Alumni Mentor
Music
Ms. Oliva (Birkhold) Horton
Contact: Oliviah@ctcharlotte.org
2014
BS, Music Business
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Olivia (Birkhold) Horton, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, graduated from Indiana State in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business and Certificate of Piano Pedagogy. During her time at ISU, she enjoyed being a member of the ResLife team as an Academic Peer Advocate and Resident Assistant. She was also an active member of the Music Industry Association, a teacher with the ISU Community School of the Arts, a NAMM Presidents Scholar and an MTNA scholarship recipient.
Olivia is a firm believer in the power of the arts as a catalyst for community vibrance, vitality and upward economic mobility. This belief has brought her to the world of philanthropy and some of the best artistic powerhouses in the Midwest including The Interlochen Center for the Arts, Sweetwater Sound and Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne. While living in Fort Wayne, she had the chance to act as the founder of the Fort Wayne Women’s Arts Coalition and the chairwoman for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s Music and Mixology program (an effort to engage young professionals in classical music experiences).
After moving to North Carolina in 2018, Olivia joined the Development Team with the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC), a professional Theatre for Young Audiences. Her passion for fundraising, artistic development and patron stewardship continues to grow along with each smile, laugh and joyful squeal that CTC’s storytelling brings. Watching thousands of children experience important topics (kindness, inclusion, diversity, gratitude) in digestible ways gives her hope for the future and fuel for the now. Olivia also maintains a private piano studio after normal business hours and holds fast to her music roots through teaching.
While not at work, Olivia spends most of her time exploring the great state of North Carolina with her husband Andrew, lounging at the beach, visiting the mountains for live music, trying new restaurants and working on their 1960’s bungalow. Their cats Claude, Clementine and Calvin are also enjoying the warmer weather.
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