University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - CCM

CCM welcomes Avery Bargassé as our new Assistant Professor Educator of Musical Theatre Voice. He displays an impressive command over a variety of vocal styles offering a unique blend of sound all his own.

Bargassé has enjoyed a rich singing career as both a concert and recording artist. He has been heard singing the theme song of HBO series “The Wire,” appearing as a musical guest for then-senator Barack Obama, singing as an opening act for R&B/Soul singer Gladys Knight, and in 2021 singing as a solo artist honoring George and Amal Clooney. In line with his vocal versatility, Bargassé has also shared the stage with both Andy Williams and Josh Groban as a background singing artist. Equally at home in the classical arena, his notable concert appearances include singing the prisoner in Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” tenor soloist in Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and a featured soloist in selections from Carlos Simon’s “Good News Mass” all with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Bargassé has made musical appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Soulful Symphony. In addition, Bargassé has enjoyed a continued professional relationship with Cincinnati Opera as a core chorister for seven seasons.

Bargassé has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at CCM, and he will officially begin his new role at CCM on Aug. 15, 2026.

Read his full bio → https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/07/ccm-welcomes-new-musical-theatre-faculty-member-avery-bargasse.html



📸 New CCM faculty member Avery Bargassé. Photo/provided

CCM Media Production is heading to LA! Join Dean Pete Jutras and Media Production Division Head Kevin Burke for a special reception celebrating the professional achievements of our Bearcat community.

This year’s program features a screening of current student work, an update on the state of the division and opportunities to connect with alumni and friends of the college. Registration required.

When: 6:30–9 p.m., Thursday, July 30
Where: Solotech Los Angeles Studios | 1017 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90038

Register online: https://www.alumni.uc.edu/get-involved/college-networks/ccm/summer-in-la.html

CCM welcomes Brandon Kelly as our new Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Dance. Kelly is a choreographer, director and educator whose work spans Broadway, regional theatre and major entertainment brands.

As a New York City transplant for 15 years, he has served as Assistant Choreographer for "Come From Away" (Broadway/National Tour). His choreography credits include "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre), "Come From Away" (Virginia Rep.), "Hard Road to Heaven" (Bucks County Playhouse/World Premiere), "The Drowsy Chaperone" (Short North Stage), "Escape to Margaritaville" (Ogunquit Playhouse/Regional Premiere), "Jersey Boys," "The Bridges of Madison County" (SSMT), "RENT" (Conn. Repertory Theatre) and "Cinderella" (CCM).

Already a familiar face at CCM, Kelly previously served as an Artist in Residence for Musical Theatre Dance during the Spring 2026 Semester. He officially begins his new role at CCM on Aug. 15, 2026.

Read his full bio → https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/07/ccm-welcomes-new-musical-theatre-faculty-member-brandon-kelly.html



📸 New CCM faculty member Brandon Kelly. Photo/Zach Cossman

CCM Opera and Voice alumni, let's celebrate! 🎶

Join the CCM Alumni Network July 10–11 for a reunion weekend filled with performances, connection, and Bearcat pride. Reconnect with fellow alumni, enjoy special performances, explore campus, and celebrate the CCM Opera and Voice community.

Registration is open. Advance registration is requested by July 8.

Learn more and register: https://www.alumni.uc.edu/get-involved/college-networks/ccm/opera-reunion.html



📸 Photo by Mark Lyons. CCM's production of "Cendrillon." Watch the full performance on CCM's YouTube Channel!

Meet the cast and creative team who brought this production to life on stage, view our digital program for "Cendrillon": https://www.ccm.uc.edu/programs/2025/November/cendrillon.html

CCM welcomes Joshua Adewole Kerobo, PhD, as our new Assistant Professor of Musicology/Ethnomusicology. Kerobo is an ethnomusicologist, saxophonist and African percussionist hailing from the Northern region of Edo State in Nigeria, as well as Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kerobo’s research in ethnomusicology focuses on African popular music and youth political engagement in Nigeria's Fourth Republic (1999-present). His research also explores Black music development in Cincinnati, music and Black/African religious subjectivities, and sonic affect and discursive citizenship in national sporting events. In addition to being a published scholar, Kerobo is also a musician with a dedication to community engagement.

Read his full bio → https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/06/ccm-welcomes-new-ethnomusicology-faculty-member-joshua-adewole-kerobo.html

Kerobo’s faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026.

CCM welcomes Hiram Diaz as Visiting Artist of Euphonium for 2026-27. A CCM alumnus (BM Euphonium Performance, 2007), Diaz will visit campus four times each semester to teach the euphonium students in CCM Professor of Tuba and Euphonium Timothy Northcut's studio.

Diaz is a euphoniumist, trombonist, vocalist and music educator based in the Washington, D.C., area. A Cuban American, he grew up in Miami, Florida, surrounded by the Latin-American diaspora and its incredible contributions to the arts. As a performer, he has played solo and recital performances throughout the United States and abroad. He has been a featured soloist at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, featured frequently at International Tuba and Euphonium Conferences, and with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band on their National Concert tour.

Read his full bio → https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/06/ccm-welcomes-hiram-diaz-as-visiting-artist-of-euphonium.html

📸 Photo/Joe LeBlanc

As reported by Movers & Makers Cincinnati, CCM alumnus Charles Peck (MM Composition, 2012) was recently named the winner of the 2026 Kreitler Commission Competition. The competition, which is open to composers of any nationality and age, is organized by Summermusik, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra in partnership with Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in North Carolina and Reno Chamber Orchestra. Launched in 2024, the competition supports the creation of new works for chamber orchestra and it has already attracted international attention.

Learn more → https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/06/ccm-grad-charles-peck-wins-summermusiks-composition-competition.html

CCM welcomes Ben Nicholson as our new Assistant Professor of Immersive Media and Visuals for Live Events. A CCM alumnus (MFA Lighting Design & Technology, 2025), Nicholson’s faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026, and he will work with college leadership to develop classes, content and programming in Live and Immersive Media at CCM. He will also oversee CCM’s state-of-the-art Extended Reality (XR) Studio, a virtual production space that allows students, faculty and staff to blend traditional physical performances with an immersive virtual environment created by the studio's 16x10 foot LED wall.

Nicholson is an immersive media educator, creative producer and experience designer working at the intersection of live entertainment, emerging technology and higher education. His work focuses on preparing the next generation of creators for careers in virtual production, immersive experiences, concert touring, projection mapping, interactive media and experiential storytelling. Through his teaching, creative practice and industry partnerships, Nicholson is helping shape the emerging field of Live and Immersive Media and is leading the development of a new academic program dedicated to preparing students for the future of experience-driven entertainment and media.

Read his full bio → https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/06/ccm-welcomes-ben-nicholson-as-assistant-professor-of-immersive-media-and-live-events.html

📸 Photo/Jon Willis