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Meet the 2025-26 DMSR

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.

Welcome Back! All You Need to Know for Fall 2025

With the start of a new fall semester, there are a lot of exciting things to look forward to. Check out upcoming performances, congratulate our new Department of Dance Chair, and learn how to celebrate important BYU anniversaries happening this year.

Curt Holman Appointed Department of Dance Chair

Effective immediately, Curt Holman is to succeed Shayla Bott as Chair of the Department of Dance. Holman was also awarded the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer award, BYU’s most prestigious faculty honor, at the 2025 BYU University Conference. Shayla Bott was appointed Associate Dean of Faculty in the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications on July 1, 2025. We congratulate both of them on their new positions and are grateful for their exceptional leadership within the department and college.

BYU Turns 150

October 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Brigham Young University. As a campus community, we are excited to both honor our past and envision our future, to remember the many people who have built this school into what it is, and to celebrate and share the divine gifts of light that BYU cultivates in all of us.

This year-long anniversary celebration will feature many varied activities, beginning in August 2025 and extending through June of 2026. Learn more here and watch how BYU shares the light of the arts with the world in the video below.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications Turns 100

Founded in 1925, the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications paved the way as the first Fine Arts College in the Intermountain West. As we celebrate our college’s 100th anniversary, we remember the important milestones that took our college from a humble group of learners to the awe-inspiring pillar of education we know today.

Together we honor our past, celebrate our present, and envision a future full of bold ideas, inspiring performances and meaningful connections. “Add Your Voice” by submitting your memory, experience or wish here.

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events and Performances

“The Stories We Tell,” Keely Song presenting at Humanities Conference | Sept. 18 at 9:10-10:30 a.m. in B192 JFSB
“Dance & Discipleship” Discussion and Q&A with Ballet West’s Rylee Rogers | Sept. 18 at 11:00 a.m. in RB Theatre | Open to all students, faculty, and staff
BYU Study Abroad Fair | Sept. 18 at 11:00-2:00 p.m. in the Marigold Quad (South of the HBLL)
Career Planning Series: Graduate School Information Sessions | Sept. 19 at 8:00-9:20 a.m. in 185/187 RB and 1:30-2:50 p.m. in 271 RB
World of Dance | Sept. 25-27 at the Marriott Center | Purchase tickets here | Read CFAC news release here
Mandatory Dance Major Meeting | Sept. 25 at 11:00-11:50 a.m. in 185/187 RB | All dance majors and minors welcome
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
Overnight Field Study at Lytle Nature Reserve | Students interested in applying to choreograph for DancEnsemble Winter Semester are invited to attend | October 10-11 | Talk to Marin Roper by September 30 to secure your spot

Uplifting Thought of the Week by Karen Jensen, Assistant Professor

This past summer, I was able to go to France with my family where we toured many cathedrals. I was captivated by the stained-glass windows and considered the time invested and the artistic vision for each of them. The individual pieces of glass were so distinct in shape, color, and texture — yet, knitted together they created harmonious thing of beauty.

As I began this new semester I thought about how unique each student and teacher is — much like a piece of stained glass. Each semester we link arms together as we embark on new academic journey; learning and growing together, hearts knit together in Christ. We get to learn from each other regardless of our role — teacher, student, colleague, peer, friend. Doctrine and Covenants 88:77 states, “And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.” I hope that as we work together this semester we will grow in body, mind and spirit while creating something beautiful.

Apply now: Arts Bridge Program

Applications open for experiential learning Arts Bridge program for Fall 2021

The BYU ARTS Partnership is currently accepting applications for the BYU Arts Bridge Program for Fall 2021. The BYU Arts Bridge program is an experiential learning program that pairs BYU students with classroom teachers to collaborate on arts integration projects in the classroom.

Students will collaborate with partnering classroom teacher(s) to select the lesson(s) they would like to teach from the bank of arts-integrated lesson plans listed on education.byu.edu/larts/lessons. The scholars and teachers will work with a BYU faculty mentor to adapt and implement the lesson plan and document their learning experiences. Each Arts Bridge project will include 3-6 arts-integrated lesson plans in one classroom. Arts Bridge Scholars may work on several projects throughout the course of the semester depending on experience, needs, and performance.

We will receive applications through April 15th (the date on our website is currently wrong, we will fix that) and interview the week after, announcing placements by the end of April. Students can apply by both submitting an application online at education.byu.edu/arts/arts_bridge and sending a resume and cover letter to heather_francis@byu.edu.

Open applications for summer dance camp counselors

Now Hiring:

BYU Summer Camps – COUNSELOR – Job Openings

Dance Camps / Young Ambassador Singing Entertainer Workshops

We are moving forward with plans to hold in-person camps this summer in the hope that COVID conditions will allow us to do so. Updates will be posted on each camp website.

If you apply and we have to cancel, you will be notified immediately.

If you are sociable, responsible, and like working with youth, this opportunity is for you!

Boost your resume with interactive experience
Develop meaningful relationships with youth from all over the world
Get paid to enjoy fun activities with the campers
FREE housing for the duration of the camp, FREE meals while on duty
Counselors are on duty 4:00 pm – 9:00 am weekdays and 1 weekend (depending on the camp)
$350/week and $200/weekend

2021 Camp Dates:

International Folk Dance Camp: June 14-16, 2021
- Day Counselors: 8 am – 9 pm
- Day/Night Counselors: 24 hr/day
Contemporary Dance Intensive: June 21-July 2, 2021
YASE-I: July 5-12, 2021
YASE-II: July 12-16, 2021

Again, we are moving forward with needed planning hoping that the COVID conditions will allow these in-person experiences!

APPLY TODAY! Applications are due April 30, 2021.
APPLY: dancecamps.byu.edu
Questions? 801-422-8713 / dancecamps@byu.edu

Dancers: BYU CFAC on-campus jobs available

CFAC Job Openings ~ As of April 8, 2021 ~ To apply, visit yjobs.byu.edu.

BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC)
OPEN POSITIONS FOR STUDENTS // Spring + Summer 2021 (training TBD)

Assistant PR Coordinator – Y Jobs ID: 95498
- Supports managers and other employees by providing administrative and campaign support and ensuring efficient operation of the office. This position is ideal for students interested in boosting their portfolio and working in communications, public relations and marketing campaigns.
Admin Assistant – Y Jobs ID: : 95497
- Supports managers and other employees by providing administrative and campaign support and ensuring efficient operation of the office. This position is ideal for students who are highly organized and have a great attention for detail.
Web Developers – Y Jobs ID: 95473
- We are looking for two student web developers. This job involves working closely with others to build these sites as well as troubleshooting and debugging them. This position is ideal for technical majors such as Information Technology or Computer Science.
Writer – Y Jobs ID: 95820
- The student writer will work on releases and features for BYU Arts and the six academic units within the college (Art, Communications, Dance, Design, Music, Theatre & Media Arts). Articles will focus on events and student and faculty experiences. These articles are posted on the college and BYU Arts websites. Recent examples can be found on cfac.byu.edu/news and arts.byu.edu/news. This position is ideal for journalism, PR or editing majors.

[Non Student | Staff Job]
Senior Writer – 95647 * staff employment website

The Senior Writer will work on releases and features of BYU Arts and the six academic units within the college. In addition to these duties, the Senior Writer edits all articles that come through from the student writers, as well as provides general copy editing work for the whole office. The Senior writer is a leadership and mentoring position that is crucial to the office’s overall performance.

BONUS!

BYU Arts is also hiring! See the job posting from Bridget Benton below: Events Specialist: YJobs Code ID: 96154

The events specialist serves as an assistant to the producer of the BRAVO! Series in planning for and executing season performances. As an assistant, you will be interacting with, providing assistance to, and learning from world-famous performers!

Kinnect is a BYU Contemporary Dance Student Troupe that Reaches Out to Elementary Students

BYU Photo, Feb. 2021, Kinnect Dance Photo Shoot. All students tested negative for COVID-19 before the shoot.

BYU Dance students from the ’20 – ’21 Kinnect troupe share their experiences from performing and creating this past year. The Artistic Director of Kinnect, and inspiring professor and mentor of these students, is Angela Rosales Challis, a renown dance videographer, choreographer, and international dancer.

In their own words:

Solana Armitage, courtesy of the artist

Solana Armitage: BYU Sophomore, Dance BA Major from Glendale, AZ

What is Kinnect to you? Even though a major part of Kinnect is teaching and inspiring elementary kids, our reach goes further to people and dancers of all ages, including ourselves. Everyone can find their own inspiration from Kinnect, but I have developed creativity, dance technique and leadership from this team.

What do you love best about it? My favorite part about Kinnect is that even though we are a performing team, our work is not solely performance based. We also focus on the creative process of choreographing, teaching, and working together as a team which benefits us as individuals and as a group. It is this blend of specialties that has given me the opportunity to grow not only as a dancer, but as a creator.

How did you hear about Kinnect? By being a dance major, being involved in the department, and connecting with others who are involved, it lead me to audition for Kinnect, and I am so grateful I did!

What would you tell other dancers about it? Starting the first day of practice, we have worked on creating an environment of trust, respect, and support that has not only made me feel welcomed as a team member, but also as a friend. Some of the best relationships I have made at BYU have been through dance!

How has it changed you? I feel more confident in my decision to study dance and in my areas of interest. Diving into the creative process with Kinnect has pushed me in realizing my love for dance and its development. Kinnect has also given me new experiences such as being on real film sets and discovering my interest with that.

Camille Winn, photos courtesy of the artist

Camille Winn: BYU Sophomore, Dance BA Major from Chandler, AZ

Kinnect to me is a collaborative and creative place to enhance my problem-solving skills and learn from other talented dancers and students who all bring unique abilities and insights to the company.

I love the environment of excitement and energy that is created by so many dancers who all see dance differently and have been introduced to dance in a variety of settings and chapters of life.

I was asked to audition at the callbacks for Kinnect at the end of 2019 for the 2020 Winter/Spring semester. Before I was asked to attend callbacks, I had not known what Kinnect was because I was only finishing my first semester at BYU. I wish I had known what Kinnect was before that audition. My hope is that Kinnect can become more known and appreciated for its commendable mission and goal to create, perform, and teach not only the children we visit in the schools, but also our fellow company members and peers!

I would share with other students that Kinnect offers opportunities to create inspiring movement and pieces of art, perform technically and artistically centered choreography, and teach eager children the joy of creative dance!

Kinnect has enlightened my understanding of learning and exploration. Although I have learned much from our director, Angela Rosales-Challis, and my fellow company members, no one has taught me more than the children I was privileged to teach once in early 2020. Before the pandemic sent BYU students home, I was able to teach one class at an elementary school and the beaming little faces of those children as they confidently learned and explored through their individual movement was so inspiring and touching that I could not wait to visit them more. We are praying we will have that opportunity again this coming Spring term because Kinnect would not be Kinnect without the children we teach.

Spencer Waddell with Savannah Brown, duet, Feb. 2021, BYU Photo

Spencer Waddell: BYU Sophomore, Dance BFA Major from Oregon City, OR

What is Kinnect to you? Kinnect is a place for me to come together with other dancers and connect with them as well as others through dance.

What do you love best about it? I love the wonderful friendships I have made because of Kinnect and that I am able to be a part of the creative process of several different dances.

How did you hear about Kinnect? I heard about it on the BYU Dance Department website, but Angela (Rosales Challis) came to my modern class last semester and told us dancers about Kinnect.

What would you tell other dancers about it? Kinnect is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the process that makes a dance team function. For example, this year we are creating dance films, so we dancers are part of the creative process, the location scouting, the performing, the filming, the directing, and the editing. It is a well-rounded experience, and totally worth it.

How has it changed you? Kinnect has helped me to gain more confidence in my ability as a dancer because the people are very supportive and loving.

Morgan Wadsworth, courtesy of the artist

Morgan Wadsworth: BYU Freshman, Elementary Education Major from Snoqualmie (Seattle), WA

Kinnect 2021 is doing things differently than any other year! They are preparing 6 pieces to film and send to Elementary Schools in Utah. One piece is a collaborative piece with BYU’s Living Legends, three of them are student choreographed, and the remaining two were choreographed by astounding choreographers Adam Dyer and Marc Cameron.

Two weeks ago Kinnect finished filming their first piece. The title is “Stronger Together” which will be printed — frame by frame — and sent out to thousands of elementary school students to color and create a dance animation with!

Kinnect is also preparing teaching resources to send to teachers at elementary schools all around Utah. These resources are an exciting way for the Kinnect dancers to connect with the students and teachers. Stay tuned for the BYU Dance Live Stream on May 7th, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. when Kinnect will showcase some of their work! Follow them on Instagram at @Byu_kinnect to see what they’re up to next!

Watch Kinnect’s latest promo video here:

Kinnect dancers, from promo video, 2021.

BYU Dance Education Majors Go Forth to Serve in Pandemic

BYU Dance Teachers-in-Training Reach Out to North Utah County Middle & High Schools

(L-R) Emmalynn Pace, Lyric Ikeomu and Sofia Kimball at Lehi High School in Lehi, Utah, on Mon. Feb. 22, 2021. Photo courtesy of Ikeomu.

Even teachers in training are heroes this year! BYU Dance Education majors didn’t let the pandemic stop them this week. Eighteen BYU dancers brought sashays, smiles and swag to eager middle schoolers who learned to use dance to cope with school stress.

In past years, the BYU Department of Dance has hosted hundreds of young students from the greater Salt Lake Metro area for a Junior High Day of Dance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event this year was transformed into a day of outreach for several trios of BYU dance students who will be soon be dance teachers with full credentials upon graduation.

These teachers-to-be traveled on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, through icy roads from Provo to North Utah County and were welcomed into six schools: Lehi Junior High, Vista Heights Middle School in Saratoga Springs, Lake Mountain Middle School in Saratoga Springs, Timberline Middle School in Alpine, Lehi High School, and the Dance Conservatory in Pleasant Grove. Some classes contained students who were on the schools’ respective dance companies. Other classes were Men’s Dance, Intro to Dance and several advanced level classes.

Usually the Junior High Day of Dance is a chaotic, but exciting day on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo. School busses usually fill the college parking lots that day, while chatty 12-15 year-olds get a taste of college life, and chaperones are exhausted by 4:00. This year, however, the kids stayed in their schools’ dance studios, but got to enjoy a sampling of the BYU Dance life, customized for their own school and class level.

The middle school students were taught dance routines, given a chance to ask questions, and even treated to some new BYU Dance swag that the older students brought to them. The full-time junior high dance teachers were given information packets about the BYU Dance program and performing groups, to inspire their students to go to college and to continue to dance throughout their education.

BYU Dance Major Hali Boss was one of the teachers-in-training from BYU who got to experience this “Reverse Day of Dance” in two separate schools on Monday — Lehi Junior High and Lake Mountain Middle School. She had an excellent day and shares her observations in the paragraphs below.

In her own words ~ Hali Boss, BYU Dance Education Major

“It was such a great experience to have the opportunity to take what we are learning in class about teaching and apply it to a real junior high classroom. The schools were so gracious to have us and the students were polite and very kind. “

“It was fun to get to know the students through how they executed the movement we taught them. I was shocked at how large the class sizes were and how many students really want to be involved in dance. Although they had big classes, we were able to keep the students in their assigned spots due to COVID-19 restrictions and parameters.”

“I enjoyed watching the students have dance as an outlet during their day, and I believe it is so important for students to be able to express themselves everyday through movement. That is why it made me so happy to see how many students were allowing dance to be in their school schedule. ” ~ Hali Boss, BYU Dance Education Major, Feb. 24, 2021

In her own words ~ Lyric Ikeomu, BYU Dance Education Major

“Overall it was a really good experience to visit Lehi High’s dance company class and teach improv. I loved working with high school students. I think they’re such a fun group and have such good energy.”

“They’re also very talented and advanced technical dancers. This made it nice to push them in new ways of movement. I could tell that they hadn’t done a lot of modern technique or improvisation. And so initiation improv was a little out of their comfort zone, yet they were confident enough and skilled enough that they got it eventually.”

“I think that overall this teaching experience went really well. I think I connected with the students, and when I was teaching I felt good about it.” ~ Lyric Ikeomu, BYU Dance Education Major, Feb. 25, 2021.

Learn more about the BYU Dance Education major and teaching program here.

L-R Hali Boss, Alyssa McGuire, Cleo Ong at Lake Mountain Middle School in Saratoga Springs, Utah, on Mon. Feb. 22, 2021. Photo courtesy of Boss.

L-R Emma Terry, Tera Taylor, Hali Boss at Lehi Junior High School in Lehi, Utah, on Mon. Feb. 22, 2021. Photo courtesy of Boss.

Rachel Barker’s Dance Film, Sedimented Here, Premieres at LA Festival

L – R: Abby Trinca, Rachel Barker, McCall McClellan, and Jared McClure. Photo courtesy of the artists.

BYU Assistant Professor of Dance Rachel Barker’s film Sedimented Here was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Dance Camera West festival — one of the top three dance film festivals in the US. Three BYU Dance majors starred in the film — senior students McCall McClellan, Abby Trinca, and now alumnus Jared McClure. The trailer from Dance Camera West and their announcement can be seen here.

There were 250 films submitted from 35 countries. Barker’s film was selected as one of 16 finalists, among the likes of choreographer Hofesh Schechter, as well as the director of the Australian Dance Theater, Garry Stewart, and Adi Halfin, renowned filmmaker for companies such as Batsheva Dance Theater in Israel.

This film, Sedimented Here, starring three talented BYU students, was competing with seasoned professional dancers and filmmakers! The BYU Department of Dance is so proud of these dancers, faculty and filmmakers.

Barker said, “I am so thankful for my amazing camerawoman and editor, Ellen Maynard, producer Scott Cook, and second cameraman and drone operator, Walter Mirkss.

These 16 award-winning films were shown this month at the “Best of Fest” event — at a social-distancing friendly drive-in theater in Los Angeles!

Congratulations to all involved!

A fun post from a viewer in LA who saw the festival live!

BYU Dance Major Kaeli Dance Encourages Fitness in Y Be Fit Internship

Aptly named BYU Dance Major, Kaeli Dance, describes her involvement in her Winter 2021 internship as a health coach at the BYU Y Be Fit program below.

In her own words…

The Y Be Fit program (see infographic below) can be a lifesaver for BYU Dance majors because being a dancer is filled with stress surrounding food, comparison, and appearance. Our health program is individually catered to each person’s unique concerns.

You (as a client) can make your own goals and we support you with solid facts and the data from your entry tests. We want to help you learn and keep you accountable, not judge or demean.

The whole program is usually $125, but only $75 for students or $25 for staff! We are open to BYU students, faculty, adjunct, and staff.

One of my favorite parts of the program is the bod pod test. I got to see how much muscle vs. fat mass I have. Scales are often deceiving/discouraging because if you gain muscle, your weight will increase.

I am currently a student and using this job as my internship! Eventually I want to be a certified personal trainer and this is helping me on my journey there!

Other BYU dancers can get in on this, too! At the end of every semester there are applications to be a health coach for the upcoming semester.

BYU Dance Concerts ~ Winter 2021 ~ Free Livestreams

2001-67 0701 2001-67 Dance Ensemble BYU Dance Ensemble Photoday January 30, 2020 Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU © BYU PHOTO 2020 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322

View concerts at https://dance.byu.edu/byu-dance-live-streaming

BYU Dance Touring Companies Full-length Dance Concert Schedule ~ Winter 2021

All times listed are Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Fri., Jan. 29, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – International Folk Dance Ensemble In Concert (IFDE)
Sat., Jan. 30, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. – International Folk Dance Ensemble In Concert (IFDE)
Fri., Feb. 12, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Living Legends In Concert
Sat., Feb. 13, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. – Living Legends In Concert
Fri., Mar. 12, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Theatre Ballet Company In Concert
Sat., Mar. 13, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. – Theatre Ballet Company In Concert
Fri., Mar. 26, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Contemporary Dance Theatre In Concert (CDT)
Sat. Mar. 27, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. – Contemporary Dance Theatre In Concert (CDT)
Fri., Apr. 9, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Ballroom Dance Company In Concert
Sat. Apr. 10, 2021 – 11:00 a.m. – Ballroom Dance Company In Concert

Student Works Performances ~ Winter 2021

All times listed are Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Wed., Mar. 13, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – dancEnsemble (Contemporary)
Thurs., Mar. 14, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – dancEnsemble (Contemporary)
Wed., Mar. 31, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Senior Showcase (Variety of genres)
Thurs., Apr. 1, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Senior Showcase (Variety of genres)
Sat., Apr. 10, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Ballet Showcase Workshop

BYU Dance LIVE! Schedule ~ Winter 2021

5:00 – 5:30 p.m. MST

Fri., Jan. 22, 2021 – Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT)
Fri., Feb. 5, 2021 – Theatre Ballet Company
Fri., Feb. 19, 2021 – Ballroom Dance Company
Fri., Feb. 26, 2021 – Living Legends
Fri., Mar. 5, 2021 – International Folk Dance Ensemble (IFDE)
Fri., Apr. 2, 2021 – Young Ambassadors

Watch Live Performances on Select Nights This Winter!

Due to pandemic restrictions, in-theatre ticketed performances are not possible again this Winter Semester 2021. However…BYU Dance LIVE! is back with new live streaming events most Friday nights for your viewing pleasure!

These energetic performances will allow each of the Department of Dance performing groups to share their light with the world! Groups will rotate week by week, according to the schedule above. Also, the usually ticketed full dance concerts by world-class BYU touring performing groups are being broadcast live for free over two time slots, allowing fans across the globe to watch and enjoy.

Be sure to tune in at the time, as performances will not be recorded or available to be viewed later, due to copyright contracts on choreography and music. We hope you enjoy this unprecedented opportunity to view BYU Dance performances wherever you are in the world!