Using Cell Reference in CountIFS formulas

Here is my current formula:

=COUNTIFS(H1:H100,"solo",D1:D100,"yes",E1:E100,"no")

The Cell C12 contains the text "solo". I would like to be able to use a cell reference of C12 in the formula instead of the word "solo", so that I can easily change the information I'm gathering by simply changing one word in C12 instead of the formulas in each line.  I hope this made sense.  PLEASE HELP!