PRIVATE LESSONS
KRISTINE OVERMAN - VOICE, PIANO
Soprano Kristine Overman fell in love with music from a young age, always singing along to her parents’ musical records as a little girl. Recognizing that she had a good voice, her parents sent her to audition for the Michigan Opera Theater Children’s Chorus at the age of 10. While onstage in her first production, Carmen, she fell in love with opera and never stopped. Her flair for the dramatic made her a natural on stage and she never looked back, dedicating her life to the operatic art form. Most recently on the operatic stage, Kristine performed the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon at Opera in the Ozarks. A recent graduate of the University of Houston, she had the pleasure of portraying Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Amelia in Amelia al ballo, Lady Billows in Albert Herring, and Mrs. Pinkerton in the Old Maid and the Thief. Unable to resist a Mozart heroine, she has also portrayed Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito at Music Academy International and the Countess in the Marriage of Figaro at both the University of Michigan and Prague Summer Nights. Other notable roles include Miss Copland in Dinner at Eight, Romilda in Serse and Suor Dolcina in Suor Angelica. On the concert stage, she has sung most notably the soprano solos in the Mozart Requiem and Forrest’s Jubilate Deo. She has also excelled in some prominent competitions, winning 1st prize in the NATS Regional Auditions in Southeast Michigan, taking 3rd place in the George Shirley Vocal Competition and competing as a Finalist in the University of Michigan Concert Competition. Kristine works as a voice teacher where she is inspired on a daily basis by seeing and hearing people from all levels and diverse backgrounds fall in love with all types of music. |
KELLY WALKER - ACTING
Kelly is thrilled to be joining the CAPA team. Kelly began playing piano and being involved in theatre in 4th grade and never looked back! She has her bachelor's in music education from Ohio University and master's from The University of Dayton. She was a public-school choral director for 18 years, including 8 years as co-director of the award-winning middle school show choir Rhythm Express. Her concert choirs took many awards through various competitions and were even recorded for a car commercial jingle! She founded the middle school drama program and annually produced a play/musical. She has been a part of OMEA, ACDA, EdTA and is certified in iTheatrics. Kelly is constantly learning how to best serve the youth she works with and takes pride in guiding future musicians and arts advocates. She currently enjoys freelancing with choral and theatre groups. She is grateful for her husband and two wonderful children, Tara, 11 and Cole, 16. She believes that the power of movement and music is a strong, positive impact on society. |
CLAIRE LOPATKA - VOICE
Claire Lopatka, soprano, is a multifaceted performer and educator. She not only teaches voice lessons, but also therapeutic movement, dance, and fitness. She uses her knowledge to help her voice students harness their whole bodies to unleash their voices. After establishing a healthy base of technique, Claire encourages her students to perform. Her students are regularly cast in musicals, have been accepted into collegiate music programs, and have received high scores at OMEA competitions. Claire believes voice lessons can teach students more than just musical skills, but also self-confidence, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation of music. Claire has performed nationally, both operatic and musical theater roles. Locally, she is a longtime, core member of the Cincinnati Opera Chorus and has performed with multiple local professional choirs and theaters. She is a professional cantor at St. Francis Des Sales Catholic Church and teaches voice at the Musical Arts Center and Walnut Hills High School. Claire received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and her Master’s and Artist Diploma in opera from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. |
GROUP CLASS INSTRUCTORS
JENNAH BLAIR
Jennah Blair is thrilled to join CAPA as a teaching artist. She holds a BA from Wilmington College, where she studied Theatre, Communication Arts, Music & Media. Jennah has been performing since childhood, and her lifelong passion for the arts fuels her commitment to inspiring young learners. As a current youth development specialist for Kennedy Heights Arts Center, her teaching style heavily focuses on social emotional learning, helping students build confidence, empathy, and self-expression through creative exploration. She is excited to bring her expertise and love for the arts to CAPA’s educational programs. |
CAROL BRAMMER
Carol Brammer is a dedicated graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Science and The Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Over the past 22 years, she has developed a methodology for educating students aged 5-15 in staged performance and production, utilizing original scripts and scores to help students set new goals and enhance their social, emotional, and educational wellbeing. As the founder and director of The Liberty Exhibition Hall, The Clifton Performance Theatre and The Kids Act Out arts education program, Carol is committed to helping students find their unique place and voice within the arts. Serving as Artistic Director for CAPA is an honor as she continues to create spaces where artists of all ages can connect with their community. |

JULIA CASTIELLO
Julia Castiello is coming back for her second year as a teaching artist for CAPA. She will be a December 2024 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music studying Music with a focus in Voice. Originally from Music City, or Nashville, TN, she has a love for the performing arts ingrained in her. She has a background performing in and teaching dance, theater, and music. She has formally studied and taught all ages of children in dance at various organizations since she was in high school. She is very passionate about arts education and is excited to be teaching with CAPA this fall!
Julia Castiello is coming back for her second year as a teaching artist for CAPA. She will be a December 2024 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music studying Music with a focus in Voice. Originally from Music City, or Nashville, TN, she has a love for the performing arts ingrained in her. She has a background performing in and teaching dance, theater, and music. She has formally studied and taught all ages of children in dance at various organizations since she was in high school. She is very passionate about arts education and is excited to be teaching with CAPA this fall!
CAREN MINNITI
Caren graduated from the University of Dayton in 2005 with a degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Psychology, Sociology and Women’s Studies. From high school and beyond Caren has been on a stage performing or singing weddings. She’s been creating art from a young age and as an adult, coined her sewing business, Little Red Bird Studio from 2012-2016. When her second daughter was born she stayed home with both children and found her way to coaching kids’ sports, attaining yoga certifications for both kids and adults and creating mindfulness and movement programs! She’s grateful to her two daughters (Stella, 13 and Ana, 9) for bringing their love of musical theater into their home and to her husband John for supporting her work as an “a la carte” artist. Movement, music and many forms of creativity have always fueled Caren and it’s an absolute delight to bring Acting Adventures with Yoga to the CAPA platform! |
JOE MITCHELL
Joe Mitchell (he/him) is very excited to be a teaching artist with CAPA. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education from Xavier University, where he participated in theatre productions as an actor, designer, and technician. Since graduating, he has been a teaching artist with American Legacy Theatre and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, in addition to working at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Art Equals in Covington, KY. Joe is originally from Milwaukee, WI, where he grew up in community and educational theatre programs, and could not be prouder to facilitate a fun and educational environment for more young artists. |
KIRSTEN NORDLAND
Kirsten Nordland is a Cincinnati-based mezzo-soprano and teaching artist dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers. With a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Bowling Green State University, Kirsten brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her teaching. Kirsten's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student has unique potential. She focuses on fostering a love for the performing arts while honing students' technical skills and inspiring them to achieve their goals. Her lessons are tailored to her students' goals and incorporate a growth mindset, positive reinforcement, and a focus on vulnerability and self-discovery. In addition to teaching-artistry, Kirsten has performed with renowned opera companies and is actively involved in the Cincinnati arts community. Her diverse experiences allow her to provide her students with valuable insights into the world of professional music and the performing arts. |
ZOE PETERSON
Zoë is thrilled to be returning as a teaching artist for CAPA! In 2023, Zoë earned her BFA in Acting from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to a BFA, she also received a minor in English and a Screenwriting Certificate. While in Cincinnati, she has worked as an actor and playwright, having her work featured in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival and working with summer camps such as Kids Act Out at Liberty Exhibition Hall. In Louisville, Zoë is a member of Derby City Playwrights and has worked extensively on summer camps with companies like StageOne, teaching classes such as Movie Magic, Playwriting, and Classical Theatre. She’s excited for classes to start and can’t wait to grow with her students! |
KELLY WALKER
Kelly is thrilled to be joining the CAPA team. Kelly began playing piano and being involved in theatre in 4th grade and never looked back! She has her bachelor's in music education from Ohio University and master's from The University of Dayton. She was a public-school choral director for 18 years, including 8 years as co-director of the award-winning middle school show choir Rhythm Express. Her concert choirs took many awards through various competitions and were even recorded for a car commercial jingle! She founded the middle school drama program and annually produced a play/musical. She has been a part of OMEA, ACDA, EdTA and is certified in iTheatrics. Kelly is constantly learning how to best serve the youth she works with and takes pride in guiding future musicians and arts advocates. She currently enjoys freelancing with choral and theatre groups. She is grateful for her husband and two wonderful children, Tara, 11 and Cole, 16. She believes that the power of movement and music is a strong, positive impact on society. |