2018 Overture Awards Winners
CREATIVE WRITING: Frances Timberlake – grade 12, School for Creative & Performing Arts
HOMETOWN: Clifton, OH – Frances studies Creative Writing at SCPA, where writing became an outgrowth of her love for theater and storytelling. Most recently, Frances was named a National YoungArts Finalist and nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts, in addition to earning recognition through the National Scholastic Writing Awards.
DANCE: Drake Phouasavanh – grade 12, Conner High School
DANCE: Drake Phouasavanh – grade 12, Conner High School
HOMETOWN: Florence, KY – Drake is a competitive dancer with the Expressions Dance Theatre Sundancer team and a past Overture Awards Finalist. He trains in all dance genres, attended the 2017 Cincinnati Ballet Summer Intensive on a scholarship, and has performed in multiple musical theatre productions. He thanks his mom for all of his motivation and drive: "Dream bigger baby. Dream bigger."
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: Kash Sewell – grade 12, Beechwood High School
HOMETOWN: Fort Mitchell, KY – Kash has participated in the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble, Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, and Kentucky All-State Bands. He is a well-rounded young man with diverse interests. He practices his saxophone devotedly, not from any sense of obligation, but because of the sheer joy he derives from playing and performing.
THEATER: Ellie O’Hara – grade 11, Notre Dame Academy High School/Marilyn Zelcer Studio
HOMETOWN: Park Hills, KY – Since third grade, Ellie has kept true to her dream of becoming a Broadway actress. She studies with both Marilyn Zelcer at Musical Arts Center and Moss Dance Academy. She has played many roles throughout her career, her favorite being Belle in Beauty and the Beast this past summer. Her ambitions are to pursue musical theatre in college and head to the bright lights of New York.
VISUAL ART: Anne Knellinger – grade 12, Walnut Hills High School
HOMETOWN: Pleasant Ridge, OH – Anne began pursuing her artistic interests at a very young age, and started taking AP Art courses in tenth grade. She has won Gold Keys in the National Scholastic competition. She enjoys volunteering, running cross country, and playing ultimate frisbee with her friends. She plans to pursue a career in design.
VOCAL MUSIC: Natalie Choo – grade 12, Seven Hills School/Karl Resnick Studio
HOMETOWN: Montgomery, OH – Natalie studies voice with Karl Resnik at the Musical Arts Center and participates in the Young Artists Preparatory Program, directed by Lincoln Chapman. She has attended summer programs at the Curtis Institute of Music and CCM. She was a Finalist at the Schmidt Vocal Competition, Finalist for the 2018 YoungArts National Arts Competition, and recently nominated a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.