Get to know your Dance Major Student Representatives (DMSR), learn about a special collaborative performance between the Department of Dance and the School of Music, and check out the latest job postings and department events.
Who are the 2025-26 Dance Major Student Representatives?
Kara Williams | President
For Kara Williams, a senior majoring in dance, being a part of the Department of Dance and dancing on BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre has been “such a blessing.” She said, “I’m incredibly grateful for the skills it has taught me, the person it has helped me become, and the meaningful relationships I have formed along the way. I love being surrounded by curious, creative minds.” Kara grew up in a military family, traveling a lot, but calls Las Vegas, Nevada, her home. Outside of dance, she enjoys crocheting, crafting, thrifting, paddle boarding, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.
Makinley Butterfield | Vice President
Makinley Butterfield came to BYU from Elk Ridge, Utah to study marketing with a minor in contemporary dance. “One of my favorite things about the Department of Dance are the incredible projects I’m able to be a part of,” she said. “Some of my favorites include being a member of BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre, performing and touring in New York City, collaborating on an outdoor research project with Professor Keely Glenn titled, ‘Within the Canyon,’ and contributing to several senior capstone projects, where I gained valuable insights and hands-on experience.” When she is not in the studio, Makinley can be found exploring the outdoors with her friends.
Maisy Gustaveson | BFA Representative
Maisy Gustaveson is a Junior pursuing a BFA in Dance. Along with being the BFA Representative, she also serves as the President of dancEnsemble. “I love how many opportunities are presented to us by the Department of Dance,” Maisy said. “They truly try to give everyone a chance to be included and grow in their dance skills.” A bonus fun fact about Maisy is that she loves Dr. Pepper.
Rebecca Schenk | BA Representative
Originally from Meridian, Idaho, Rebecca Schenk is a senior working towards completing her BA in Dance as well as the pre-physical therapy coursework. She has danced with and choreographed for danceEnsemble for four semesters. She said, “My favorite things about being a part of the Department of Dance are getting to develop new choreographic and artistic movement skills, and working closely with such talented peers and professors daily.”
Liesel Wynn | BA Representative
Liesel Wynn is originally from American Fork, Utah and is pursuing a BA in Dance. She is minoring in Japanese Language and Culture and currently performs with Contemporary Dance Theatre. If you ever want to hear a random fact about an animal or the outdoors, she’s your girl! About the Department of Dance, she said, “I love that we get to build such close relationships with our fellow dancers and professors. It is amazing how uplifting the environment can be when we remember to love and support one another, and when we take the time to connect ourselves and our craft to our divine purpose.”
Camila Challis | Dance Education Representative
Camila Challis is a Senior majoring in Dance Education (K-12) with a minor in International Development. Originally from South Jordan, Utah, Camila enjoys boxing, singing, and being outdoors. She said, “My favorite part of the Department of Dance is the community and the opportunities to learn and collaborate with other students and professors.”
Fragments of Movement and Sound: Collaborative Performance by Students and Faculty from the BYU Department of Dance and School of Music
Thursday, Oct. 2 | 7:30 P.M. | Recital Hall, BYU Music Building | Free Admission
A performance highlighting dancers and choreographers from across all areas of the Department of Dance typically comes but once a year (check out the 2025 World of Dance recap reel here). For such a performance to also feature students and faculty from the School of Music is a rarity that patrons will have the opportunity to witness on October 2.
BYU dancers and musicians team up for Fragments of Movement and Sound, a free event showcasing Ligeti’s Musica ricercata and a world-premiere composition by Dr. Sophia Serghi, professor of composition at the College of William & Mary. Dance faculty Shayla Bott, Keely Song, Hilary Wolfley, Marin Roper, Liz Dibble, Jocelyn Smith, Jeanette Geslison, Kate Monson, Jaclyn Brown and Curt Holman have choreographed pieces that will be accompanied by School of Music faculty Jihea Hong-Park and her piano students.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the talents of students and faculty from two of BYU’S renowned departments, representing the College of Fine Arts and Communications through dance and music.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
- Department of Dance Student Experiential Learning Funding | Application Deadline Oct. 3 by 11:59 p.m. | Apply here
- Overnight Field Study at Lytle Nature Reserve | Students interested in applying to choreograph for DancEnsemble Winter 2026 are invited to attend | October 10-11 | $15 | Complete this interest form by Oct. 3
- Fragments of Movement and Sound | Performance featuring the Hong-Park Piano Studio and faculty and students from the Department of Dance | Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall (MB) | Free admission
- BYU Major Fair | Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the WSC Ballroom & Garden Court | Free event for BYU students only | More information here
- Dance Education K-12 Meet & Greet Social | Oct. 10 at 7:00-8:30 p.m. in WSC 5519 | RSVP here by Oct. 8
- BA Capstone Proposals Due [Winter 2026] | Oct. 15 | Submit here | Email keely_glenn@byu.edu with any questions
- BYU Spectacular: A Sesquicentennial Celebration | Oct. 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Marriott Center | Featuring Ballroom Dance Company and Young Ambassadors | Buy tickets here
- Honored Alumni Lecture: Cheryll Treu | “Rhythm of Service: Steps of a Lifetime” | Oct. 16 at 11:00 a.m. in the RB Dance Theatre
- BFA Ballet and Contemporary Audition and Assessment | Oct. 17 in 283 RB | Ballet is at 8:00-9:20 a.m. and contemporary is at 1:30-2:50 p.m. | Both classes are required. | Register here
Dance in the News
CFAC News | Turkish Choreographer Ahmet Lüleci Works with BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble
CFAC News | Dance Alum Alexandra Shadle on Her BYU Experience and Founding the International Dance Arts Collective
Daily Universe | BYU Ballroom Team Sets the Bar in Collegiate Dance
Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings As Of 10/1/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers
Part-Time Non-Student Positions:
- Senior Writer/Editor | College of Fine Arts and Communications External Relations | Part-Time | JR-5999
- The Senior Writer/Editor will work on releases and features for BYU OnStage and the six academic units within the college (Art, Communications, Dance, Design, Music, Theatre & Media Arts). These articles are posted on the college and BYU OnStage websites. This position is ideal for journalism, PR, English or editing majors.
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Ashley Parov, Assistant Professor
Each Sunday I serve in the nursery, and my favorite lesson to teach is the very first one in the manual: I Am a Child of God. After we sing and talk through the lesson, I give each child a small picture to color with those words written at the bottom. When they finish coloring, I punch a hole at the top of the page, thread a bit of yarn through it, and gently place it around their necks. In that quiet moment, I look each child in the eyes and say, “You are a child of God. You are loved by Heavenly Father. You are important.” Almost instantly, they are off and running again — full of toddler energy — but the truth remains, steady and eternal.
In his 2019 BYU address “The Love and Laws of God,” President Nelson outlined five eternal truths. The very first truth he chose to share — before all the others — was this: we are sons and daughters of God. Of all the doctrines he could have emphasized first, he began with our divine identity. That priority matters because everything else we believe and do flows from knowing who we are. Our choices, our relationships, and even our capacity to feel God’s love are grounded in this truth.
Dancers, I wish I could take one of those simple necklaces, place it around your neck, look in your eyes, and tell you the same truth: You are a child of God. You are so loved. You are important. I hope you will carry that truth with you throughout this semester and live in harmony with it. Knowing I am a child of God has blessed my life immeasurably, and my deepest hope is that you will know and feel it for yourself.
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