Happy New Year and welcome to Winter 2026! Below is all you need to know for the beginning of a new semester, from audition dates to upcoming performances, Winterfest and more.
Winterfest 2026
BYU’s Winter performance series, Winterfest, is kicking off in January and features Dance groups such as the Young Ambassadors, Living Legends, Ballroom Dance Company, Theatre Ballet, Contemporary Dance Theatre, and International Folk Dance Ensemble. These performances are primarily held off campus in Utah, Arizona, and Wyoming, and run from January 15 through March 24, 2026. To buy tickets to individual events, visit tix.byu.edu or pam.byu.edu.
Farewell, Good Friend! J’Lene Willes Retires After 22 Years
J’Lene Willes, BYU Department of Dance’s long-time administrative assistant, retired at the end of Fall 2025 semester. Anyone who spent time in the Richards Building (RB) over the past 22 years would have encountered J’Lene’s smiling face as they entered the Dance Office, always ready to help. Thank you, J’Lene, for your many years of dedicated service. The Department wishes you all the best in retirement. You will be missed!
Dance in the News
- CFAC News | Alumni Career Spotlight: Ryan Hatch
- Lethbridge Herald | Jerrhan First Charger wins Iron Man Fancy Dance Challenge
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
- Folk Dance Open Auditions | Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m. in 270/278 RB
- Living Legends mid-semester tour performances | Jan. 15-16 in Taylorsville, Utah; Jan 28 in Waddell, Arizona; Jan. 29 in Thatcher, Arizona; Jan. 30 in Queen Creek, Arizona; Jan. 31 in Mesa, Arizona | Tickets available at tix.byu.edu
- Young Ambassadors mid-semester tour performances | Jan 17 at 7:00 p.m. in Afton, Wyoming and Jan. 20-21 at 7:00 p.m. in Taylorsville, Utah; Feb. 5 in Ogden, Utah | Tickets available at tix.byu.edu
- Ballet 5:8 Company Audition | Jan. 17 at 10:00 a.m. in 283 RB
- “Roots of Memory, Branches of Spirit” | Dance MFA Thesis Presentation by Ryan Podzikowski | Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m. in RB Dance Performance Theatre
- Ballroom Dance Company: Rhythm | Jan. 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets available here
- International Folk Dance Ensemble: Journey | Jan. 29-31 at 7:30 p.m. in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets available here
Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 1/5/26 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers
- [Non-Student Position] Production Assistant – Theatre and Media Arts (Acting/MDT) | Part-Time | Job ID: JR-6316
- This position will be a key contributor to the BFA programs in Acting and Music Dance Theatre (MDT). You will production manage auditions, callbacks, proficiencies, workshops, guest artists, and master classes, as well as provide administrative and curricular support to the units.
- [Student Position] Student Videographer/Photographer – Dean’s Office, College of Humanities | Part-time | Job ID: JR-6231
- The Digital Media and Communications team in the College of Humanities is seeking a videographer/photographer to help create strong video and photo content for social media, publications, websites, and advertising campaigns.
- [Off Campus Opportunity] Lagoon Auditions for Singers and Dancers
- To reserve your audition time, contact auditions@lagoonpark.com
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Nathan Balser, Associate Professor
The beginning of a new year and a new semester always feels like an invitation—a chance for fresh starts. New dance opportunities. New theory and technique classes. Upcoming performances. New faculty. New students. When I pause to think about it, every day truly offers a chance to begin again, and that fills me with excitement and gratitude.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes renewal possible not just once a year, but every day and every moment. As the Apostle Paul taught, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As we seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost and draw nearer to our Savior, we are continually invited into that becoming. Renewal doesn’t require perfection—only willingness.
I wish for you all the motivation and determination to tackle the “hard things”—mental blocks, a stubborn rib cage, depth and freedom in your plié, or even the resolve to get out of bed early on a cold winter morning. I wish you success in your composition studies and collaborations. For our seniors preparing to graduate, I hope this becomes your best semester yet, filled with meaningful and satisfying “lasts.”
And for all of us, I wish joy in dance—joy in expression, progression, and passion.
You only get one Winter 2026. May we embrace it with faith, purpose, and gratitude, trusting that in Christ, all things can become new.
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