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
University Chorale and Orchestra to Perform at Pumpkin Show
Published: October 20, 2015
The University Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Community Chorus under the
direction of Dr. Dione Bennett will be performing at the Circleville Pumpkin
Show on the Pickaway County Visitors Pavilion Stage on Franklin Street on
Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 5:00-5:30 p.m.. Additionally, the University
Chamber Winds, Chamber Strings, and the Chamber Wind and String Ensemble will
be performing on the Franklin Street Stage on Friday, October 23, 2015 from
4:30-5:15 p.m.
The University Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Community Chorus under the
direction of Dr. Dione Bennett will be performing at the Circleville Pumpkin
Show on the Pickaway County Visitors Pavilion Stage on Franklin Street on
Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 5:00-5:30 p.m.. Additionally, the University
Chamber Winds, Chamber Strings, and the Chamber Wind and String Ensemble will
be performing
The University Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Community Chorus under the
direction of Dr. Dione Bennett will be performing at the Circleville Pumpkin
Show on the Pickaway County Visitors Pavilion
Mother/Daughter “Duet” Win Selfie Contest
Published: June 19, 2015
OCU traditional student Abbie Ailes and her mother, Jill, are the winners of
the Sentimental Selfie Contest put on by The Lorenz Corporation – a
Dayton-based publishing company specializing in sacred and school music.Abbie
and her mom won the award for Most Sentimental Story and Creative Picture.
For winning they’ll receive $125 in Lorenz music and are featured in
Lorenz’s Fall 2015 Anthem promotion.We talked with Allie about her talent,
faith, relationship with her mom, and her walk with the Lord.Ohio Christian
University: How is your skill with violin related with your relationship
OCU traditional student Abbie Ailes and her mother, Jill, are the winners of
the Sentimental Selfie Contest put on by The Lorenz Corporation – a
Dayton-based publishing company specializing in sacred and school music.Abbie
and her mom won the award for Most Sentimental Story and Creative Picture.
For winning they’ll receive $125 in Lorenz music and are featured in
Lorenz’s Fall 2015 Anthem
OCU traditional student Abbie Ailes and her mother, Jill, are the winners of
the Sentimental Selfie Contest put on by The Lorenz Corporation – a
Dayton-based publishing company specializing in
OCU Music Department Awarded Grant by the Pickaway County Community Foundation
Published: November 5, 2013
Ohio Christian University Department of Music would like to announce that
they have been awarded a generous grant from the Pickaway County Community
Foundation in support of the Music Department’s Performance Series. Over
the past six years, the OCU Music Department has actively endeavored to
contribute to the musical culture of Pickaway County by hosting free concerts
by musical artists from around the state and the nation.“The Music
Department is highly honored by the generous grant of the Pickaway County
Community Foundation,” commented Dr. John Anthony, chair of the OCU Music
Ohio Christian University Department of Music would like to announce that
they have been awarded a generous grant from the Pickaway County Community
Foundation in support of the Music Department’s Performance Series. Over
the past six years, the OCU Music Department has actively endeavored to
contribute to the musical culture of Pickaway County by hosting free concerts
by musical artists
Ohio Christian University Department of Music would like to announce that
they have been awarded a generous grant from the Pickaway County Community
Foundation in support of the Music Department’s
OCU Worship Leadership Program Selected as Best of the Best by Worship Leader Magazine
Published: September 18, 2013
Ohio Christian University’s Worship Leadership program has been selected
as one of the top worship programs of 2013 by Worship Leader magazine.
Ohio Christian University is featured as an Editor’s Pick selection in the
Higher Education Worship Degrees category for the 2013 Worship Leader
Magazine Best of the Best Issue, released in October. According to Worship
Leader magazine, this special issue features the top resources and products
that influenced the services of worship in the past calendar year.
"Earning this honor during our first year is an unexpected surprise,
affirming the
Ohio Christian University’s Worship Leadership program has been selected
as one of the top worship programs of 2013 by Worship Leader magazine.
Ohio Christian University is featured as an Editor’s Pick selection in the
Higher Education Worship Degrees category for the 2013 Worship Leader
Magazine Best of the Best Issue, released in October. According to Worship
Leader magazine, this special
Ohio Christian University’s Worship Leadership program has been selected
as one of the top worship programs of 2013 by Worship Leader magazine.
Ohio Christian University is featured as an Editor’s
OCU Receives Music Grant
Published: July 31, 2013
Ohio Christian University (OCU) announced that the Miriam Ruggles Adkins
Foundation of Pickaway County has awarded OCU a grant in order to support the
concert activities of the university. Over the past six years, the OCU Music
Department has actively endeavored to contribute to the musical culture of
Pickaway County by hosting free concerts with musical artists from around the
state and the nation. “We are so excited and grateful that the Miriam
Ruggles Adkins Foundation has made this gesture of support for our efforts to
bring great music and musicians to Pickaway County,” said OCU
Ohio Christian University (OCU) announced that the Miriam Ruggles Adkins
Foundation of Pickaway County has awarded OCU a grant in order to support the
concert activities of the university. Over the past six years, the OCU Music
Department has actively endeavored to contribute to the musical culture of
Pickaway County by hosting free concerts with musical artists from around the
state and the
Ohio Christian University (OCU) announced that the Miriam Ruggles Adkins
Foundation of Pickaway County has awarded OCU a grant in order to support the
concert activities of the university. Over the
