The Cincinnati May Festival has announced Julia Bullock as it’s 2026 May Festival Director. Official programming will be announced in the fall.
“The development of the rich cultural scene in Cincinnati is documented well and is simply inspiring. And after some research, I was astounded by how that has become reflected in the May Festival these past 150 years. In the programming for 2026, I sought out ways to explicitly draw attention to the traditions of the festival — which is based in gathering people together to sing, and enjoy a wide variety of music and each other. What has been so special as a curator for this upcoming season is the collaborative spirit and expertise of both the May Festival team and the Cincinnati Symphony. Never have I felt so enthusiastic and excited while devising programs in partnership with arts organizations. What a lucky city to be filled with people who are so devoted to putting on a festival of this scale year after year! I honestly just feel lucky, as a singer, to take part in your arts and cultural experience.”