Nancy F. Walker Scholarship 2026 WINNERS
Matinée Musicale Cincinnati Awards $54,500 in Scholarships!
A group of talented high school and collegiate musicians walked away with thousands of dollars in scholarship money after impressing judges during the ninth annual Nancy F. Walker Memorial Scholarship Auditions. Sponsored by Matinée Musicale Cincinnati, the awards program awarded a total $54,500 in scholarships to classical instrumental and vocal students.
High School Instrumental
First Place: Autumn Rinaldi, Cello
Second Place: Sophia Suwiryo, Piano
Third Place: Becket Ceron, Guitar
Encouragement Awards: George Kaiser, Tuba, and Cecelia Lehmann, Violin
College Instrumental
First Place: Juliana Matteo, Harp
Second Place: Krish Subramanian, Cello
Third Place: Jamie Clark, Cello
Encouragement Awards: Elliott Watras, Cello, and Ruike Yang, Violin
High School Voice
First Place: William Wittekind, Baritone
Second Place: Ray Muenzer, Tenor
Third Place: Marin Elyse Longbottom, Soprano
Encouragement Awards: Genevieve Howard, Soprano, and Kiersten Bennett, Mezzo
College Voice
First Place: Ella Clark, Mezzo
Second Place: Jack Bunch, Tenor
Third Place: Ayan Yacob, Soprano
Encouragement Awards: Noyi Soto Anglade, Baritone, and Sara Springett, Soprano
The scholarship honors Nancy Fuldner Walker, a musician, teacher and arts advocate who led Matinée Musicale Cincinnati for over four decades until her death in 2017. The organization established the scholarship to continue Walker’s legacy of supporting young musicians.
VOCAL JUDGES
Kathy Cammett: Master of Music with distinction from Royal Northern College of Music;
Certificate in Vocology from the National Center for Voice and Speech; Founder of Golden Voice Studio, with 20 years performing and teaching
Kimberly de Acha: Career in opera, musical theatre, television and theatre; on faculty of University of Florida, Miami Frost School of Music and CCM
D. Michael Heath: Concert Artist/Broadway Performer /Educator/Director-Producer; has concertized throughout the U.S., Canada and England
INSTRUMENTAL JUDGES
Polina Bespalko: Professor of Piano and Keyboard Coordinator, Music Program at Xavier University; Director of Xavier U. Music Series
Susan Petersen: Cellist for 44 years with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Pops, May Festival, Opera, Ballet and CSO Chamber Players; solo album Swan Song in 2013
Dale Swisher: Violinist and conductor; served for 35 years as Orchestra Director at Anderson High School; served as Director of Xavier University Chamber Orchestra
Nancy Fuldner Walker, memorialized by these scholarships, was a musician, music teacher and strong advocate for all music and arts organizations. She provided able leadership to Matinée Musicale for more than four decades before her death in October 2017. Matinée Musicale Cincinnati honors her legacy of support and encouragement of young musicians through these scholarships.
*ELIGIBILITY
Students who reside or attend school in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana are eligible to receive scholarships.
QUESTIONS?
Please contact Jane Copper-Short at jcoppershort@gmail.com.
