Welcome to Winter 2026

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

  • Folk Dance Open Auditions | Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m. in 270/278 RB
  • Living Legends mid-semester tour performances | Jan. 15-16 in Taylorsville, Utah; Jan 28 in Waddell, Arizona; Jan. 29 in Thatcher, Arizona; Jan. 30 in Queen Creek, Arizona; Jan. 31 in Mesa, Arizona | Tickets available at tix.byu.edu
  • Young Ambassadors mid-semester tour performances | Jan 17 at 7:00 p.m. in Afton, Wyoming and Jan. 20-21 at 7:00 p.m. in Taylorsville, Utah; Feb. 5 in Ogden, Utah | Tickets available at tix.byu.edu
  • Ballet 5:8 Company Audition | Jan. 17 at 10:00 a.m. in 283 RB
  • “Roots of Memory, Branches of Spirit” | Dance MFA Thesis Presentation by Ryan Podzikowski | Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m. in RB Dance Performance Theatre
  • Ballroom Dance Company: Rhythm | Jan. 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets available here
  • International Folk Dance Ensemble: Journey | Jan. 29-31 at 7:30 p.m. in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets available here

Now Hiring   | CFAC Job Openings as of 1/5/26 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers

  • [Non-Student Position] Production Assistant – Theatre and Media Arts (Acting/MDT) | Part-Time | Job ID: JR-6316
    • This position will be a key contributor to the BFA programs in Acting and Music Dance Theatre (MDT).  You will production manage auditions, callbacks, proficiencies, workshops, guest artists, and master classes, as well as provide administrative and curricular support to the units.
  • [Student Position] Student Videographer/Photographer – Dean’s Office, College of Humanities | Part-time | Job ID: JR-6231
    • The Digital Media and Communications team in the College of Humanities is seeking a videographer/photographer to help create strong video and photo content for social media, publications, websites, and advertising campaigns.
  • [Off Campus Opportunity] Lagoon Auditions for Singers and Dancers
    • To reserve your audition time, contact auditions@lagoonpark.com

Uplifting Thought of the Week by Nathan Balser, Associate Professor

The beginning of a new year and a new semester always feels like an invitation—a chance for fresh starts. New dance opportunities. New theory and technique classes. Upcoming performances. New faculty. New students. When I pause to think about it, every day truly offers a chance to begin again, and that fills me with excitement and gratitude.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes renewal possible not just once a year, but every day and every moment. As the Apostle Paul taught, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As we seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost and draw nearer to our Savior, we are continually invited into that becoming. Renewal doesn’t require perfection—only willingness.

I wish for you all the motivation and determination to tackle the “hard things”—mental blocks, a stubborn rib cage, depth and freedom in your plié, or even the resolve to get out of bed early on a cold winter morning. I wish you success in your composition studies and collaborations. For our seniors preparing to graduate, I hope this becomes your best semester yet, filled with meaningful and satisfying “lasts.”

And for all of us, I wish joy in dance—joy in expression, progression, and passion.

You only get one Winter 2026. May we embrace it with faith, purpose, and gratitude, trusting that in Christ, all things can become new.

Merry Christmas from the Department of Dance

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

  • “Three Creator Awards are given each year to honour artistic merit and/or innovative ideas that foster arts in the city, contribute to artistic development and express the cultural vitality of Kingston. Camille Spencer is a dancer, choreographer, community builder, and educational force for movement in Kingston and the surrounding area. Camille has made significant waves in Kingston since arriving in 2020, helping to cultivate a thriving creative community in her field. As a founding member and now Co-Director of the Ground UP Dance Festival, a collaborator at H’art Centre, a member of Movement Market Collective, and a teacher at the Kingston School of Dance, Camille is a driving force behind movement art in Kingston.” Click the link above to watch a video about Camille’s work and impact.

CFAC News | BYU TBSC Debuts Original Alice Ballet

@brighamyounguniversity on Instagram | Featuring International Folk Dance Ensemble’s Cami Losik

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events

  • Dance Talent Award Auditions | Visit this SlideRoom link for applications for Ballet (Due Dec. 1), Ballroom (Due Dec. 1), Contemporary (Due Dec. 10), and Cultural (Due Dec. 8) areas. More information and instructions can be found at https://dance.byu.edu/grants-and-scholarships
  • Dance Major Declaration of Interest deadline | Dec. 10
  • Last Day of Classes | Dec. 10
  • Reading Day (No Classes) | Dec. 11
  • American College Dance Association 2026 Conference | Application Due Dec. 17, 2025 | Apply here
  • Last Day of Finals | Dec. 17
  • First Day of Winter Semester | Jan. 7, 2026

Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 12/9/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers

  1. [Non-Student Position] Technical Director | Department of Dance | Part-time | JR-6901
    • The Technical Director provides technical and logistical support for the Department of Dance performance and touring program locally, nationally, and internationally.  This position assists with student learning through mentored training on campus performances and touring experiences.
  2. [Non-Student Position] Dance Administrator and Assistant to Chair | Department of Dance | Full-time | JR-7298
    • The position is an integral administrative part of the Executive Committee of the Department of Dance and will work closely with the department chair in managing a broad range of responsibilities in support of the Department. 5+ years of experience required.

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.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Department of Dance

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

  • Dance Talent Award Auditions | Visit this SlideRoom link for applications for Ballet (Due Dec. 1), Ballroom (Due Dec. 1), Contemporary (Due Dec. 10), and Cultural (Due Dec. 8) areas. More information and instructions can be found at https://dance.byu.edu/grants-and-scholarships
  • Faith + Works Lecture: Alexandra Mackenzie Johns | “Conversations with Our Lively Dead: Theatre, Belonging, and Home” | Dec. 4 at 11:00 a.m. in WCCB Mainstage Theatre | CFAC faculty, students, and staff invited
  • Senior Capstone Concert: Threads | Dec. 4-5 at 7:30 p.m. in the RB Dance Performance Theatre | Free Admission
  • Christmas Around the World | Dec. 5-6 in the Marriott Center | Purchase tickets here
  • Christmas Around the World Folk Dance Alumni Reception | Dec. 6 at 4:00 p.m. in the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center
  • Theatre Ballet Studio Company Winter 2026 Auditions | Dec. 6 at 9:00-10:30 a.m. in 283 RB | Register here https://form.jotform.com/240044571494051
  • American College Dance Association 2026 Conference | Application Due Dec. 17, 2025 | Apply here

Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 11/26/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers

  1. [Non-Student Position] Technical Director | Department of Dance | Part-time | JR-6901
    • The Technical Director provides technical and logistical support for the Department of Dance performance and touring program locally, nationally, and internationally.  This position assists with student learning through mentored training on campus performances and touring experiences.
  2. [Non-Student Position] Contemporary Dance Adjunct Faculty | Department of Dance | Part-time | JR-6808
    • Responsibilities include instructing beginning, intermediate, or advanced Jazz technique and theory classes and/or instructing contemporary modern dance, specifically beginning to advanced levels of technique, and/or creative process courses.

Uplifting Thought of the Week | BYU Dancers Give Thanks

November Performances and Alumni Events

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

  • She Loves Me | BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts with choreography by dance faculty member Brooke Storheim | Nov. 7-22 | Mainstage Theatre, West Campus | Read CFAC news release here | Purchase tickets here
  • dancEnsemble in Concert: Currents | Nov. 13-15 in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Q&A with the student choreographers will be held on Thursday | Read CFAC news release here | Purchase tickets here
  • BYU Stewardship Symposium “On Becoming Disciple-Stewards: The Restored Gospel and God’s Creation” | Nov. 14-15 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the Maeser Building | There will be an “Environmental Resonance” Faculty Music Concert on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in The BOX (Music Building) | Keely Song will be speaking on an artistic panel titled, “An Act of Listening, an Act of Witnessing,” with Michelle Kesler and Steven Ricks at on Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m in 202 MSRB | No registration is required | Click here for more information
  • BYU Dancesport Championships | Nov. 14-15 in the Wilkinson Student Center | Purchase tickets here
  • Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company: Ink & Bone | Nov. 14-15 at 7 p.m. at the Orem Library Hall | Featuring the artistic works of BYU faculty Keely Song, Michelle Kesler, and Kau’i Tuia | There will be a family and sensory friendly matinee on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. | For tickets and more information click here
  • Annual Grad Plans Due for New Majors | Nov. 15 | Click here for more information
  • BYU dancEnsemble and Kinnect Auditions | For Winter 2026 | Nov. 18 at 4:00-7:00 p.m. | Note that callbacks for Kinnect will be on Nov. 20 at 4:00-6:00 p.m. | Register here
  • dancEnsemble Choreographer Application Due | Nov. 18 | Interviews will be held on Nov. 20 | Apply here
  • Theatre Ballet Studio Company: Alice | Nov. 20-22 in RB Dance Performance Theatre | Purchase tickets here
  • BYU Ballet Observation Day | Nov. 22 | Register here

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.

October Dance Performance and Lecture Recap

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.

Rylee Ann Rogers giving lecture and Q&A to BYU students
Rylee Ann Rogers with BYU ballet students

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.

“Fragments of Movement and Sound” Participants and Contributors
Photo by Athena Davis

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

  • Q&A with former New York City Ballet dancer Miranda Weese | Oct. 30 at 11:00 in RB 185/187 | All BYU students, faculty, staff invited
  • Contemporary Dance Study Abroad | Application Deadline | Oct. 31 | Apply here
  • BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series Presents BODYTRAFFIC | Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
  • Faith + Works Lecture: Jeremy Grimshaw | “The Dimple of Skin at the Tip of the Sword: How Art an Artists Deal with Hard Stuff in Hard Times” | Nov. 6 at 11:00 a.m. in Music Building Concert Hall | For CFAC faculty, students, and staff
  • Living Legends Presents Seasons at West Jordan High School | Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m. at West Jordan High School | All proceeds will be donated to the People of the Pacific Club of West Jordan High School | Tickets here
  • Utah Dance Education Org. Teacher Conference | Marilyn Berrett will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award | Nov. 8 in the Richards Building | Register here.
  • DancEnsemble in Concert | Nov. 13-15 | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
  • BYU Dancesport Championships | Nov. 14-15 | Wilkinson Student Center | Tickets here
  • She Loves Me | BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts with choreography by dance faculty member Brooke Storheim | Nov. 7-22 | Mainstage Theatre, West Campus | Tickets here

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.

Meet BYU Dance Visiting Professors

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.

  • What is your favorite aspect of teaching at BYU? “BYU students are of a very high caliber intelligently and professionally. I feel like the students here are prepared mentally to work really hard. It is so nice to have more commonality with the students in terms of spirituality.”
  • Within the contemporary area, what is your favorite style to teach and to dance yourself? “I have a special place in my heart for historical modern dance but I do also really like searching for cutting edge contemporary. I like teaching things that feel good to me now; a major inlet to my class is improvisation. I value agency in my technique classes because that is what served me in my performing career. Not everybody is able to access what I’m hoping to achieve without that element of agency.”
  • What is something from your education that has shaped how you teach now? “The technique classes I took at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee really challenged what I thought movement was. They taught me that is important to be able to say why something is working and why it matters, and defend you position as an instructor.”
  • What is your favorite spot on campus? “I love the little spot by the stairs behind the RB. I’ve taken my improvisation classes out there to do site specific work. I feel like it’s a quick escape to nature.”

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.

  • What is your favorite aspect of teaching at BYU? “I’ve always been genuine in my teaching career, but I feel a level of authenticity here that I can share my insights about gospel related things and my testimony on where dance meets the gospel. I love hearing from students and where they are on their spiritual journey and discovering how we can grow together.”
  • Within the contemporary area, what is your favorite style to teach and to dance yourself? “I love teaching choreography because I believe creativity is a divine attribute that everybody has. I love contemporary dance forms because they allow such a breadth of new ways of thinking. I enjoy seeing the creativity of the dancers; it fuels me as an artist because they inevitably come up with new ways of approaching movement. Performing wise, I love release technique. There is something about allowing momentum to flow through your limbs, coming from your core. Its athletic and animalistic.”
  • What is something from your education that has shaped how you teach now? “Throughout my career, I have asked myself how dance can serve. I believe that teaching dance can help provide life skills for youth today. Teaching in public school has reshaped my views on what dance is, how I can give back to a community, and how dance as an artform impacts a community.”
  • What is a snack that gets you through a busy day of dance? “Well, a piece of chocolate can go a long way. I’m a big fan of cottage cheese with fruit on top.”

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

  • 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. The assessment is required for new and continuing students. | Register here
  • Dance Education K-12 Audition & Proficiencies | Oct. 22 at 12:00-3:00 p.m. in 177 RB | Be prepared to perform a taught contemporary technique sequence, street dance movement, show a self-choreographed solo, and participate in a short interview. | Contact koriography@byu.edu for questions | Register here
  • Contemporary Dance Study Abroad | Application Deadline | Oct. 31 | Apply here
  • BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series Presents BODYTRAFFIC | Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. | RB Dance Performance Theatre | Tickets here
  • Utah Dance Education Org. Teacher Conference | Marilyn Berrett will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award | Nov. 8 | Register here.

Dance in the News

Now Hiring | CFAC Job Openings as of 10/15/25 | To Apply, Visit https://hrs.byu.edu/job-seekers

  1. [Student Position] Writing Consultant | BYU Research and Writing Center | 10 hrs/week, $15/hr | Apply at rwc.byu.edu
    • RWC writing consultants support students from across the university with their various writing projects. Students who are interested in joining a dynamic community, strengthening their writing and communication skills, improving their résumés, and helping their peers improve as writers should apply. Hiring for Winter 2026. Two-semester commitment.
  2. [Non-Student Position] Senior Writer/Editor | BYU 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 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.

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:

  1. 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

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