The University of Cincinnati has just witnessed a star-studded event as one of their own, Ava Camaj, a junior at the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), has been selected for a unique mentorship opportunity with none other than Grammy-nominated musical maestro Charlie Puth. The young talent emerged victorious in the BIC INKubator Music Contest, landing her the chance to be guided by Puth himself, according to the University of Cincinnati. Camaj gained the edge with her song "Make Me Whole," impressing judges with her multifaceted musical abilities.
While the BIC INKubator Music Contest has certainly put Camaj on the map, what is particularly of note is that she utilized BIC's four-color ballpoint pen as an inspirational tool for her songwriting process, innovatively reflecting the various facets of her personality. All that effort paid off when she submitted a 90-second clip featuring her vocals and piano skills. Chosen by Puth and BIC from a pool of national entrants, Camaj was one of four finalists invited to perform in a "pitch-off" in New York City. Each finalist pocketed a cool $10,000 prize to fuel their nascent music endeavors, but it was Camaj who clinched the top mentorship prize.
Camaj's reaction to her win and subsequent meeting with Charlie Puth verged on incredulous joy. "I have literally been listening to his music on the radio since I was nine years old, so to meet him in person was kind of insane," she told the University of Cincinnati. The connection with Puth goes beyond mere awe, as Camaj was emboldened by the star to release "Make Me Whole" into the world—a bold first for her musical career—on August 15.
Behind a great artist is often a team of exceptional mentors, and Camaj's is no exception. She extended her gratitude to her CCM professors, who she credited for their pivotal role in her development as an artist. Profs such as Jasmine Guo, Kim Pensyl, John Taylor, Dan Karlsberg, and Tobe Donohue have left an indelible mark on her through lessons in jazz theory, piano, and music production, directly influencing her winning composition and nascent career trajectory. It turns out that a university setting isn't just about hitting the books—it's also about hitting the right notes.
