Director, New Horizons Orchestra
Olivia Polash is a cellist and music teacher in Northeast Ohio. She currently serves as the Middle School Orchestra Director in the Berea City School District, teaching 5-8 grade strings. Previously, she has held music teaching positions in Avon Local Schools, St. Peter School Lorain, and Lakewood City Schools. In addition to K-12 teaching, Olivia is heavily involved with community music. She has been working with the Baldwin Wallace New Horizons Orchestra in various roles since 2014, as well as the Baldwin Wallace Youth Symphony Orchestra and New Horizons Band. She earned both her Bachelor’s (2017) and Master’s (2023) degrees from Baldwin Wallace University, studying with Regina Mushabac and Cleveland Orchestra cellists Brian Dumm and Martha Baldwin. Olivia is a member of the American String Teachers Association, the Ohio Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education, and Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Fraternity.
Olivia is an active gig musician throughout Northeast and Central Ohio, playing for weddings, church services, pit orchestras, and private events. Outside of music, she loves knitting, shopping, spending time outside, and trying new restaurants. Olivia lives in North Royalton with her husband Kenny and their daughter Guinevere.
