March 12, 2026

Welcome to the IH Arts Conservatory Weekly Newsletter!

In this week’s edition of The Director’s Chair, I had the privilege of sitting down with two extraordinary IHHS students, Grace Yu and Jinming Gu, who have been named Overture Awards Finalists.

After months of preparation and multiple rounds of competition, Grace and Jinming have advanced to the Finals Competition this Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 pm at the Aronoff Center; Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Grace will compete in the Instrumental Music category, while Jinming will represent Indian Hill in the Visual Arts category.

In our conversation, Grace and Jinming share what the journey to the finals has been like, what they will be performing and presenting, and the dedication it has taken to reach this stage of the competition. Their passion, artistry, and commitment to their craft truly reflect the excellence of the IH Arts Conservatory.

We are incredibly proud of both students and invite our community to come out and support them as they represent Indian Hill among the region’s most talented young artists!

Click here to view this week's video!

IHHS

• March 26- April 3: Band & Orchestra European Trip

IHMS

• Friday, February 27: IHMS Art Show Blue Ash Rec Center
• Saturday, March 14: 9:30 am-5:00 pm Finding Nemo JR. Cue to Cue
• Sunday, March 15-Thursday, March 19: IHMS Spring Musical Tech Week
• Friday, March 20: 7:00 pm Opening Night Finding Nemo JR.
• Saturday, March 21: 7:00 pm Closing Night Finding Nemo JR.

IHES

• Wednesday, March 18: 5:00 pm Grade 4 Ukulele Performances

IHPS

• Monday, March 23: 6:00 pm 1st Grade Music Presentation
• Tuesday, March 24: 6:00 pm 1st Grade Music Presentation
• Wednesday, March 25: 6:00 pm 1st Grade Music Presentation

This past Sunday, the IH Arts Conservatory proudly hosted the inaugural IH Arts Conservatory Hall of Fame celebration, an inspiring afternoon dedicated to honoring the legacy, talent, and lasting impact of the arts at Indian Hill. It was a wonderful gathering of alumni, families, supporters, and community members who came together to celebrate the individuals whose artistry and contributions continue to shape and elevate our program.

We were honored to recognize the first-ever Hall of Fame inductees: Sailor Betts, Rising Star Award; Tom Tsuchiya, Distinguished Art Award; and Steve Strider, Legacy Art Award. Each of these individuals represents the spirit of creativity, dedication, and excellence that defines the IH Arts Conservatory.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a meaningful celebration. Congratulations again to our inaugural inductees—we are proud to celebrate your achievements and your lasting connection to the arts at Indian Hill.

The Overture Awards is the region’s largest solo arts competition for students in grades 9–12 across Greater Cincinnati. Presented by the Cincinnati Arts Association, the program recognizes and rewards excellence in the arts while encouraging arts education as an essential part of a student’s academic experience. Students compete in six artistic disciplines — Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music — through multiple rounds of adjudication before finalists are selected.



The 2026 Overture Awards Finals Competition & Awards Ceremony will take place Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 PM in the Jarson-Kaplan Theater at the Aronoff Center. We invite members of the Indian Hill community to come out and support IHHS finalists Grace Yu (Instrumental Music) and Jinming Gu (Visual Art) as they represent our school among the region’s most talented young artists. Tickets and event information are available through the Cincinnati Arts Association website.

Regional judging for the Governor's Youth Art Exhibition took place this past weekend and 8 Indian Hill High School students advanced 17 pieces to the state judging round.

Southwest Ohio had almost 600 entries and 114 works will be moving on to the second and final round of judging at the statewide level. Three different judges rated the work on a 0.5 - 10 scale and their scores were averaged together to select the top 20% of works.

Congratulations to :

Sylvie Gumlaw

Jenisha Rana, 2 pieces

Olivia Zhao, 3 pieces

Caroline Winks

Clairette Yang

Jinming Gu, 3 pieces

Iris Xu, 2 pieces

Rivvy Green, 4 pieces

State Judging will take place on March 14, 2026! Wishing these artists the best of luck in the next round!

Donut Stop the Music

Cabaret: Legacy

Pictures by Arts Media Student Ihana Balboa

MS Spring Musical: Finding Nemo Jr. — Tickets On Sale Now!

The IHMS Theatre Department is diving under the sea this spring with Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. — a family-friendly favorite filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable music!

Join us as our talented middle school cast and crew bring this beloved story to life! From the adventurous journey across the ocean to the colorful sea creatures along the way, Finding Nemo Jr. is packed with energy, creativity, and the incredible student talent that makes IHMS Theatre shine.

🎟 Tickets are on sale online now

💲 $10 each

📅 Performance Dates: March 20 & March 21

⏰ 7:00 pm

📍 Sue Harder Memorial Performing Arts Center

Bring the whole family and come support our amazing student performers. You won’t want to miss this underwater adventure!

Click here to purchase your tickets today!

Indian Hill Middle School is thrilled to announce that we have several students who will be featured in the Festival of the Arts at the Blue Ash Recreation Center!

The exhibit will be open for public viewing through March 20, 2026 during the following hours:

• Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
• Weekends: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

The show features artwork from IHMS art students as well as pieces from other local area schools. We are so proud of the talent, effort, and creativity our students have demonstrated, and it is an honor to have their work displayed in this community exhibition!

The Red Letter Delivery

It is not too late to subscribe for our brand-new arts experience designed to celebrate and elevate the creativity of our student artists: The Red Letter Delivery!



The Red Letter Delivery is a monthly art subscription that brings the beauty of Indian Hill student artwork directly to your mailbox—delivered in our signature red envelope—for just $8 per month.

Each month, subscribers will receive a professionally printed 5x7 piece of original student art, paired with a personal note from the student artist sharing the inspiration behind their work. It’s a meaningful blend of creativity and storytelling—offering a tangible connection to the imagination, voice, and heart of our students.

All proceeds from The Red Letter Delivery will be reinvested into the Indian Hill Arts Conservatory, directly supporting arts programming and creative opportunities for students across our district. This project is generously sponsored by the Indian Hill Foundation.

Our debut edition, which recently reached the mailboxes of subscribers, celebrates Home for the Holidays and features a stunning portrayal of the Cincinnati skyline by IHHS student artist Norah Condorodis. Her artwork captures warmth, nostalgia, and family history—an especially poignant tribute inspired by her grandfather and great uncle, whose stories are woven into the spirit of the city.

As I shared in the announcement,“This is more than an art subscription—it’s a tangible connection to our students’ imagination and heart. Each red envelope is a moment of surprise and delight, and the artwork inside makes a truly special gift for someone who loves both mail and art.”

Subscriptions are open now, with the first delivery arriving in January 2026. Subscriptions may also be purchased as gifts and mailed anywhere—making The Red Letter Delivery a thoughtful and meaningful present for the art lovers in your life.

I hope you’ll join us in celebrating this beautiful new way to support and experience the arts at Indian Hill—one red envelope at a time.

Join the IH Boosters Board!

Please note: Activities presented within this section of the newsletter are not sponsored by or affiliated with the District. 

Participation is entirely optional and at parents'/guardians' discretion. We are sharing this opportunity because it may be of interest to families and offers programming/events not provided by the District.

Lots happening at CAPA! Our summer camp registrations have opened- we have something amazing ranging from 2nd grade - high school!

Visit  CAPA - Cincinnati Academy of Performing Arts to find the right one for your kiddo.

April 18th will be our Vocal Scholarship Competition. Sign-ups will open at the beginning of March Vocal Competition - CAPA

See flyer for more details!

CONNECT TO THE ARTS