Miss Ohio Caroline Grace Williams to compete for Miss America Dec. 19

Miami University Symphony Orchestra created her talent soundtrack

Caroline Grace Williams

When Miss Ohio Caroline Grace Williams (Miami ’17) competes in the Miss America competition on Dec. 19, Miami University will be represented in more ways than one.

When Williams performs for the talent portion, she will be accompanied by a recording of the Miami University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Ricardo Averbach.

Williams, an admission counselor at Miami, will perform the aria "O mio babbino caro," from the opera Gianni Schicchi by Giaccomo Puccini.

Last month she performed the aria at “The Two Faces of Freedom” concert presented by the orchestra. The concert was dedicated to two different visions of the idea of freedom, from two different times and peoples.

Williams, who graduated from Miami with a theatre and voice double major and a music theatre minor, credits her education in the arts for providing her with the creative edge she needed to win Miss Ohio. “Having a theater background, I can adapt quickly and even be comfortable in high-pressure situations like being on stage,” Williams said.

Watch Williams compete for Miss America 2020 at 8 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 19, on NBC.