Cincinnati Arts Association Names 2023 Overture Award Recipients

Cellist Ari Peraza-Webb and jazz vocalist Sophia Troyer were named the winners in the two music categories

The Cincinnati Arts Association's Overture Awards celebrates excellence in the arts for local students in grades 9-12. The awards are given across six disciplines: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theatre, visual art, and vocal music.

The winner of the Instrumental Music award is seventeen-year-old cellist Ari Peraza-Webb, who is in Grade 12 at Wyoming High School. Peraza-Webb made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of six, and has performed on NPR’s From The Top radio show with hosts Tessa Lark and Peter Dugan. This April, he will appear as soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony, performing Barber's Cello Concerto.

Ari Peraza-Webb

Sophia Troyer was named the recipient of the Vocal Music award. Originally a double bass player, Troyer played in both the symphony orchestra and the jazz orchestra at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. At the encouragement of her teacher, she began studying jazz voice, and won the award for Outstanding Vocal Soloist at the 2022 Essentially Ellington competition.

Sophia Troyer

The Cincinnati Arts Organization also runs an award celebrating local Arts Educators. In 2023, the recipients of the Arts Educators award were Hong Cheng, Kathy Cammett, and John Ingram.