“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
— Ecclesiastes 3
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This week we’re looking at all things contemporary dance, from the upcoming “Embodied” performance to the new documentary produced by BYU faculty and students celebrating 50 years of Contemporary Dance Theatre.
Contemporary Dance Theatre at 50: A Retrospective Documentary Created by BYU Dance Faculty and Students
How does contemporary dance reflect a Latter-day Saint people? This question inspired Department of Dance professor Marin Roper, alongside BYU students in the Dance History and Dance and Film courses, to create a 75-minute documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT). The film premiered on Sept. 12, 2026.
Roper interviewed current and former artistic directors of the CDT company with the goal to discover and preserve Latter-day Saint dance stories. “The film is a collection of stories that help trace the significant milestones and memorable moments through the years: founding documents, artistic and educational philosophy, tours, outreach, favorite repertoire and more,” Roper said. “I have also been inspired to learn about the way that teaching was originally incorporated into the mission and organization of the company.”
Kathie Parsons founded the group, originally known as The Dancers’ Company, in 1975 when she was a graduate student. Dee Winterton was the first faculty mentor of the group. Both had a distinct focus on faith and missionary work. These themes are prevalent throughout the documentary. Roper observed that although some things about CDT have changed from director to director, the mission to “represent all that is good and praiseworthy” remains the same.
“I hope our current students, dance alumni and broader campus community will…see how the arts can connect, inspire and uplift,” Roper said. “I specifically hope our current students will feel connected to the strong history of contemporary dance at BYU and feel connected to a larger community of Latter-day Saint artists. I hope that as our students understand the history of Latter-day Saint dance, they will feel a sense of belonging, purpose and perhaps a collective mission to use their spiritual gifts to help build the kingdom of God here on earth.”
Continue reading about the “CDT at 50” documentary in this article by Ellie Lallatin, CFAC External Relations.
Embodied
Oct. 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
BYU contemporary area presents Embodied, a concert that considers ways Contemporary dance at BYU engages with the LDS theology of embodiment—not only through subject matter, but through the processes, intentions, and beliefs that shape how and why we create and perform. The program also reflects ongoing conversations about the body happening with collaborators from other disciplines across campus. The evening will invite audience to consider the body not solely as an instrument for dance, but also as a medium through which we can learn, know, connect, express, testify, and become.
The concert will feature works from nine contemporary dance faculty including Liz Dibble’s “Seven Seeds,” Keely Song’s “Salt Requiem,” and Kate Monson’s “and I came, and we worshipped.” Each piece is a different interpretation of how to express spirituality through dance, specifically within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of the pieces were created in collaboration with other departments across BYU campus including the College of Humanities, Religious Education, Global Environmental Studies, Museum of Art, and School of Medicine.
“Seven Seeds” honors women on choreographer Liz Dibble’s maternal family line. Song’s piece, “Salt Requiem,” advocates for ecological stewardship. And Monson’s “and I came, and we worshipped” explores how movement, memory, and knowledge is stored and manifested in the body, and how our bodies support the personal and communal gospel path. Other highlights will be numbers performed by Contemporary Dance Theatre and the Young Ambassadors, and a solo choreographed by Jesse Obremski of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre performed by student Kailene Talbot.
You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind showcase of theology based contemporary choreography!
Library News for Dance
Check out the latest news from BYU dance librarian Myrna Layton. In her newsletter linked below, she spotlights a dance database and a choreographer, and shares the latest in dance books and videos available to library patrons.
Mark Your Calendars: Dates to Know
Dance in the News
CFAC News | Blackpool to Bengaluru: Ava Mecham Finds Connection Through Dance
Daily Universe | BYU Homecoming opening ceremonies invites all to ‘Seek and Share’
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Kate Monson, Associate Professor
As I prepare for the Embodied concert on Oct. 23 and 24, I have been thinking more about the role dance has played on my understanding of who I am as a spiritual being and a disciple of Christ.
I love Doctrine & Covenants 138: 17 which talks about the restoration of the body and spirit upon resurrection.
One of the things I love about this verse is the specificity of the words when it says, “Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and sinews and the flesh upon them…”
When I read this verse, I feel how grateful I am for my particular body, and that dance has taught me so much about my particular body, the configuration of bone and sinew and flesh that makes me me. I have been so lucky to have the opportunity, for literally decades, to delve deeply into this body, to understand it on a level that relatively few human beings ever do. And that physical experience is very important to me, however dance has also taught me so much about how my, just as specific spirit, collaborates with my body to inform my soul. It reminds me kneel down and pray, to taste the sacrament, to hug my neighbor and so much more.
When the spirit and the body are equally present in my life and get a glimpse of the fullness of joy that is promised to us.
A new semester means a new set of Dance Major Student Representatives. These six bright students act as a resource for other students and are leaders within their respective majors, bridging the gap between students and faculty. Meet the 2026-27 council below.
DMSR 2026-27
Kara Williams | President
Kara is from Las Vegas, Nevada and is getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. “My favorite aspect of the Department of Dance is getting to work with inspired, curious, and compassionate individuals,” she said. “The Department of Dance is unique in that I have felt a sense of community and belonging here that I have not experienced elsewhere.”
Maisy Gustaveson | Vice President
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Maisy is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in contemporary dance. “The dance program is where I have met my best friends and made the deepest connections,” she said. “I love that the Department of Dance encourages us to relational beings.”
Elise Anderson | BFA Rep
Elise hails from Washington state and is in her senior year of the dance BFA program. One of her favorite aspects of the Department of Dance is “the community and subsequent dance opportunities that come being around creative minds all the time.”
Vallie Bulow | BA Rep
Vallie grew up in Avon, Connecticut and is getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts in contemporary dance. Her favorite aspect of the Department of Dance is that there is something in it for everyone. “There are so many different genres of dance, as well as dance communities, so everyone is able to do what they love and feel welcome,” she said. “I also love that dancers are not limited to just one genre of dance; everyone is able to do anything the Department of Dance offers.”
Ellie John | BA Rep
Ellie is a Payson, Utah local and is pursuing her Bachelor’s of Arts in dance. For her, community is the most important part of the Department of Dance. “Everyone is so supportive and loving, and there is such a strong sense of dedication that comes from our shared passion and love for dance,” she said. “I also love that we get to invite the Spirit into our dancing. I feel a light surrounding me and everyone in the department, creating such an incredible environment to grow, connect, and express ourselves through dance.”
Camila Challis Monlux | Dance Education Rep
Camilla is from South Jordan, Utah and is studying Dance Education (K-12) on the Pre-Med track. “My favorite aspect of the Department of Dance here at BYU is the emphasis on spirituality and how we can use our art as a way to connect with others.”
Dance in the News
CFAC News | BYU Young Ambassadors Use Song, Dance and the Spirit to Connect with Audiences in the UK
CFAC News | Dance Alum and Incoming Instructor Bronte Hopkin’s Journey with Involvement, Faith and Community
Daily Universe | BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble celebrates 70 years of global heritage
Mark Your Calendars: Dates to Know
Uplifting Thought of the Week, by Elder Neil L. Andersen, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
On Sept. 15, 2026, Elder Neil L. Andersen gave the campus devotional address. Read an excerpt of his speech below, as told by Y News author Kevin Romero-Arroyo.
Elder Andersen’s message was split into four main ideas: what it means to settle faith in God, how to remain settled, how to strengthen a settled heart and what blessings come from a settled heart.
He began by defining the word “settle” as reaching a conclusive decision, finding rest and remaining firm in that choice. Elder Andersen then explained his understanding of a settled heart as weighing the blessings and sacrifices of following Jesus Christ and making a firm decision of the path one’s life will take. As members of the Church, he highlighted that this life decision means following the teachings of Jesus Christ, keeping covenants and remaining committed to His restored gospel.
With many distractions competing for attention, making the Savior the focus in life “requires an unusual clarity of purpose, a humility and a firmness of mind,” Elder Andersen said. When distractions arise, disciples can “courageously choose the road of discipleship.”
He explained that disciples can study and seek answers while recognizing that they do not need an answer to every question to remain committed to Jesus Christ. “Reason has the first word; revelation has the last word,” Elder Andersen quoted President Oaks.
Elder Andersen taught that as faith in Jesus Christ grows, important truths can become firmly grounded in the heart. He emphasized that students should not only believe these truths but live by them, encouraging them to “embrace the actions that follow.”
He taught that a settled heart brings greater faith and trust in Jesus Christ, spiritual strength to dismiss temptations and deceptions, greater clarity of one’s own purpose, and profound freedom as one chooses to follow Him.
Read the full Y News article here or visit speeches.byu.edu.
Tickets for World of Dance are on sale now, plus check out the mini documentary on a recent collaboration between the Department of Dance and the School of Music that took students outside the classroom to learn and create.
The Department of Dance Presents World of Dance
Sept. 24-26 | Marriott Center | Purchase tickets at onstage.byu.edu
World of Dance is returning to the BYU Marriott Center on September 24-26, 2026. Featuring the six mainstage performing companies in the Department of Dance, World of Dance has become a longstanding BYU tradition and the perfect way to kick off the fall semester.
This year’s performance will include new choreography and tried-and-true audience favorites. The International Folk Dance Ensemble will be performing choreography from Serbia, China, and Hungary. Theatre Ballet will be performing excerpts from Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, as well as reprising a piece by Eva Stone. Contemporary Dance Theatre will perform pieces by Keely Song, Bonnie Story, and Laja Field. Ballroom Dance Company will present their competitive ballroom medley, which won them the title at Blackpool this year, along with two other high energy pieces. Living Legends will perform a Venezuelan number, a Hula Auana, and a powwow medley. The Young Ambassadors will present movie and musical favorites ranging from a “Pure Imagination/Into the Unknown” medley to a “007 Suite.”
World of Dance is the only time all six of the mainstage performing companies get to share the stage, bringing their diverse talents together for an unforgettable show that you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are on sale now at onstage.byu.edu.
Dance Faculty Honored with Awards at 2026 University Conference
Hilary Wolfley received the Early Career Teaching Award. This award honors faculty who demonstrate outstanding promise and contributions in teaching. Hilary Wolfley is the ballet area coordinator and director of the BYU Theatre Ballet Studio Company in the Department of Dance. She holds a BA from BYU and an MFA from Hollins University. A former professional dancer, her award-winning choreography has been presented nationally and internationally. Having earned multiple professional certifications, she is passionate about mentoring students and exploring the intersection of creativity and motherhood through dance.
Adam Dyer received the Randall L. Morgan Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship Award. This award recognizes the outstanding achievement in teaching and supports continued efforts to enhance teaching and learning across the university. Adam Dyer is associate chair of the Department of Dance and an associate professor of contemporary dance. He teaches contemporary technique, conditioning, partnering, aerial dance, composition and musical theatre. His professional career includes Broadway, Walt Disney Entertainment, “Le Reve: the Dream,” The House of Dancing Water and Royal Caribbean. His choreography has been featured at BYU, the REV Theatre Company in New York, Sundance Summer Theatre and Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, Utah. Dyer holds degrees from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater/Fordham University and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Read more about our outstanding CFAC faculty in this article by Chloe Kearns, CFAC External Relations.
Mark Your Calendars: Dates to Know
The College of Fine Arts and Communications presents “Within the Canyon Performing on Nature’s Stage,” a Behind the Stories documentary
Uplifting Thought of the Week by C. Shane Reese, President of Brigham Young University, and Wendy W. Reese.
On Sept. 8, 2026, President C. Shane Reese and his wife Sister Wendy W. Reese opened fall semester with their devotional remarks. Each welcomed students to the new school year and spoke on topics they felt inspired to share with the campus community. Read an excerpt of their speeches below, as told by Y News author Ashleigh Staples.
Beginning her remarks, Sister Wendy Reese shared a story about the phenomenon of “selective hearing.” She then invited the audience to make this semester different by focusing on having ears to hear and using daily prayer as an opportunity to listen to what the Father has to say.
“When we understand our relationship with Heavenly Father, then we begin to understand daily, constant prayer is how we unite ourselves with His point of view,” she shared. “I promise that as you make your prayers more earnest, you will be able to put your trust in Him with all your heart instead of relying on your own understanding.”
Following Sister Reese’s remarks, President Reese addressed three topics to help students as they begin a new semester: embrace the awkward, the risks of frictionlessness and turn to Jesus Christ.
“Nobody masters anything by staying within the safety of what they already know. There must be productive struggle and frequent failure. So don’t be embarrassed by the stumbles, champion them,” he said.
President Reese encouraged students to follow the Savior’s example by slowing down, serving others and making meaningful connections.
Read the full Y News article here or visit speeches.byu.edu.
Today marks the first day of fall classes for our students and being back in the RB has never felt so good. Auditions and placement classes are open, and single tickets for all performances go on sale on September 9th. Don’t forget to enter the CFAC Creative Works Contest for a chance to win cash prizes. Check out the list of important dates below.
Mark Your Calendars: Dates to Know
Catch up on what students have been doing this summer, from the Contemporary Dance Study Abroad to the Young Ambassadors’ European tour.
Contemporary Dance Study Abroad Recap
This summer, 18 students and BYU dance faculty Kori Wakamatsu and Marin Roper spent five weeks in Amsterdam, The Hague, London, Vienna and Bern, where they took dozens of classes and completed three BYU courses, Dance 366, 540 and 544. In the Netherlands, the students took classes at the Henny Jurriëns studios, performed at the Open Podium at Foodhallen, and participated in a workshop with Netherlands Dance Theater. The students also took classes at the University of Roehampton and The Place in London. In Vienna, they participated in the well-known ImPulsTanz Festival, and in Bern, the students took classes from Vanessa Cook, with whom the BYU Contemporary area has a long standing relationship with.
“BYU has taught me to be curious,” dance student Sadie Adair shared. “I have learned how to constantly be investigating new ways of movement. This helped me throughout the Study Abroad to try different styles of movement with an open mind. It allowed me to dive deep into the concepts that we were learning each class.”
The study abroad was designed to expand students’ understanding of the world, expose them to new ways of thinking and moving, and uplift them spiritually. “I learned that art and dance are a process, and it looks different for everyone,” Adair said. “I learned that it is a good thing to be confident in what you can do and be willing to share yourself with others. That’s how we learn from each other.”
Young Ambassadors Tour Recap
The Young Ambassadors (YAs), led by Nathan Balser, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, 2026. They toured Musselburgh, the Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh, and London, performing, sightseeing, and hosting devotionals for local stakes.
“The performances we did at the Fringe Festival were stressful but it was amazing to see how positively our show affected other people,” said YAs member Cole Martin. “I will forever remember the people who thanked us for our talents. By giving our talents to God, it means He used them to bring people hope.”
“My favorite parts of the tour were the devotional we did for the Edinburgh Stake and attending the St. Paul’s Cathedral in London for Evensong,” he added. “Both brought me to tears. I love sharing my testimony through song.”
Check out @byuya on Instagram to see reels from their time abroad.
Mark Your Calendars: Dates to Know
Uplifting Thought of the Week by dance student Sadie Adair, on her Contemporary Dance Study Abroad experience
As a group of BYU students, few of us knew each other, but throughout the Study Abroad I saw all of us helping each other when we needed it. I saw people being there to comfort each other when we felt home sick or creating plans with large groups to go enjoy the beautiful scenery and experiences in Europe. I watched our group minister to each other. Because of the love shown from each person, I was able to be lifted up and help lift others. I saw the light of Christ through each of [my classmates].
One of my favorite moments of the study abroad was spending the morning in the Hague temple as a group. Afterwards, we had a wonderful discussion with Vanessa Cook. The Spirit in the room was so strong, and every one of us could feel the love that we have for each other and the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of us. I will never forget that morning!
Before Fall 2026 semester starts, get to know Kris Crowther, the new academic advisor over the Department of Dance. Contemporary Dance Theatre and International Folk Dance Ensemble students have returned from their travels abroad and share their experiences below.
Meet Kris Crowther, the new academic advisor over students in the Department of Dance. Kris joined the CFAC advising team in 2025. She graduated BYU with a bachelor’s degree in nursing then earned a master’s degree in organization leadership from Columbia Southern University and a College Advising Certificate from Columbia University Teachers College. Get to know Kris and understand her role in our department in the interview below.
Describe your role as an advisor for the department of dance: My job is to work with a student and their faculty mentor to make a plan that covers starting college to finishing it. My job is to plot it out so the student can see all the steps they need to take to graduate. The dance major especially deals with a lot of substitutions because students may have opportunities that can count towards credit. Their path might not always stay the same, so I support them through any changes. As they move through their education, I help them be aware of opportunities.
How did you get into college advising?: When I was at BYU I changed my major four times. My grandma is a nurse so I met with an advisor in the College of Nursing, and she was so good. This was before there was MyMap. She created a whole grad plan for me and when I could see it and visualize my college career, I knew I could do it. It was a magical moment. When I told my husband, he asked me to make him one. I then started doing it for friends and eventually my kids. My kids’ private school needed a nurse and also someone who could do administrative tasks like advising and I had the mindset that I was willing to learn anything. My favorite quotes is, “It’s a great day to learn something new.”
Do you have a personal tie to dance?: I danced growing up. I started acting in local theatre when I was seven and that involved some dancing. I did cheer and dance in high school. I even took a few dance classes while I was at BYU! I took social dance and a jazz dance class. I still love performing.
What do you love about higher education?: It is versatile. I help students find what works for them, whether it is the subject matter, how it is delivered to you, or how your education fits into your life.
What is something you enjoy about the College of Fine Arts and Communications?: I love getting to know the students and then going to support them. You get to do that in the College of Fine Arts and Communications maybe more than other colleges. It is always more fun for me to go to a performance when I know someone who is in it. I went to the Theatre Ballet Studio Company “Emerging Works” concert in April and one of my students choreographed for it. I was just so proud.
What are you looking forward to most in the next year?: I’m really excited to be able to go to more of the dance performances because I will know students in them.
International Folk Dance Ensemble Tour Recap
International Folk Dance Ensemble (IFDE) spent the month of July touring Europe, adopting the name American Folk Dance Ensemble as they performed in festivals in Belgium, Hungary, and Romania.
Their tour included dancing in the “Hello! Schoten Festival” in Belgium and the “Festivalul Inimilor” and “Timisoara Festival” in Romania. Drawing in audiences between 1,500 and 3,000 each performance, the festivals also included performances for elderly folks in rest homes, parades, workshops, and interfaith church services. Other highlights included a Hungarian dance workshop with the Duna Art Ensemble and a percussive TikTok collaboration between Malaysian drummers and BYU cloggers.
IFDE student Samuel Devenport shared some moments from the tour that impacted him spiritually. “Some of us visited an Orthodox church on our first day in Timișoara, Romania, and we talked with a sister from the church there,” he said. “She shared many beliefs with us, and the Spirit was so strong! It was amazing to see the humble faith of this devout woman. It was evident that her faith filled her with love for all of God’s children, and it was so inspiring.”
“I think my favorite moment of the tour was our second night in Timișoara,” Devenport added. “Our show was canceled because of rain, so we organized an impromptu country western dance club and taught anyone who wanted to come American dances. A lot of people from other groups came, and it was so cool to see lingual and cultural barriers fall as we all danced together. Afterward, several other groups taught us some of their dances. It was amazing to just dance together and share each other’s cultures.”
One audience member from Bucharest commented on IFDE, saying, “You work so hard and do so excellent with your performance. It is a gift from God that you share and it makes other people happy and gives joy.”
Summer Dance Camps: Youth Ballroom Dance
The 2026 BYU summer dance camps closed with two Ballroom camps: the Youth Ballroom Dance Camp and the Youth Dancesport Summer Medley. Students had the opportunity to learn under internationally acclaimed BYU Ballroom Dance Company faculty and students. Student in all four levels had the opportunity to perform what they’d learned for family and friends in a closing banquet and showcase.
Members of the BYU Youth Dancesport team participated in the Summer Medley Intensive where they spent four days learning from faculty and guest instructors in an immersive medley experience.
Uplifting Thought of the Week | Contemporary Dance Theatre in Europe Recap
By dance student and member of Contemporary Dance Theatre Kara Williams.
Kara Williams shares her experience traveling to London this summer with Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT). Their field experience involved taking a variety of contemporary classes ranging from contemporary technique to physical theatre explorations. They took classes at The Place and Siobhan Davies Studios.
My favorite experience from my trip to London with CDT was visiting some of its many breathtaking cathedrals. I was in awe of the artistry, craftsmanship, and profound devotion to divinity embodied in each one. I admired these spaces as human expressions of faith and was struck by the enduring significance of spirituality throughout history. The cathedrals reminded me that creativity can be an act of devotion, and that devotion is fundamental to the human experience.
Being in London with CDT challenged me to discover my priorities. Because city life is so bustling, I had to decide carefully where to give my time and energy. Whether that be honing my skills in the studio, calling my family at home, or experiencing life in London with my friends, it required selection and balance to devote myself to the most meaningful parts of my life.
I am constantly being uplifted and spiritually fed by my fellow CDT members. I am in awe of their patience, positivity, and their Christ-like approach to navigating life, and in this case, London.
Our dance students are enjoying the final weeks of summer term, with performing groups still touring nationally and internationally. On campus, BYU Summer Dance Camps are coming to a close.
Kinnect Teaches and Performs at daCi in Maryland
In June, Kinnect performed at and participated in the 2026 Dance and the Child International Conference (daCi) in Maryland. The conference is specifically focused on intergenerational dancing with classes and workshops made up of all ages. While the workshops were led by professionals, the creative sessions were collaborative; everyone worked together to create an intergenerational dance to perform on the last night of the conference.
“I had so many people comment on how wonderful the BYU students were in helping facilitate the sessions and collaborate with children and adults,” said Karen Jensen, director of Kinnect and creative session leader at the conference. “It was great to see their skillset, their choreography, their leadership all coming into play. Kinnect’s mission is to create a thematic show that we tour to elementary schools where we then teach, so the students are creators, performers, and teachers. I met two directors from programs similar to ours at the conference, but not many universities have a dance program like Kinnect.”
Jensen said that seeing five-year-olds sharing the stage with 80-year-olds was magical. “Dancing is for everyone,” she said. “It’s rare to see a dance program that isn’t concerned with age or ability level, rather the focus is on everyone coming together and celebrating through dance.”
“The intergenerational aspect of daCi was spiritually uplifting to me because I felt like it was a celebration of creation and the gift that our bodies are,” said Kinnect student Miriam Lamb.
One way the Kinnect students connected with other conference participants was by passing our BYU dance stickers. Each had the challenge of finding a friend and giving them a sticker.
This year, Kinnect’s show, “Flight,” was inspired by the Wright Brothers, and focused on history, geography, and invention. The piece was choreographed by Jocelyn Smith, BYU dance visiting faculty, who also attended the conference.
“We were one of two college programs that performed and it was so cool to see how the audience responded to the piece,” said Jensen. “People appreciated that we were showcasing a truly creative dance centered around imagination, and how we tied history and dance together.”
Kinnect student Emma Brenay said she felt the Holy Spirit while performing. “When we were dancing on stage, I just felt the Spirit so strong even though it wasn’t necessarily a spiritual piece,” she said. “I could feel God’s love as I danced with my company, and I felt a sense of gratitude to get to share my love of dance and God in those short four minutes. Many of the members in the audience might not have been members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I know they felt that Spirit, too, without even knowing it.”
Summer Dance Camps: Contemporary Dance, Living Legends, YASE
BYU Dance Camps continued throughout July as students fill the RB halls with the sounds of music, laughter, and rhythmic steps. The Contemporary Dance Intensive was split into two sessions where students had the opportunity to learn a variety of contemporary dance styles, including hip hop, from BYU faculty and guest artists. One highlight for many of the students was getting to learn from and dance with Cosmo the Cougar.
Students in the Living Legends Dance Camp spent three days immersed in cultural dance from North and South America and Polynesia. They had the chance to learn first hand from current Living Legends students, participate in a talent show, and perform for their family and friends in a final showcase.
For two one-week sessions of the Young Ambassadors Singing Entertainers workshop, high school students studied music and dance under Young Ambassadors director Nathan Balser and other experienced entertainers. They had the opportunity to participate in an Entertainers’ Showcase and a Final Performance for family and friends. They had group dance classes and small-group instruction to develop technique in dance, voice, and stage presence.
Uplifting Thought of the Week by dance student Mac Moore as told to Ellie Lallatin, CFAC External Relations
Student Mac Moore choreographed a piece for DancEnsemble, titled “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” which was then accepted to be adjudicated at the Red Rocks Dance Festival in St. George. She choreographed a second piece, “Ask Me How I know,” which was a tribute to her aunt who passed away from breast cancer in 2025. She submitted her choreography to the Minerva Teichert Creative Works Contest and won.
“Dancing through the heartbreak and loss [of losing my aunt] is what kept me going,” Moore said. “‘Keep on dancing!’ were the last words [my aunt] said to me, and every time I keep on dancing, I receive insurmountable blessings. Throughout the rehearsal process for ‘Ask Me How I Know,’ I could feel her presence in the room with me. Every time I came into the studio, I felt God creating this piece alongside me. Receiving the Minerva Teichert Prize feels like confirmation that I am on the right path.”
Read more about Moore and her choreography in an article written by Ellie Lallatin for CFAC External Relations, here.
BYU OnStage has announced the 2026-27 performance season and FlexPass tickets are on sale TODAY.
The 2026-27 season is a special one because it will mark the completion of the new Arts Building. World of Dance will be the first performance in the Arts Building’s Mainstage Theatre and what better way to “break in” a new stage and celebrate the opening of the building than with BYU’s six mainstage performing companies. Both semesters are filled with performances featuring original works by students and faculty, including Embodied, a concert with new choreography by contemporary dance faculty. BYU Dance will wrap up Fall semester with a classic and with something new: Folk Dance’s Christmas Around the World in the Marriott Center and Theatre Ballet’s all-new production of The Nutcracker in the Mainstage Theatre. Whether you’re a dance novice or a tried and true supporter, a fan of one genre or an enthusiast of all, the 2026-27 BYU Dance season has something for you.
For tickets and more details on each performance, visit onstage.byu.edu.
Read the full full BYU OnStage brochure here.
Fall Semester 2026
Winter Semester 2027
Dance in the News
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Emma Richardson, International Folk Dance Ensemble student
One evening, while the International Folk Dance Ensemble was participating in the Festivalul Inimilor (Festival of Hearts), a thunderstorm prevented them from performing their scheduled show. Instead of despairing, the ensemble hosted an impromptu American Dance workshop for the other dance groups in the festival.
“I really think that when we can’t speak verbally together, dance and movement and music is what connects us,” said IFDE dancer Emma Richardson. “I feel like I’ve come out of this [experience] better because it is always best to see the good when things just aren’t going as expected. [This experience] really taught me that [lesson] through connection and through dance.”
Watch a reel about this experience and check out more content from the IFDE tour on Instagram @byu_folkdance
In the last newsletter we introduced our newest full-time faculty, but we couldn’t squeeze all of their good insights into just one newsletter! As a Fourth of July special, read part two of the exclusive interview with Moni Tiatia and Ryan Podzikowski below.
An Interview with Moni Tiatia and Ryan Podzikowski, BYU Dance’s Newest Full-Time Faculty:
What is your favorite style of dance to teach and perform?
Tiatia: I have the most experience dancing and teaching Ori Tahiti or Tahitian dance. I’m Samoan, so I’m biased in that direction, too.
Podzikowski: My favorite style to dance is American Smooth. Each dance in that style tells a different type of love story. My absolute favorite is Smooth Viennese Waltz. There’s something so moving about the power and energy in the music — it is glorious to dance.
Do you have a favorite memory or an important lesson from your time as a student?
Tiatia: The dance program at BYU teaches students how to magnify their talents in and out of dance. Whether you’re a dance major or not, there are so many opportunities to learn a new skill. Being a part of Living Legends as a student helped prepare me for life after college more than I anticipated — it taught me how to develop leadership skills, how to manage my time wisely, how to sharpen my skills, how to work with my peers toward a common goal, and how to communicate effectively. Pursuing your interests and exploring something new and difficult is an important skill to have in the world.
Podzikowski: My ballroom dance journey began in high school, where I had the opportunity to watch my coaches, Craig and Brittney Wakefield, dance together as husband and wife. Their artistry on the dance floor inspired me to hope that I, too, would one day marry a ballroom dancer. I loved the idea of being able to dance together with my forever sweetheart.
I am grateful to say that dream became a reality when I married my wife, Kaila, whom I met on the BYU Ballroom Touring Company. Throughout every stage of my education and career — even during seasons when the future was uncertain — Kaila has been my greatest supporter. Her unwavering encouragement has strengthened me personally, professionally, and spiritually.
As it turns out, competitive ballroom dancing was a great proving ground for a young married couple like us. We learned that to be successful on the dance floor, we needed to learn to communicate with humility, serve each another, exercise patience, and build mutual trust. As we worked together toward our shared goals, we found those qualities also strengthened our relationship at home.
Ballroom dancing has become far more than a competitive or artistic pursuit for me. It has reinforced my desire to build a Christ-centered marriage founded on unity, selfless service, and continual growth together.
What is a snack that gets you through a busy day of dance?
Tiatia: I have to go with Cuties [oranges], they’re the best.
Podzikowski: I’m a big Coke Zero guy, and I love sour candies. There is a new Sour Skittles flavor, Wild Berry, that is my current favorite.
The BYU Department of Dance’s two newest full-time faculty are no strangers to the RB. Both Ryan Podzikowski and Moni Tiatia were students, and then adjunct faculty, before their new appointments. Get to know them in an exclusive interview below.
An Interview with Moni Tiatia and Ryan Podzikowski, BYU Dance’s Newest Full-Time Faculty:
What is your favorite aspect of teaching at BYU?
Tiatia: I love seeing the students’ potential, their bright futures, and their commitment to both the gospel and their vocation. I see them trying for excellence in all aspects of their lives, from their hobbies to their careers.
Podzikowski: I love BYU’s dual heritage and that we can combine our discipline with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I was student on the Ballroom Dance Company we traveled around the world and taught about the Church; it was a huge missionary moment for me and was spiritually fulfilling to see the impact we have on the world. Now, I’m looking forward to having that same opportunity as a teacher.
What is something from your education that has shaped how you teach now?
Tiaita: I’ve been dancing since I learned to walk. My family taught me dances and songs simply through my culture. I started competing in high school and fell in love with it for myself. During my freshman year at BYU, a friend told me about Living Legends; I auditioned and performed with them for 4 years.
Since graduation, I’ve danced and taught at my aunt’s studio as a way to give back and share my culture. I didn’t necessarily pursue a performing career in dance but it has always been a part of my life. I was pursuing a career in Human Resources while teaching adjunct at BYU and directing Living Legends. I got my MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University with the goal to get a full-time position.
Podzikowski: As teachers, we often talk about our dance lineage. I’m the byproduct of a lot of wonderful teachers, starting with my mom and grandma who taught me Hawaiian dance during my growing up years. They were relentless in cleaning our dances, so I learned to have a critical eye and appreciate the refining it takes to reach a high technical level.
During my time on the Ballroom Dance Company, I trained with many different professionals who imparted a lot of knowledge in their respective styles. Paul Winkelman taught me how to tell stories with dance, which has inspired me to want to develop my dancers in their artistry, not just in their technique. Curt Holman taught me the process of creating beautiful collaborations with large ensembles of dancers.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Tiatia: Magic happens in the dance rooms of the RB.
Podzikowski: My favorite place on campus was the De Jong Theatre in the old Harris Fine Arts Center. I’m anticipating that my new favorite spot will be the new arts building! I’ve always felt like the theatres are sacred places; temples for music, dance, and art. I love performing and being on stage; entertaining, edifying, enlightening, and touching other people’s hearts through dance is a special thing for me.
Interested in learning more about our two new faculty? Stay tuned for part 2 of this interview coming out later this week!
Mark Your Calendar: Dates to Know
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Curt Holman, Department of Dance Chair, as given during the June 23, 2026 BYU Forum.
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