The OCU Music Department welcomes Dr. Dione Bennett as its newest adjunct voice and choral faculty member. Dr. Bennett brings to her position a background in classical singing and gospel music, a deep commitment to Christ, and a love for vocal instruction.Her voice has been heard in operas, recitals, and oratorios both nationwide and internationally. She has performed Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen, Bess in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess; Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème; Suor Genevieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, to name a few. She has also appeared as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Schubert’s Mass in G, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, and Mozart’s Vespers. Dr. Bennett has been featured with such orchestras as the Warren Philharmonic, Akron Symphony, Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Eastern Illinois Symphony, as well as Opera Cleveland and Opera Western Reserve.Dr. Bennett is the Artistic Director of Opera Project Columbus. She holds a Bachelors and Masters of Music degree from the University of Akron and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Ashland. Further study has taken her to the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.Dr. Bennet is an exciting new addition to our faculty and we are proud to welcome her to the OCU music faculty.
Articles of Interest
An Evening With Mark Lee
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University is excited to host an upcoming concert, “An
Evening with Mark Lee,” organized by Living by Faith Ministries. Lee is a
founding member and guitarist for popular Christian rock band Third Day. The
concert will be taking place on Sept. 16 from 7:00-8:30 pm, with doors
opening at 6:00.
Lee will perform songs from Third Day and his album Unshakeable Heart. He
will also share about his book, “Hurt Road,” in which he writes about the
hardships he has faced throughout his life. The concert will include a Q
Ohio Christian University is excited to host an upcoming concert, “An
Evening with Mark Lee,” organized by Living by Faith Ministries. Lee is a
founding member and guitarist for popular Christian rock band Third Day. The
concert will be taking place on Sept. 16 from 7:00-8:30 pm, with doors
opening at 6:00.
Lee will perform songs from Third Day and his album Unshakeable Heart. He
will also
Ohio Christian University is excited to host an upcoming concert, “An
Evening with Mark Lee,” organized by Living by Faith Ministries. Lee is a
founding member and guitarist for popular Christian
Ohio Christian Receives Four New Steinway Designed Pianos
Published: July 24, 2019
As part of a larger goal to become an All-Steinway School, Ohio Christian
University recently purchased four upright Boston model pianos designed by
Steinway
As part of a larger goal to become an All-Steinway School, Ohio Christian
University recently purchased four upright Boston model pianos designed by
Steinway
As part of a larger goal to become an All-Steinway School, Ohio Christian
University recently purchased four upright Boston model pianos designed by
Steinway
OCU To Hold Nashville Styled Songwriting Boot Camp
Published: March 25, 2019
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an experience like they might get in
Nashville if they went to a songwriting conference,” Martin said. “The
order of events is very similar to the conferences I’ve been to.”
The event will be held in OCU’s
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this event after experiencing many similar writing workshops in
Nashville, TN.
“My heart for the day was just to create an opportunity for song writers in
central Ohio to come together and get an
by Keegan D’Alfonso
Ohio Christian University will hold its first songwriting conference on March
30 from 9:00 am to 5 pm. Michelle Martin, Coordinator of Worship Arts at OCU,
envisioned this
Archived Articles of Interest
Student Profile: Kyle Benecke Leaves Comfort Zone
Published: August 27, 2019
Junior Kyle Benecke has a slew of rising talents. While being on Sports Link
and starring in Track and Cross Country, Kyle maintains superior academic
standing. One may think this cool kid with the Mohawk can't possibly do
anything else. But, when asked about some of his favorite activities, Kyle
brings up his band, Leaving Cardboard Houses, as if it were nothing.
Serving as lead singer, songwriter, and ukulele player, Kyle and drummer
Chris Volzke make up the band. Although they are just two, they sure know
how to fill a stage with musical presence. Writing, producing, managing, and
Junior Kyle Benecke has a slew of rising talents. While being on Sports Link
and starring in Track and Cross Country, Kyle maintains superior academic
standing. One may think this cool kid with the Mohawk can't possibly do
anything else. But, when asked about some of his favorite activities, Kyle
brings up his band, Leaving Cardboard Houses, as if it were nothing.
Serving as lead singer,
Junior Kyle Benecke has a slew of rising talents. While being on Sports Link
and starring in Track and Cross Country, Kyle maintains superior academic
standing. One may think this cool kid with the
OCU Musicians Featured at Local Scholarship Gala
Published: October 27, 2016
The Ted Lewis Museum’s Fifth Annual Scholarship Gala “Steppin’ Out at
the Ted Lewis Club” occurred earlier this month on Saturday, October 1st,
2016. Patrons arrived in black tie or 1920’s period dress for the occasion.
They were served by a full service staff of uniformed doormen, elevator
operators, maître d’ and waiters. The five course meal was recreated from
the menu of Rector’s Restaurant in New York, where Ted Lewis made his debut
playing clarinet and leading Earl Fuller’s Famous Jazz Band 100 years
ago.
The event featured an exciting floor show and dancing to the music of
The Ted Lewis Museum’s Fifth Annual Scholarship Gala “Steppin’ Out at
the Ted Lewis Club” occurred earlier this month on Saturday, October 1st,
2016. Patrons arrived in black tie or 1920’s period dress for the occasion.
They were served by a full service staff of uniformed doormen, elevator
operators, maître d’ and waiters. The five course meal was recreated from
the menu of Rector’s
The Ted Lewis Museum’s Fifth Annual Scholarship Gala “Steppin’ Out at
the Ted Lewis Club” occurred earlier this month on Saturday, October 1st,
2016. Patrons arrived in black tie or 1920’s period
OCU Music at the Pumpkin Show
Published: October 24, 2016
The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show took place downtown Circleville, OH this
last week from October 19-23. On Wednesday, October 19, the OCU Chorale
performed God with percussionist John Dunn, and God is Here featuring
soloist Jacquelyn Patty. The Chorale
The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show took place downtown Circleville, OH this
last week from October 19-23. On Wednesday, October 19, the OCU Chorale
performed God with percussionist John Dunn, and God is Here featuring
soloist Jacquelyn Patty. The Chorale
The annual Circleville Pumpkin Show took place downtown Circleville, OH this
last week from October 19-23. On Wednesday, October 19, the OCU Chorale
performed God with percussionist John Dunn, and
Dr. Rebecca Johnson serves as President of MTNA
Published: October 5, 2016
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university music teachers. During the summer
of 2016 she traveled extensively as a representative of MTNA and presenter.
Immediately after chairing a 3-day meeting of the Board of Directors in July,
Dr. Johnson flew to Europe, where she presented a 60-minute session on
developing self-direction in adult music students at the International
Society of Music Education (ISME) in Glasgow, Scotland. Following
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university music teachers. During the summer
of 2016 she traveled extensively as a representative of MTNA and presenter.
Immediately after chairing a 3-day meeting of the Board of Directors in July,
Dr.
Rebecca Grooms Johnson, PhD, NCTM, is currently serving as President of the
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – a professional organization of
approximately 22,000 private and university
Dean Judges Piano Guild in Michigan
Published: September 19, 2016
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125 students at the Evola Music
Center.
Piano Guild, based in Austin, Texas, judges over 125,000 students every
spring from all over the United States and several foreign countries. The
students prepare from one to fifteen pieces and skills to play for the judge.
95% of those pieces are memorized.
In Detroit, Dean enjoyed meeting some of the international teachers from
Russia and Costa Rica. Dean
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125 students at the Evola Music
Center.
Piano Guild, based in Austin, Texas, judges over 125,000 students every
spring from all over the United States and several foreign countries. The
students prepare
Mary Jane Dean, Adjunct Faculty at Ohio Christian University for over 25
years, was asked to judge students for the international piano guild in
Detroit in May of 2016. She judged over 125
