“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
— Ecclesiastes 3
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Enjoy Winterfest photos, purchase tickets to Living Legends’ Seasons, Young Ambassadors’ Imagine, and Dancesport Championship; and celebrate our students on their recent accomplishments.
Each winter, BYU Dance performing groups tour across Utah and to nearby states as part of Winterfest. So far this year, Living Legends, Young Ambassadors, and Ballroom Dance Company have shared their light and talents on stages in Utah, Arizona, and Wyoming. Scroll through the photos below for a glimpse into their time on stage.
When asked to share their favorite memories from Winterfest, students commented on the joy of getting to meet audience members and bonding with their fellow dancers.
“During Winterfest we draw a name and secretly give a sweet treat, gift or nice message to that secret friend,” said Ballroom Dance Company member Carter Hooper.
“My favorite memory is greeting the audience members and getting to know the people who support our program,” added Miori Kennedy, member of the Young Ambassadors.
Catch Theatre Ballet, Contemporary Dance Theatre, and International Folk Dance Ensemble in Winterfest in March. For more details visit https://pam.byu.edu/.
Young Ambassadors Present IMAGINE
March 11-14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
The Young Ambassadors are taking audiences on a music and dance journey through Adventure, Fantasy, and Celebration in their upcoming performance of Imagine. The program includes a wide range of musical favorites from pop favorites like Queen, Elvis, and Adele, to Broadway hits from Singin’ In The Rain, Wicked, and The Notebook.
Student of the company have been involved in every aspect of the show, from the planning to the performing. What makes this year’s performance unique is that it incorporates live music played by members of the Young Ambassadors. “We hope to make audiences feel welcome in engaging with us as we perform,” said Young Ambassadors performer Miori Kennedy.
Artistic Director of the Young Ambassadors, Nathan Balser, said that the new structure of the show has resulted in a more “cohesive theatrical experience” that is “thoughtfully anchored in the transformative power of imagination and hope.”
Don’t miss this fast-paced, emotional, and hopeful showcase of American pop and musical theatre!
Dance in the News
CFAC News | TikTok Sensation: BYU Alum Gary Brotherson’s Journey Back to Dance
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Keely Song, associate professor
In a 1995 devotional by Phylllis Jacobsen (Former Department of Dance Chair), she stated: “In the south foyer of the Richards Building is a portrait of Stephen L Richards and a plaque with this quote: The human body is sacred—the veritable tabernacle of the divine spirit which inhabits it. It is a solemn duty of mankind to develop, protect, and preserve it from pollution, unnecessary wastage and weakness.”
I hope you might take a jaunt down our hallway in search of the portrait and plaque hidden in plain sight. These two artifacts serve as a remnant and memory of why Exercise Science and the Dance Department find themselves in the same building. Sacred is the body, a tabernacle of the divine and through the sciences AND the arts we are charged to develop, protect, and preserve the bodies, our bodies, from pollution, unnecessary wastage and weakness. The Lord promises each of us that if we humble ourselves before God, He will make weak things become strong (Ether 12:27). May we all trust in this promise and find joy and delight along the way.
As February rolls into March, look forward to campus performances by Contemporary Dance Theatre and Living Legends. Read a recap of President Oaks’ BYU devotional address below.
Contemporary Dance Theatre: Aperture
Feb. 25-28 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
Long before Harry Styles announced his new song, “Aperture,” BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre was hard at work creating an exciting new dance production with the same name. CDT presents Aperture, an performance that explores human connection and emotion through expressive movement, music, and visuals. The program features works by BYU faculty, CDT alumni, and renowned guest choreographers: Jesse Obremski, Keely Song, Steve Bangerter and Hardy, Adam Dyer, Nicole Von Arx, Cindy Welik-Salgado, Laja Field, Kate Monson, Bonnie Story, and Mo Crump.
Living Legends: Seasons
March 4-7 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
After four inspiring shows on tour in Arizona, Living Legends is bringing their show, Seasons, to the RB Theatre. Seasons is a production filled with vibrant costumes, infectious music, and traditional Latin American, Native American, and Polynesian dances.
Interested in dancing with Living Legends? Audition applications are now open. For more details, click here.
International Folk Dance Ensemble Performs in BYU Russian and German Department Maslenitsa Celebration by Sam Devenport, BYU Russian major and dancer on IFDE
I thought the celebration was special for me since I am a Russian major and also on IFDE, so it was cool to have those work together to celebrate world cultures. I really enjoyed dancing a traditional folk dance, a khovorod (ховород), all together as dancers and other participants united in this tradition. Performing our two Ukrainian pieces was also really fun because it was an intimate setting in which we could see and interact with our audience members. They really enjoyed it, so it was fun to share it with them.
I think it is really important to have these types of cultural activities on campus because it can be really easy to get stuck in own little bubble of life experiences and worldview. It is just wonderful to remember the variety of experiences and traditions of all of God’s children. Such events and experiences help me feel more empathetic for others, and they expand my world, one small experience at a time.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
On Feb. 10, 2026, President Dallin H. Oak gave his first public address as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the BYU Marriott Center. In his address he gave four simple actions to help us come closer to the Savior and “overcome present or future doubts.”
Watch President Oaks’ full address in the video below.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Theatre Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet
Feb. 10-14 | 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
BYU Ballet Alumni Mixer | Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m. | Register here
BYU Theatre Ballet is brining the classic Shakespearean story of love and conflict to life on the RB Dance Performance Stage this Valentine’s Day weekend. Can’t make it to campus? You can also enjoy the performance in Taylorsville, UT on March 10 and Ivans, UT on March 20.
This rendition of the beloved story is choreographed by five BYU ballet faculty — Maile Johnson, Mira Larsen, Ashley Parov, Brooke Storheim, and Hilary Wolfley — and will be performed by Theatre Ballet, with special guest performers from Theatre Ballet Studio Company and BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts.
Theatre Ballet Artistic Director Brooke Storheim and Assistant Director Maile Johnson said that, “This production has pushed our students to grow not only as technicians and performers, but as young artists capable of expressing the depth, tenderness, and tragedy at the heart of Shakespeare’s story. Their artistry, vulnerability, and dedication bring fresh life to a timeless story.”
Prior to the 7:30 p.m. performance on Feb. 13, there will be a BYU Ballet Alumni Mixer held in the RB. The event is a catered dinner where alumni can mingle, catch up, and reminisce about their time at BYU. Following dinner, attendees are encouraged to attend the Romeo & Juliet performance. Register for the Alumni Mixer here. Romeo & Juliet tickets sold separately.
BYU Alum and Faculty Shared Their Stories at Dance Career Panel
As students of dance, the world is your oyster; but in a career so nebulous and varying, with so many paths to choose from, it may be daunting to think of your future beyond the BYU classrooms. In an effort to open students eyes to the abundance of ways they can use their dance degree, the Department of Dance held a Dance Career Panel on Jan. 30, 2026, during which faculty and alumni shared their stories and offered advice. The first session featured Ryan Hatch, Jocelyn Smith, Susan Lloyd, and Alex Hatch; the second session featured Jessica Heaton, Susan Lloyd, Brooke Storheim, and Nathan Balser. Both sessions began with a presentation by CFAC Career Director Derek Jack. He introduced the “Holland Code” or RIASEC model, a career aptitude test that helps people find career satisfaction through matching their personality and work interests into six types: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional.
Following his presentation, Liz Dibble spoke on navigating rejection, referencing Alma 8:13-22. She then led the panel of guest speakers through a question and answer session. The guests came from a variety of dance backgrounds and were each at a different stage in their careers. They gave their insights on how to navigate the transition from student to professional, find a career in dance, and deal with rejection.
Clock this link to watch a video that was shared during the panel featuring BYU Dance alumni.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Hilary Wolfley, Assistant Teaching Professor
We are the curators of the art we consume. We select, organize, and present ourselves and others with art that is meaningful to us through the playlists we keep, the shows we watch, and the ways in which we engage with dance. Carefully curated art has the capacity to enhance our lives through increased inspiration, knowledge, peace, and joy. It can also have the power to move people to reflect, act, or change in some way. And how satisfying is it when someone appreciates the same kind of art that we love and share?
That intentionality, that curation, can be applied to our relationship with God. Author James K. A. Smith talks about this in his book, You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit: “Discipleship, we might say, is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive to and intentional about what you love.” As we are intentional about turning our focus toward Christ, making conscious decisions to be like Him, and helping others to do the same, our discipleship will enhance our lives in similar ways that art can: by bringing added inspiration, peace, hope, and mobilization for change. During this Valentine’s season, I invite you to consider how you might curate your choices to be more attentive to and intentional about what you love.
BYU Photo published a roundup of their best work of 2025 and our BYU dancers have truly left their mark. See the stunning photos below. Plus, don’t forget to get your tickets to Ballroom Dance Touring Company’s “Rhythm” and International Folk Dance Ensemble’s “Journey,” both of which are happening on campus in January.
Dance Featured in Best of BYU Photo
See the full “Year in Pictures” album here.
Ballroom Dance Touring Company: Rhythm
Jan. 23-24 | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
Come get a taste of what Ballroom Dance Touring Company will be sharing with the world during their upcoming off-campus tour! 31 BYU Ballroom dancers are bringing the highest level of ballroom dance to BYU stages this month with “Rhythm.” This performance showcases the style, grace, and infectious energy that BYU Ballroom is known world-wide for.
“Rhythm” will feature a wide variety of repertoire, from elegant waltzes to sizzling Latin American dances. This year the show will feature a new foxtrot solo piece performed by students Justin Goodrich and Ava Mecham. The company also had the opportunity to work with guest choreographers Oskar Wojciechowski, Karolina Holody, and Alexander Chernositov on a new Paso Doble/Tango piece.
International Folk Dance Ensemble: Journey
Jan. 29-31 | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
Mosaics, roots, and branches: these are the images that the International Folk Dance Ensemble’s new “Journey” production will conjure up in the audience’s mind. We are all an amalgamation of those who have come before us and both their and our own experiences will shape future generations. Through traditional dance numbers from around the world, BYU folk dancers will tell a story intergenerational connectedness and the passing on of traditions.
“The roots bind us to our ancestors and the branches connect us to our posterity. Time falls away and we are one. These university students are carrying on living traditions on the stage,” said International Folk Dance Ensemble artistic director Jeanette Geslison.
Alexandra Mackenzie Johns from the BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts wrote a new script and Erin Bjorn created new image designs to accompany “Journey.” The show will feature new dances, including a Hungarian piece choreographed by BYU Idaho faculty member Gary Larsen, a medley of Danish dances, a clogging piece, and a classical Bharatanatyam dance from India. Several students will showcase their skills in solos; plus, favorites from Christmas Around the World 2025 will make their return.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Marin Roper, Associate Professor
May I share two recent experiences that have taught me about faith? For my LMA students, they are also related to the Shape Qualities of Advancing and Retreating.
First, I had a partial knee replacement on December 15 and began physical therapy two weeks later. Physical therapy is hard for me, mentally, physically, spiritually. I laugh-cry through E-Stim. I wince during kneecap manipulation. But the machine that shreds me every time is the genu bender. Or as I call it, the Medieval Self-Torture Device.
Do you know what I’m talking about?
Sitting on a platform, your foot is strapped into a harness. Then, as you turn a crank, your knee bends back beneath you. You turn that crank as far as you can and hold for ten seconds to help restore your range of motion.
And for these ten seconds, I’m convinced this is the hardest thing I’ll ever do in my life.
For ten seconds, I’m holding that crank, pressing just a bit more, breathing, sweating a bit, crying a bit, then after ten seconds, reversing the crank and returning to full knee extension. Ten seconds to recover. Then I do it again. 1 second, crank…2 seconds, stretch…3 seconds, hold…4 seconds, breath…5 seconds, press a bit more…6 seconds, sweat a little…7 seconds, cry a little…8-9-10 seconds, cry a little more. Then release back to full extension. Ten seconds to recover. Then repeat.
I swear, in the 10 minutes I spend on the genu bender, my body’s entire history of trauma, heartbreak, loss, disappointment, sadness and sorrow come gurgling up and out of me like a Yellowstone mudpot. I’m a mess.
It’s so hard.
But I close my eyes, drop my chin, and press forward into the discomfort, into the headwinds. I Advance.
The second thing I did this Christmas break was begin couples’ counseling with my husband. We do this every so often to strengthen our communication and tackle challenges together. A new counselor, a new approach, a new white board with new diagrams to draw. We’ve had a few sessions now, and what I’ve noticed in these sessions is the counselor’s focus on Fear. Fear of this, Fear of that. We’ve talked all about our Fears, stirred every Fear up inside us again. And while I know it’s helpful and good to understand fear, I also feel like focusing on fear has set us up for Retreat. I feel it in these sessions and in the hours that follow. I feel it in my chest, in my breath, in the way I hold my weight. I Retreat.
I’ve been thinking about the hard things we all face in our lives. And so much around me feels hard right now. And I’ve been wondering, how do we set ourselves up to face these hard things?
Martin Luther King Jr. said:
“If you can’t fly, then run;
if you can’t run, then walk;
if you can’t walk, then crawl,
but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
Moving forward, as described here, is an act of faith. Like the experience on the genu bender, Advancing is not always easy. We don’t float forward, we don’t ease forward, we don’t glide forward. As the hymn beckons, we Press Forward. Feel into that. How does it feel to press? ‘Pressing’ requires effort, exerted with intention, over time. It is singular in its focus. It goes right to the edge, right to the limit of comfort, ability, or range, and continues to exert. Press Forward.
I’m thankful to have felt this kind of deep intention during my physical therapy these past few weeks. And to be reminded that I can do hard things. I know all of us are capable of doing these kinds of hard things – of persevering and pressing forward through the difficult times.
Here at the beginning of the semester, I want you to know that you’ve got this. You have what it takes to Advance forward in faith.
So let’s go!
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
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 1/5/26 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers
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.
Another semester has come and gone. The Department of Dance is cheering its students on as they complete their finals, and wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. Rest up, students, and we will see you back on campus on January 7, 2026!
The Young Ambassadors: Silent Night x Angels We Have Heard on High
International Folk Dance Christmas Around the World Recap | BYU’s The Daily Universe
Dance in the News
Mayor’s Arts Awards 2025 | BYU Dance Alum Camille Spencer Wins Creator Award
CFAC News | BYU TBSC Debuts Original Alice Ballet
@brighamyounguniversity on Instagram | Featuring International Folk Dance Ensemble’s Cami Losik
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 12/9/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Brent Keck, Associate Professor
In recent months, there have been moments at some BYU football games when groups of opposing fans have chanted unkind things about our faith. While those words can sting, they also highlight something remarkable: the powerful contrast between negativity and the goodness our BYU community consistently brings into the world.
That goodness shows up everywhere — in service projects, food drives, coat donations, tutoring, ministering, and the simple, sincere kindness shown by students, fans, and alumni wherever they go. These quiet acts reflect who we truly are and what we value most. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we’re invited to rise above negativity with grace, humility, and love. The greatest gift we’ve ever been given is the Savior Himself, and we honor Him best by giving to others — not only through big initiatives, but through everyday compassion. When we choose kindness over hurt, hope over frustration, and service over resentment, we shine a light that no chant or insult can overshadow.
Together, as a BYU community, we can continue to lift, bless, and inspire — showing the world the quiet, steady strength that comes from following Christ.
The holidays are right around the corner but BYU dancers are keeping busy with Christmas Around the World, the Senior Capstone Concert, Winter 2026 auditions, and scholarship applications.
BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble Presents Christmas Around the World
December 5-6 in the Marriott Center | Purchase tickets here
Christmas Around the World is a favorite holiday tradition here on BYU campus. This year the International Folk Dance Ensembles explore the question, “What are some places we gather during Christmas time?” The dancers will use props to create a church, a town square, a home, and a stable as they share traditional dances from countries across the globe.
160 folk dancers will be joined on stage by BYU Mountain Strings and two Irish dance schools from the community. Shelley School of Irish Dance was founded in 1999 by BYU Folk Dance alum Tina Shelley, making it the oldest certified Irish Dance school in Utah. Harp Irish Dance company is directed by BYU Folk Dance alum Aubree Walker Shelley and trains students in both modern and traditional Irish styles. Dancers from these two schools will join IFDE in a double reel, one of the best ways to showcase Irish dance.
This semester, IFDE dancers learned from Turkish choreographer Ahmet Lüleci, who came to set two pieces that will be featured in Christmas Around the World. This was Lüleci’s fourth visit to BYU, and his passion and intimate understanding of Turkish dance continue to impact the students.
“The dances we learn from guest choreographers like Lüleci don’t stay in the classroom,” said Levi Hancock. “They become part of the performances we share with audiences across the country and even internationally. Every year, thousands of people experience joy through these shows, and it’s inspiring to realize that something we learned in just a few days with Lüleci can ripple outward to touch so many lives. In that way, our learning directly translates into service as we share culture, joy, and connection through performance.”
Another unique aspect of Christmas Around the World is that it will feature the BYU Scottish Highland Dance Club and the Wasatch & District Pipe Band. This year IFDE has 8 Scottish dancers on the ensemble, each highly trained in the athletic footwork that makes traditional Scottish dance so exciting to watch.
Preshow activities will take place in the concourse one hour prior to the show.
Check out @byu_folkdance on Instagram for a chance to win two tickets to Christmas Around the World and a BYU Folk Dance Jacket.
2025 CFAC Creative Works Contest Winner: Colette Radstone
Congratulations to Colette Radstone, a senior majoring in American Studies with a minor in ballet, who won first place for the Visual Media category of the 2025 CFAC Creative Works Contest. Colette created a video documenting her experience cataloging dancers from the Joffrey Ballet for the “Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S.” exhibition at Lincoln Center in New York City. Her goal was to find the names of every dancer who has been a part of the Joffrey Ballet. The names, all 710 that she found, were projected in a revolving list on the wall of the exhibition. Colette scoured books, documents, and programs to find the names and used the coding language R to organize her findings.
“The biggest lesson I learned was about having the courage to ask,” she said about her experience. “I knew I was being nudged by the Spirit, and once I acted, everything unfolded in ways far better than I could have planned. God showed me that His plan does not end at BYU. Rather, BYU is a platform that launches me into the next step of learning and service.”
To read Colette’s winning entry, click here. To learn more about the contest and how to enter next year, click here.
Dance in the News:
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 11/26/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers
Uplifting Thought of the Week | BYU Dancers Give Thanks
This month brings several student and faculty performances including those of dancEnsemble and Theatre Ballet Studio Company; as well as alumni events and auditions for Winter 2026.
Theatre Ballet Studio Company Presents Alice
November 20-22 in the RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
How can we understand ourselves and our place within the world? How do we become agents that act, rather than agents that are acted upon? How are we changed by going through moments of confusion and how do those moments help us better understand ourselves? These questions and other themes of becoming will be explored in the Theatre Ballet Studio Company’s all new production of Alice. Artistic director Hilary Wolfley, in collaboration with Isabelle Walker and Aubrie Owen, bring Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass to life on-stage. Alice pushes the audience’s perception of what a classical ballet production is: it features music from various artists curated by the three choreographers, aerial work facilitated by faculty member Adam Dyer, and animated backdrop projections by student designer Erica Flynn and Production Designer Erin Bjorn. Collaboration permeates every aspect of this ballet, including the makeup designs which are by student makeup artist Shaina Romney.
“We aim to make a show that will delight audiences of all ages—one that includes whimsy, depth, spectacle, and artistry,” said Wolfley. “We are focusing on being choreographically innovative within the classical ballet vocabulary in this reimagination of Alice’s adventures.”
Theatre Ballet will also guest perform two pieces: Simply Mozart by Melinda Howe and Venus de Milo, “A Way to See Where Other Things Are” by Eva Stone.
Halloween 2025 Recap | Costumes Around the RB
Ballet Alumni Observation Day 2025
On Nov. 22 the BYU Ballet Area will host its annual Ballet Observation Day for alumni in conjunction with Theatre Ballet Studio Company’s (TBSC) performance of Alice. Alumni can participate in a ballet class from 4:45-5:45 p.m. in 283 RB. Then, at 6:00-7:00 p.m., they can observe the Theatre Ballet and TBSC warm-up class. Alumni are invited to purchase tickets and attend the performance of Alice at either 2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. in the RB Dance Performance Theatre.
Please note that performance viewing is in-person only and a ticket is required. All other activities are free of charge and will have a Zoom option.
To register for BYU Ballet Observation Day, click here. To purchase tickets for Alice, click here.
For more information on department alumni events, visit https://dance.byu.edu/alumni
Dance in the News:
Daily Universe | BYU Celebrates Homecoming Week with Sesquicentennial BYU Spectacular
@BYUDance on Instagram | World of Dance Recap
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Liz Dibble, Assistant Professor
As the leaves begin to change and the temperature begins to drop, I can’t help but anticipate the holidays to come. With the magic, lights, and excitement of Christmas and the quiet, family time and reflection of Thanksgiving, both holidays are an opportunity to turn our hearts to the Savior.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I have been meditating on the power of gratitude in my life. Doctrine and Covenants 59:7 reads, “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” As I’ve pondered this verse, it has been fascinating to me how Christ uses, “Thou shalt,” at the beginning. It is a phrase reserved for the most important of directives. It is commandment language. We are commanded to acknowledge the Lord and His hand in our lives.
It also stood out to me that we are commanded to be grateful in ALL things. There are so many things: my children, my husband, this beautiful world, that are easy to be grateful for. They bring instantaneous joy into my life. It feels much harder to be grateful for my trials, my weakness, and those moments that bruise my body or my ego.
In Doctrine and Covenants 122:7, the Lord promised Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail that, “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” I hold onto that promise often.
As struggles appear, as finals approach, as conflict reigns, and burdens feel too hard to bear, may we turn to the Savior who is the source of all healing and rest. May we live in thanksgiving daily for all of the assistance we have been given. Being grateful for the hard things is not easy, it takes concerted effort and determined practice. When I work hard to give thanks for all of the different facets of my life, I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life in abundance.
There are two realities that exist simultaneously in our lives, one of scarcity and one of abundance. Focusing on gratitude and centering that gratitude in our Savior opens our eyes to a world of abundance. I testify this is true.
Wishing everyone a beautiful holiday season filled with thanks and hope and most importantly, the love of our Savior.
Can you believe fall semester is halfway over? If you missed some of the performances and events that have happened so far this fall, read about them below; and mark your calendars for the exciting things happening throughout the rest of the semester.
Halloween in the RB
Few can rock a costume better than a dancer and Halloween is no exception. Submit a photo of you dancing in your campus Halloween costume to alex_hatch@byu.edu to be featured in the next newsletter!
“Dance and Discipleship” with Rylee Ann Rogers
Rylee Ann Rogers, Soloist with Ballet West, taught a BYU Dance masterclass followed by a Q&A lecture on Sept. 18, 2025. Titled, “Dance & Discipleship,” Rogers focused her discussion on fostering positivity in what can be a very competitive and high-pressure career.
“Rogers touched on the importance of creating the company atmosphere that you want to dance in,” said BYU Theatre Ballet dancer Maia McBride. “She advised us to recognize our own strengths and weaknesses, while also recognizing others’ strengths. Someone else getting a role doesn’t have anything to do with your worth—it just means it is their time. The collective experience when everyone is of this mindset unifies us as a company and allows for greater achievement.”
McBride felt uplifted by the way Rogers taught the masterclass, saying that she brought passion and elegance to the studio. “She taught that ‘pressure is a privilege.’ This captured the way that I want to feel in every class: pushing past what I think I can achieve into something better,” McBride said. “She motivated me to train with complete presence and purpose. By stepping into the studio every day with this mindset, we automatically bring more joy and inspiration to others.”
Did you get the chance to attend Rogers’ lecture? Share what inspired you in the comment box below.
BYU Dancers and Musicians Create “Fragments of Movement and Sound” Together
Dance and music are integrally intertwined and the collaborative performance between the Department of Dance and the School of Music, “Fragments of Movement and Sound,” emphasized that relationship further. The performance was born when piano professor Jihea Hong-Park saw a video of Ravel’s “Boléro” performing with a ballet company in her social media feed. In an effort to help her students feel less intimidated by contemporary works, she reached out to 11 dance faculty to choreograph to György Ligeti’s “Musica Ricercata,” which was then performed by 11 pianists and 18 dancers from across different dance areas.
“Being a part of this production and dancing alongside so many talented artists was such as honor,” said Annie Openshaw, a dancer with BYU Theatre Ballet. “I had the best time working with my extraordinary choreographer, Hilary Wolfley, and my beautiful pianist, Norah Day. I am so grateful for both of them!”
Read more about this unique collaboration here.
BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series Presents BODYTRAFFIC | Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
The award-winning Los Angeles-based dance company BODYTRAFFIC is coming to BYU for one night only! Founded in 2007 by artistic director Tina Finkelman Berkett, BODYTRAFFIC has earned international acclaim as one of the most forward-thinking companies in the contemporary dance world. Known for its stunning performers and technical mastery, the company’s repertoire effortlessly blends ballet, modern, Afro-Cuban and hip-hop styles, reflecting the vibrancy of its Los Angeles roots. Every piece the company performs is a testament to its mission: bringing world-class contemporary dance to new audiences through movement that is as intellectually engaging as it is visually captivating.
Read the full CFAC news release here.
DancEnsemble in Concert: Currents | Nov. 13-15 | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
The mission of BYU DancEnsemble is mentoring and producing student contemporary choreography. This season, DancEnsemble turns its focus outward and asks, “How does the natural world inform and inspire contemporary choreography?” Eight emerging student choreographers worked alongside faculty from BYU Global Environmental Studies as they explored the Wasatch Front and studied Latter-day teachings on stewardship.
Original student works, along with new works by visiting assistant professor Jocelyn Smith and artistic director Marin Roper, will be performed by a company of 25+ dancers. Freshman and sophomore dance majors will also perform a new work by associate professor Keely Song.
Jocelyn Smith’s new piece explores natural forms and how they demonstrate divinity and truth in the eternities. The choreography is inspired by the events of Hurricane Katrina. Smith asked herself, and welcomed the students to ask themselves, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” Smith has come to one conclusion that He does it to grow compassion. “I’m not trying to negate the horrendous predicament people were put in,” she said. “But I’m learning that we can do a little better and plan more ahead for these things. Compassion can come before the event, not just after, when we take care of people.” Smith said that diving into this project has been a eye-opening and inspiring, albeit heavy, experience for her and the dancers.
One of the other professors the dancers are working with is George Handley, who runs the Global Environmental Studies minor and is an expert on the Provo River and its relationship to Utah Lake. There will a symposium held by the Global Environmental Studies minor the same weekend as the DancEnsemble performance.
Join the student choreographers for a Q&A on Thursday night.
Dance in the News: World of Dance and Homecoming Week Recap
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Cheryll Treu, CFAC Honored Alumni
Cheryll Treu came home for Homecoming week, giving the CFAC honored alumni lecture in the Richards Building Dance Performance Theatre. Treu graduated BYU in 1985 with a degree in dance and having toured internationally with BYU Ballroom Dance Company. Since 2006 she has served as the Ballroom Dance Coordinator for Alpine School District and is the co-founder of Danzinskule Education Foundation, a nonprofit supporting school ballroom programs. Her lecture, “Rhythm of Service: Steps of a Lifetime,” focused on the power dance has to change lives for the better. She shared inspiring stories from her years teaching where she has witnessed students and their communities experience the positive effects of dance.
Treu said, “I believe more strongly than ever that the arts, especially ballroom dance, have the power to shape paths of not just individuals, but families, communities, and futures.”
Treu shared that ballroom dance teaches “life skills, ones that follow dancers long after the music stops and extends far beyond the dance floor.” She believes that dance is physical, emotional, and even spiritual, and can reveal the divine potential of both teacher and student. “Ballroom dance, when taught in the right spirit, can mirror discipleship itself,” she said. “Dance is more than a skill. It’s a framework for life.”
Read more about the lecture here and watch a recap video on Instagram @byucfac.
Get to know our two visiting professors with a series of rapid-fire questions and don’t miss the upcoming Honored Alumni Lecture with Cheryll Treu.
Jaclyn Brown
Brown grew up in Roosevelt, Utah but got much of her early dance training in Heber, Utah. She holds an MFA in Contemporary Performance Choreography from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where her thesis “Dancing Through Matriarchy: Mothering Bodies and Their Threat to American Modern Dance” explored intersections of motherhood, embodiment, and performance. Brown danced with Repertory Dance Theatre from 2014–2021, touring nationally and performing works by Doris Humphrey, José Limón, Molissa Fenley, Zvi Gotheiner, and Bebe Miller, among others. She continues to work as a freelance artist with companies including Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, FEM Dance Company, and Creator’s Dance Project. She currently teaches in the BYU Contemporary Area. To read her full bio, click here.
Jocelyn Smith
Originally from Spanish Fork, UT, Smith holds degrees in Dance Performance and Dance Education from Utah Valley University and earned her MFA in Dance from Montclair State University. She has danced in parades at Walt Disney World and performed a duet at the ACDA National Conference at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Smith choreographed for Luz de las Naciones, the annual celebration of Latin American culture presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before coming to BYU, she directed and taught in the Provo High School dance program. She now teaches in the BYU Contemporary Area and serves at the Artistic Director of Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company. To read her full bio, click here.
Utah Dance Education Organization Teacher Conference
Marilyn Berrett—former Department of Dance chair, retired BYU faculty, and founder of BYU Kinnect—will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 8 at the UDEO Teacher Conference. Berrett was a seminal figure in shaping the Department of Dance into the program it is today and has touched the lives of many through dance education. Register for the conference here.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events
Dance in the News
Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 10/15/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Amy Jex, Associate Chair
I was inspired while listening to a forum given by Rabbi Ari Berman of Yeshiva University given at BYU called, “Covenant vs. Consumer Education.” In this portion of his speech, Berman tells part of the story told in the movie, “Chariots of Fire”:
“Eric Liddell was a Scottish runner who won several gold medals in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Liddell came from a family of missionaries, and there is one scene in the movie in which his sister confronts him and asks him why, as a believer, he spends so much of his life in running competitions rather than joining alongside his family to spread the word of God. Eric responds to his sister by explaining, ‘I believe that God made me for a purpose. . .But He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.’”
Berman continues, “We all have a different way of feeling God’s pleasure. We were each created for a purpose. And we each experience God’s presence in our own unique ways. Our educational goal is to help students discover and develop the capacity to experience God’s pleasure by finding the godliness within themselves, to help them identify and develop what makes them distinct, and to help them on their journey of becoming the person they were always meant to become. In a covenantal society…education is not just a window into the world; it is a light into the soul. What you study helps develop your whole personality. Whether you, too, are a runner or an artist, an educator or a healer, a values-driven education creates opportunities for you to develop the different aspects of the self—to discover purpose and to experience divine pleasure in self-expression.”
I would guess that most of you feel that you find God’s pleasure and light in your soul through the expression of your body (or you wouldn’t be dance majors!). Dance is a wonderful gift that not only allows us to express our emotions but also gives us the opportunity to connect with our Heavenly Father. I truly believe that He gives us this unique way to experience mortality in our physical bodies to help us discover who we really are—sons and daughters of God. I hope as you dance, you will feel joy and that the spirit whisper to you that you are His child, loved and supported, with great eternal potential.
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