Porthouse Theatre (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio).


Assistant Production Manager

Bethany Untener

Bethany Untener 
Senior BFA Stage Management student from Cincinnati, Ohio

At CCM: Production Stage Manager for John Proctor is the Villain, Assistant Stage Manager for Seussical, Assistant Stage Manager for Rappaccini's Daughter, Assistant Stage Manager for Fall Dance 2023, Production Assistant for Cincinnati Dionysia. Elsewhere: Assistant Stage Manager for Unto These Hills, Production Assistant for SpongeBob the Musical at The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati


CCM Prep Dance Supervisors

UC-CCM logo

Chloe Hessling  
Junior BFA Stage Management student from Lebanon, Ohio

At CCM: PA on Everybody, ASM on Wonderful Town. Elsewhere: Stage Management Apprentice with Gretna Theatre in Pennsylvania: PSM on Elephant and Piggie, ASM on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, ASM on Million Dollar Quartet, ASM on Hadestown: Teen Edition, PSM on The Enchanted Bookshop at Springboro Community Theatre.


Kait Naylor

Kait Naylor  
Junior Stage Management student from Loveland, Ohio

At CCM: Production Stage Manager for Dance Works 2024, Assistant Stage Manager for for Angles, Assistant Stage Manager for The Cunning Little Vixen, Assistant Event Manager for BOOM 2024, Assistant Stage Manager for The Rape of Lucretia, Production Assistant for Frankenstein. Elsewhere: Production Stage Manager for Annie Jr. at the Royal Theatre Company (Mason, Ohio), Production Stage Manager for The Magic Flute at Queen City Opera (Cincinnati), Production Assistant for Don Giovanni at Cincinnati Opera.


Set/Props Running Crew

Alyssa McCarty

Alyssa McCarty 
Freshman BFA Stage Management from San Clemente, California

At CCM: PA on The Lightning Thief


Ben Pino

Benjamin Pino 
Freshman BFA Technical Production student from Solon, Ohio 

At CCM: Costume Hand in The Lightning Thief


Ella Schrecker

Ella Schrecker 
Freshman BFA Stage Management from Charleston, South Carolina

At CCM: Production Assistant for Pride and Prejudice. Elsewhere: Assistant Stage Manager for Fiddler on the Roof and Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical with Charleston Stage (Charleston, South Carolina).


Sophia Ciranni

Sophia Ciranni
Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Newark, Delaware

At CCM: Light Board Operator for Student Choreographer’s Showcase.


Peyton Kirby

Peyton Kirby 
Freshman BFA Acting student from Cincinnati, Ohio

Elsewhere: Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Annie Twilloil in The Play That Goes Wrong, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Cinderella in Into the Woods Jr at the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Peyton has also attended theater workshops at Chicago's Second City, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Open Jar Institute in New York City.


Associate Lighting Designer

Kassidy Schley

Kassidy Schley 
Senior BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from North Richland Hills, Texas

At CCM: Lighting Designer for Antigone, Associate Lighting Designer for The Nutcracker and Student Choreo Showcase 2025, The Lightning Thief, Wonderful Town, Emilia, The Winter’s Tale, Sweet Charity. Elsewhere: Associate Lighting Designer for Rigoletto and Fiddler on the Roof at the Cincinnati Opera, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, The Tempest at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Little Women at Cincinnati Playhouse, Snow White at Cincinnati Ballet.


Assistant Lighting Designer

Julia Koch

Julia Koch
Sophomore BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Cincinnati, Ohio


Production Electrician

Laura Hanks

Laura Hanks  
Junior BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Hilliard, Ohio

At CCM: Production Electrician for La Finta Giardiniera, Production Electrician for Rappaccini's Daughter, Assistant Lighting Designer for The Cunning Little VixenElsewhere: Programmer for Bourbon and Beyond and Louder than Life Festivals 2024, Deck Electrician for Illinois at Bard SummerScape (Red Hook, New York).


Assistant Production Electrician

Ella Hamlin

Ella Hamlin 
Sophomore BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from St. Louis, Missouri

At CCM: Production Electrician for L'Egisto, Asst. Production Electrician for The Nutcracker 2025, Asst. Production Electrician for Pride & Prejudice, Lighting Board Operator for Student Choreographer's Showcase 2025, Spotlight Operator for Wonderful Town. Elsewhere: Deck Electrician for Opera Theatre of St. Louis 2025 Festival Season, Deck Electrician for Aida. (2023), Projections Operator for Steel Magnolias (2024), Spotlight Operator for Newsies (2024) at STAGES St. Louis.


Lighting Programmer

Maddi Myer

Maddi Myer 
Senior Lighting Design and Technology student from Houston, Texas

At CCM: Assistant Lighting Designer for Hair, Associate Lighting Designer for Student Choreographer's Showcase 2025, Programmer for Wonderful Town, Assistant Lighting Designer for Rappaccini's Daughter, Assistant Media Designer for Sweet Charity.


Deck Electricians

Emily Spiering

Emily Spiering 
Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Milford, Ohio


Matilda Dalton

Matilda Dalton  
Sophomore BFA Stage Management student from Perrysburg, Ohio

At CCM: PA in La Finta Giardiniera, ASM Hansel and Gretel UGOP, ASM Pride and Prejudice.


Follow Spot Operators

Jacob Pasiuk

Jacob Pasiuk 
Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Elsewhere: Lighting Designer for Little Mermaid, Tuck Everlasting and Mary Poppins with Bunce Performing Arts (Maple Grove, Minnesota). Lighting Designer for Mamma Mia! with White Bear Lake Community Theater, The Shape of Things and Tiny Beautiful Things with Century Community College, The Larkin Dance Studio recitals, Urban Dance Company recitals, and White Bear Dance Studio recitals (White Bear Lake, Minnesota). Associate Lighting Designer for Jesus Christ Superstar with Century Community College (White Bear Lake, Minnesota).  


Laila Gose

Laila Gose  
Sophomore BFA Stage Management student from Canal Winchester, Ohio

At CCM: Assistant Stage Manager for Mahagonny Ein Songspiel and Les Mamelles De Tirésias, Assistant Stage Manager for The Shards of An Honor Code Junkie, Production Assistant for Wonderful Town.


Wardrobe Crew

Adrian Kalish-Demaris

Adrian Kalish-Demaris 
Freshman BFA Acting student from Newton, Massachusetts

Elsewhere: Fred in Present Laughter, Trent Oliver in The Prom, Judge Danforth in The Crucible, Orpheus in Eurydice, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Hugo in Tuck Everlasting.


Annika Kallstrom

Annika Kallstrom 
Freshman BFA Acting student from Knoxville, Tennessee

At CCM: Rope (understudy), Understudy in Pride and Prejudice.


A1

Juliette Bernheisel

Juliette Bernheisel 
Freshman BFA Technical Production student from Cincinnati, Ohio

At CCM: Set Crew in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, A1 for Just Desserts: Selections from The Nutcracker and Faculty Works.


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Stay up to date on CCM news and events by subscribing to our Next OnStage email newsletter, which is published every other Wednesday. Visit ccm.uc.edu/subscribe to sign up for email updates.

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CCMpower

CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more.

The competitive scholarships CCMpower provides help attract and retain the best and brightest students, nurture professional development opportunities and – in turn – continue CCM’s tradition of excellence for the next generation of student-artists. Join or renew your CCMpower membership today to help provide critical scholarship funds.

Join or renew your CCMpower member today to help provide critical scholarship funds. Visit foundation.uc.edu/ccmpower to learn more.

 

Moveable Feast Illuminate promotional graphic

Save the date for Moveable Feast: Illuminate, presented by CCMpower on Jan. 23, 2026.


Supporters

Louise Dieterle Nippert Trust
Scholarship and Resident Artist Supporter
The Corbett Endowment at CCM
Dance Department Supporter
All-Steinway School Supporter
William L. Gasch Endowment Fund for Dance Excellence
Rachelle Bruno & Stephen Bondurant
CCM Dance Department Supporters
J. Brett Offenberger, MD and Mr. Douglas E. Duckett
Dr. & Mrs. Carl G. Fischer 
Greg Mathein 
Jim & Linda Miller 
George & Caroll Roden
Ken and Toni Kanter
Musical Theatre Department Supporters
GLP German Light Products
Upstaging, Inc.
Theater Design & Production Supporter
The Estate of Genevieve Smith
Opera Production Supporter
Rafael and Kimberly de Acha
Opera D’Arte Supporter
The Friedlander Family
Dr. Randolph L. Wadsworth
Judith Schonbach Landgren and Peter Landgren
Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Santen
Elizabeth C.B. Sittenfeld
Elizabeth Stone
Mrs. Thomas E. Stegman
Mrs. Theodore W. Striker
Mrs. Harry M. Hoffheimer
Ariel Quartet Supporters
The Friedlander Family
Karl Zipser
Chamber Music at CCM
Jan Rogers
Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation
Choral Studies Supporters
Anonymous
Classical Guitar Supporter
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Hirschhorn
Philharmonia Supporters
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
Starling Pre-Collegiate Supporter
Starling Strings Supporter
Dr. Timothy E. and Janet L. Johnson
Thom Miles and Roberta Gary
Strader Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Dr. Stephen G. Schaeffer
Organ Department Supporters
Keyboard Club of Cincinnati
L. Ried Schott
Carl Rhodes & Lori Luchtman-Jones
Piano Department Supporters
Kevin and Nancy Rhein
Wind Studies Supporters
Willis Music/ Buddy Rogers Music
LINKS Instrument Donation Supporter

Supporters listed as of Feb. 27, 2026

General Information


Land Acknowledgment

The Cincinnati area and the land that the University of Cincinnati has been built on is the native homeland of the Indigenous Algonquian speaking tribes, including the Delaware, Miami, and Shawnee tribes.


Box Office

Located in the CCM Atrium, the Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.; and one hour prior to curtain for all ticketed performances. MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards are accepted.

  • Location: CCM Atrium Lobby next to Corbett Auditorium
  • Telephone: 513-556-4183
  • Email: boxoff@uc.edu
  • Mail: CCM Box Office, P.O. Box 210003, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0003

Parking

Convenient parking is available in the CCM Garage at the base of Corry Boulevard off of Jefferson Avenue. Additional parking is available in garages throughout the UC campus. Any questions concerning on-campus parking should be directed to UC Parking Services at 513-556-2283.


Tax Credit

If you find that you cannot attend your performance, your tickets may be donated for tax credit as a charitable contribution. Simply notify the Box Office prior to the performance to release your seats, and give your name and address. A tax donation receipt will be mailed to you.


Lost and Found

If you have lost an item, contact lost and found at 513-556-9413.


House Policies

The House Manager has been instructed to minimize the disturbance to patrons already seated when accommodating latecomers. The director and producer of each production select times that are least likely to interrupt the performance, and latecomers will be seated only during these times. Latecomers who miss these opportunities will not be admitted until intermission. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted.


Cameras, Phones and Recording Devices

The video or audio recording of performances is prohibited.

The use of cameras, with or without flashes, recording devices, cellular phones and other electronic devices inside the theater is prohibited. Please leave them with the House Manager.


Smoking and Refreshments

Smoking and refreshments are not permitted in the theater. Effective May 1, 2017, smoking and tobacco use (including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes) shall be prohibited by students, staff, faculty, visitors, vendors and contractors at all times in or on University of Cincinnati properties, including events on university property during non-school hours. This includes all shelters, indoor and outdoor theaters and athletic facilities, bridges, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, parking lots, and street parking and garages owned by the university.


Hearing Enhancement

Telex listening devices are available for checkout during performances in both Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium. Please inquire at the Box Office.


Wheelchair Seating

Wheelchair seating is available in both Corbett Auditorium and Patricia Corbett Theater. Seating is limited, so reservations should be made with the Box Office when ordering tickets. These seats are subject to availability.


Group Sales

The Box Office can accommodate groups for major productions and concerts. Preview and benefit performances are also available for some productions. For more information, call the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183.


CCM Faculty and Staff

CCM's faculty and staff and its state-of-the-art facilities make possible the professional training and exceptional education on which CCM believes the future of the arts relies. The school's roster of eminent faculty regularly receives distinguished honors for creative and scholarly work, and its alumni have achieved notable success in the performing and media arts. More than 150 internationally recognized faculty members work with students from around the world, specializing in eight areas of study.


Know Your Exit

Corbett Auditorium emergency exits are located at the back left and right of the balcony level, the back left and right of the main floor level, and at the left and right at the front of the stage.

Performance dates and repertoire are subject to change. View CCM's current calendar of events.

The purpose of these performances is educational, and they are part of a University of Cincinnati academic program.