Arts Engines spotlights incoming CCM Oboe Prof. Titus Underwood
The Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient speaks on how to bring about change in arts organizations
Incoming University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Associate Professor of Oboe Titus Underwood was recently interviewed by Aaron Dworkin on Arts Engines, a program that highlights the perspectives of the thought leaders and game-changers who are creating significant impact in the field of the arts.
Principal Oboe of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Underwood is an Emmy Award-winner and a 2021 recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence Award. His new appointment at CCM begins on Aug. 15, 2021.
In the interview, Underwood speaks on how to bring about social change in arts organizations in order to advocate and support diversity, equity and inclusion.
"I've taken as my personal responsibility to be very, very deeply rooted in what I know so that I can be an agent of change where I go, and always leading with love and leading with open hands not with defense," Titus says. "I'm always trying my best to be a role model for what I speak on."
Underwood also talks about his recently-released short film, A Tale of Two Tails. The film illustrates the dichotomy Underwood experiences as a Black man and a classical musician. It serves as a call to action for all creatives, affirming there can be innovation from disruption.
Featured image at top: Portrait of Titus Underwood.
Related Stories
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
Is going nuclear the solution to Ohio’s energy costs?
November 10, 2025
The Ohio Capital Journal recently reported that as energy prices continue to climb, economists are weighing the benefits of going nuclear to curb costs. The publication dove into a Scioto Analysis survey of 18 economists to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy. One economist featured was Iryna Topolyan, PhD, professor of economics at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
App turns smartwatch into detector of structural heart disease
November 10, 2025
An app that uses an AI model to read a single-lead ECG from a smartwatch can detect structural heart disease, researchers reported at the 2025 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Although the technology requires further validation, researchers said it could help improve the identification of patients with heart failure, valvular conditions and left ventricular hypertrophy before they become symptomatic, which could improve the prognosis for people with these conditions.