Annual Gino DiMario Scholarship Recital features talented CCM Prep students

The annual fundraiser, which was held Sunday, Oct. 27, supports the students and work of CCM Prep

Story by CCM PR Graduate Assistant Lucy Evans

Every year, students of CCM Prep come together for the Gino DiMario Scholarship Recital, a benefit recital that supports the Gino James DiMario Memorial Scholarship Fund. This year’s recital took place Sunday, Oct. 27, in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, and featured twenty students of CCM Prep’s various programs.

The Gino James DiMario Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Gino DiMario, a second-grade Suzuki Piano student who tragically passed away in 2005 after participating in many recitals and competitions with CCM Prep. The scholarship fund allows students from around Cincinnati to participate in one of the things Gino loved most — music. 

Gino DiMario Scholarship Recital. Photo by CCM Prep Student Worker Courtney Hammonds.

Gino DiMario Scholarship Recital. Photo by CCM Prep Student Worker Courtney Hammonds.

The DiMario program recognizes motivated students of exceptional character, with the committee awarding the scholarships based on a personal statement, teacher recommendation and participation in CCM Prep and musical activities. Students in kindergarten through grade 11 are eligible to apply.

This year, eight students received scholarship through the program, with awards totaling $5,000. Since its inception, the Gino James DiMario Memorial Scholarship has provided approximately $20,000 in scholarship to CCM Prep students.

This year’s recital was a celebration of those students’ accomplishments, as well as a look to the future. The performers included this year’s recipients, 2015-16 DiMario winner Gina Fanelli and other members of CCM Prep. All performers used their talents to help local youth further their studies and share their love and dedication to music-making.

You can support the Gino James DiMario Memorial Scholarship Fund by making a donation online through the UC Foundation, making sure to note the DiMario Scholarship in the comment portion of the submission.

Learn more about the Gino James DiMario Scholarship and how to apply on the CCM Website.

2024-25 Gino James DiMario Memorial Scholarship recipients

Primary Grade Recipients ($500)

  • Sarah Guillen, Suzuki Violin student of Boyun Li
  • Francisco Vale, Suzuki Violin student of Joyce Grabell

Middle Grade Recipients ($500)

  • Sean Foley, Suzuki Viola student of Christine Woodbury
  • Thayer Platts, Suzuki Violin student of Dominic Miletti
  • Soham Gudsoorkar, Suzuki Violin student of Joyce Grabell
  • Ella Kim, piano student of Jessica Madsen

Secondary Grade Recipients ($1,000)

  • Isabella Wang, Suzuki Viola student of Joyce Grabell
  • Julian Lopez-Ortega, Cello student of Franklin Sandoval

Featured image at the top: Gino DiMario Scholarship Recital. Photo by CCM Prep Student Worker Courtney Hammonds.

Headshot of Lucy Evans

Lucy Evans

CCM Graduate Assistant, Marketing + Communications

Lucy Evans is an artist diploma student studying Opera-Vocal Performance at CCM. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, and has performed as a young artist with the Santa Fe Opera and Opera Theatre of St Louis.

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