If you graduated from any SOTA program, we would love to hear from you! Fill out our Alumni Update form and you may be featured on our website and other publications!
Graduates of the Art & Design Program are professional artists, designers, arts educators and arts administrators. They have successful careers in a variety of art-related fields and world-renowned design firms. Graduates are studying at leading MFA programs across the country and are teaching in universities and K-12 schools. You can see the work of our alumni on exhibit in galleries and museums across Greater Cincinnati.
Gina recently brought her mural design for the Newport Flood Wall on Dave Cowens Drive to completion for the city's 225th Anniversary! This mural, entitled "Education Empowers", tells the story of the Southgate Street School; the original building stands today and is now the home of the Newport History Museum. It was the first and only school for Black children in Newport immediately following the Civil War. The 19-panel wall will eventually become a chronological timeline of Newport's rich history.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I chose NKU's Visual Arts program first and foremost because of its professors. I researched their personal artwork and found a diverse array of styles unified by their respective excellence. I believed that these artists and teachers could expand my perspective and lead me towards a path that would elevate my own unique skill set, which is exactly what happened. I am eternally grateful for Kevin Muente, JeeEun Lee, Marc Leone, and Steven Finke.
Oen Michael Hammonds (BFA Graphic Design, 1999), Design Principal, Employee Experience Design at IBM, was recently selected to be one of the jurors in Fast Company’s international 2020 Innovation by Design Awards.
Hammonds travels the globe as a design advocate and onboarding leader within IBM’s enormous design and engineering teams. In 2015, as part of Cincinnati Design Week, he conducted an in-class design workshop and spoke at NKU about his work in radical collaboration, user-centered empathy, and the legacy of IBM’s innovation-based culture that he has been integral in evolving.
Aside from teaching amazing Art and Design students at University of Kentucky as Assistant Professor of Digital and Print Media, David also currently has work in an online exhibition, FACT/itious, at Morlan Gallery, Transylvania University. He'll also have work in the exhibition, This is America*, at UK Art Museum in October. David earned an MFA in Studio Art from Purdue University in 2012.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I grew up in small-town Western Kentucky, and was excited to study in an exciting Art program near a big city.
Graduates of the Music Program pursue successful careers as professional performers, college and university faculty, public school music teachers, private studio instructors and in allied fields within the music industry. They are pursuing graduate studies at The Juilliard School, Indiana University–Bloomington, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Iowa State University, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
My experience at NKU was vital to my current success as a band director. James Bunte, my saxophone instructor during my time at NKU taught me so much about not only how to play and perform, but also how to teach. With the faculty connections I was also able to garner a lot of teaching experience in the NKY area which helped me hone my teaching skills before I ever stepped foot in the classroom. I also developed great relationships with my fellow students during my time at NKU, and many of those friends are current band directors in the area or they have helped me as instructors.
The best thing about NKU to me was the wealth of opportunities that were available, both to perform and to teach. I was able to immerse myself in numerous musical performance opportunities as well as develop extensive connections via teaching in the NKY/Cincinnati Area.
Sarah DeMoor (BM Vocal Performance, 2019) is currently finishing her master's degree in vocal performance at the University of Louisville and plans to continue studying, in the hopes to eventually earn a doctoral degree in Vocal Pedagogy. For the time being, she teaches and performs as much as possible, despite the challenging nature of recent world events.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I felt a connection to the campus and area immediately and grew to love the professors who helped inspire and strengthen my passion to perform and teach music.
Natasha Pence (Piano Pedagogy, 2012) is currently a piano teacher with NKU Music Prep, assistant director of the piano department of the Cincinnati Music Academy, and the President-Elect of the Kentucky Music Teachers Association - KMTA. She is also a freelance collaborative pianist.
Natasha's Experience at NKU:
My education in the Piano Pedagogy program at NKU allowed me to rise to the next level as a teacher, musician, and music professional. The pedagogy coursework gave me a more intimate knowledge of pedagogical and business practices associated with private and group teaching. My piano studies with Dr. Diana Belland helped me make great strides, both technically and musically, as a performer. While at NKU I developed close relationships with faculty members that I value greatly.
I came to NKU having already earned a Bachelor's degree in piano performance, but ready to focus on building a full-time teaching career. The structure of the program let me attend my required classes during the day and teach in the evening. The Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Chapter at NKU led me to many opportunities for professional development and networking. In addition, the NKU music faculty has worked to utilize university and community resources to help students establish their careers. These opportunities are directly responsible for the teaching positions and professional relationships I hold today.
After graduating from NKU, Arianna Ranieri (BM Performance, 2017) moved to Glasgow, Scotland, to pursue a Masters's Degree in music performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she graduated in July 2021. While there, she joined a Scottish folk band called Sandy and the Sunflowers, a branch off the original locally infamous Glasgow band, The Vagabonds. She also performed in various orchestral projects, mixed ensembles and with her string quartet, Blythswood Quartet, a group formed of all postgraduate students last year.
Arianna began her own teaching studio in Glasgow and took up teaching positions across west Scotland teaching upper strings, and completed studies and modules in pedagogy and teaching during postgraduate studies. She recently accepted a tenured position as an Upper Strings Instructor for Fife Council, teaching across the region along the East coast, from Kirkcaldy all the way up to Anstruther near Crail and St. Andrews. In addition, Arianna is still performing recitals and doing recording projects and performing in an RCS alumnae recital in November.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I wanted to study with my childhood teacher, Dr. Holly Attar, who became the resident viola professor. She was my idol and inspiration. She still is!
Gary Ruschman (BM Performance - Voice, 1997) is an ASCAP award-winning composer, with music featured on BBC Two and commissioned by Minnesota Opera and the American Composers Forum. He currently serves as music director of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Ovation Chamber Choir, and Mixed Precipitation's annual Picnic Operetta in his home of the Twin Cities.
Gary enjoys an international performing career, recently appearing in concert in Prague, Paris, and Urbino, and released his solo debut album, Biggest Sky, in December of 2019.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I began at NKU as a visual art major but quickly moved over to the music program due to the hands-on interest of the faculty into my future as a performer, and the camaraderie of fellow students. I came out prepared for a graduate program in voice and professional singing work, and once out working in the industry, I found that my musical education was comparable to colleagues from some of the top music schools in the country.
Hannah Shirkey (BM Music Education, 2017) is still residing in Cincinnati, Ohio, and working in higher education as Assistant Director, Office of Undergraduate Admission at Xavier University. At XU, she is responsible for the admission processes of students from Kentucky, as well as music and theatre students, and coordinates scholarship awards.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I loved the location of NKU and its proximity to Cincinnati. I also felt it was the best program that I got to tour in the state of Kentucky and felt I’d have the most opportunities as an undergraduate student.
NKU’s Music Program shaped me into the musician that I am today. In high school, I spent little time on music outside of jazz. Outside of my theory knowledge, I knew very little about music. In fact, before making the change from the sciences to the music program, I had virtually no understanding of what constituted an aural skills class, or the difference between Bach and Wagner. My knowledge of music was essentially nil. The music faculty helped me transcend my inadequacies and shifted my ignorance into knowledge. The small class sizes allowed me to have personal conversations with various faculty members leading to discussion-based classwork, an important facet of graduate studies.
The most positive attribute of the Music Program at NKU is the daily interactions with highly capable professionals in the music field. Whereas in some universities, it takes weeks to schedule an appointment to converse with a faculty member, all of the faculty that I had experience with were more than willing to interact with students at any given time. In addition to meeting in an office, I often had conversations in hallways, in Greaves Concert Hall, and even in the parking lot. The size of the department may have a slight impact, however it is overwhelmingly evident that the faculty cares not only about the intellectual growth, but the personal well being of students as well.
Eden Smock (BM Music Education, 2017) is currently in her 3rd year of teaching at her alma mater, Wynford Local Schools. She teaches elementary music and grades 6-12 choir. Eden is engaged to be married in July 2021 and owns a house with her amazing fiancé and our 2 pups, Juniper and Zadie.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I chose NKU because it was down to earth. The small class sizes allowed me to get the most out of my education and truly excel! I loved being a Norse!
While my music degree officially includes a piano emphasis, I became very involved with music composition starting in my second year at NKU. I got to study under some wonderful faculty.
Even though I have pursued a non-musical career, my music studies at NKU greatly prepared me for both grad school and the business world. The work ethic, ability to work both individually and within a group context, and systematic approach to solving a problem that result from a musical education have greatly helped me in my career. No other area of study requires the same degree of dedication and self-discipline as music. I owe a great deal to the music faculty at NKU for instilling these principles in me.
My favorite aspect of the NKU Music Program is the individual attention given to students. The Program is optimally sized so that students receive abundant one on one time with applied lesson instructors and other professors, while there are still numerous potential ensembles and performing opportunities to become involved with.
Graduates of the Theatre & Dance Program are working in professional theatres in every major city in the United States and on five continents, having successful careers on Broadway and in regional theatre, in film and television, on cruise ships and in theme parks. They are studying at leading MFA programs across the country and are teaching in universities, public and private schools. You can see our alumni at every theatre in the Greater Cincinnati area, both on and off stage.
Roderick Justice (BFA Musical Theatre, 2007) is a member of The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and has been producing theatre for nearly two decades. He’s an award-winning choreographer, actor, director, costume designer, playwright, adjudicator, and mentor to hundreds of young performers. Originally hailing from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Roderick has trained and worked in cities all over the United States, in Canada and Europe, but now proudly calls Cincinnati his home.
The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) welcomed him in 2008 as the company’s first full-time Associate Artistic Director. He became the Program Director of The STAR Program, the highly-acclaimed musical theatre training program for young performers ages 9 to 18. Many of his STAR alums have gone on to great success on Broadway, TV, and film.
Roderick’s tenure has been driven by his passion for live theatre-for-youth, the impact the arts have on early childhood development, and harnessing the power of storytelling to change the world for the next generation. Since becoming the Producing Artistic Director of TCT in 2015, he has commissioned and produced over a dozen new musicals, plays, and world-premiere adaptations.
He often works as a free-lance guest artist, director, and choreographer for other arts organizations, including as his alma mater, Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts (SOTA), The School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), the award-winning Commonwealth Theatre Company, The Carnegie, and The Lincoln Amphitheater (Lincoln City, IN).
Most recently Roderick accepted the Sara Spencer Child Drama award on behalf of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati at the 2020 Southeastern Theatre Conference.
Lizzie Lotterer (BA Theatre Arts, 2020) recently moved to Maine and is currently working for the Portland Stage Company, an equity regional theatre.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I liked the wide range of classes in the Theatre and Dance program. It's really helped me find employment, especially in the pandemic!
Anna Schindler Brown (BFA Musical Theatre, 2019) is currently the Music Teacher at Queen of Peace Catholic School. After graduation, she toured for 9 months with the Missoula Children's Theatre as a Tour Actor/Director. She traveled all around the U.S., teaching an hour-long show to kids ages 5-18.
Why did you choose to study at NKU SOTA?
I felt like the faculty really cared about my education and helped me succeed. I was able to define myself creatively and make life long connections with faculty and fellow students.
Kat Wolf (BA Integrative Studies Creative Arts, 2016) recently opened Northern Kentucky Dancewear (NKY Dancewear) just three minutes from NKU! The mission of Northern Kentucky Dancewear is to serve the dancing and performing arts community in order for all performers, teachers, and students to find quality products and superior service. We provide onsite fittings, delivery and support to studios and the performing arts community. We are committed to supporting the arts within Cincinnati, and foster individuals who are confident, competent and growing while learning the art of dance. Northern Kentucky Dancewear provides dancers the availability of quality products and services every single day at affordable prices.
Kat was a part of the NKU Athletics Dance Team, a member of the NKU SOTA Dance Tour Troupe, and involved in numerous faculty dance concerts as well as showcasing her own choreography. She also founded the Emerging Choreographers Showcase (ECS); a fully student-run production to increase visibility of choreographers. Studying within SOTA allowed Kat to pursue all avenues of her arts abilities and passions!
