Earlier this year, Larson received the Smith-Pettit Foundation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Mormon LettersMelissa Leilani Larson discovered her talent and love for crafting words at an early age, writing her first short story in third grade.

What do legendary BYU basketball coach Stanley Watts, BYU All-American center Kresimir Cosic and current BYU illustration professor Justin Kunz have in common? All three have been part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies. Well, sort of. Watts and Cosic have been inducted as members. This past weekend, Kunz was honored as one of the two artists whose designs for a set of commemorative coins were unveiled during the event on September 6, which was broadcast on NBA TV. The 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin pays tribute to the game of basketball and the coaches, players, referees and contributors who make it an exciting game to play and watch. Kunz’s design for the obverse (heads) side features three players reaching for the ball in unison, reflecting how the sport of basketball has brought together diverse people around the world through a simple, universal and unifying athletic experience. It also includes a hoop rimming the edge, a net in the background and the inscriptions: LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and 2020. Read the full story at news.byu.edu.

What do legendary BYU basketball coach Stanley Watts, BYU All-American center Kresimir Cosic and current BYU illustration professor Justin Kunz have in common? All three have been part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies.

For his 14th production at Tuacahn, Threlfall and his cast — which includes BYU alums — take a different approach to “The Sound of Music” BYU professor Tim Threlfall takes the stage at Tuacahn in St. George, Utah as director for the 14th time in his interpretation of “The Sound of Music.”

BYU student jazz group Synthesis traveled to the Caribbean to learn from native-Caribbean jazz legends and bless others through musical performances and service in the local communities The BYU jazz band Synthesis is known throughout the world for their performances that combine the best of swing, blues, jazz, Latin and fusion to create something truly spectacular. This summer, the group left Provo and headed to the Caribbean for the unique musical and service opportunities that awaited them in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. “This tour in the Caribbean helped me to see that people are people, and they love their culture and music,” said Beth Campbell, a vocalist in Synthesis. “It was amazing to see the kind of music and dancing that they enjoyed. I wish we experienced more of that in the United States!” In addition to sharing their musical talent with audience members, they were able to give service and interact with locals. During their time in the Dominican Republic, Synthesis members stopped at La Victoria National Penitentiary in Santo Domingo to render service. Six students from the group were chosen to perform various songs from their tour program to 300 inmates. After their performance, members of Synthesis passed out hygiene kits to the inmates who were touched by this gesture of goodwill and generosity. Read the full story at music.byu.edu.

BYU music student Christian Orme submitted an original composition to the 2019 Brock Competition for Student Composers and won second runner-up For BYU School of Music student Christian Orme, what began as a challenge from a friend to write an a cappella piece for BYU Singers has turned into an incredible opportunity to explore his identity as a musician and composer. After three days of composing in late April 2019, Orme finished “Hymn to the Night” at about 3:30 a.m. The composition was inspired by the text of the famous poem written by the nineteenth-century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “The melody and subsequent harmonies that serve as the foundational underpinnings of the composition came rather quickly,” said Orme. “I wanted to evoke the beauty of Longellow's words which personify the godly, peaceful and restorative presence that the night brings. As with all the music I compose and arrange, I seek to draw others closer to the divine by merging the various components of composition that I find most compelling and soul-expanding.” After the initial draft of the composition was done, Orme turned to BYU professor Andrew Crane for guidance and feedback because of Crane’s expertise in composing for choral groups. Read the full story at music.byu.edu.

McKenna Wright had an unexpected opportunity to speak the language she learned on a volunteer assignment for her church when BYU invited her to perform in China. Brigham Young University invited the Young Ambassadors, a dancing and singing group, to perform as part of the BYU Spectacular tour. Wright, who is a performer in the group, excitedly accepted the invitation. When Wright received her volunteer assignment to Taiwan in 2014, she had no idea that years later she would be going to China and have the opportunity to use the language she spoke while in Taiwan. While living in Taiwan, Wright enjoyed learning about the Taiwanese culture and studying Mandarin Chinese. She shared that it helped her develop a love for the Taiwanese and Chinese cultures, which gave her a desire to integrate them into her life after her volunteer experience was completed. “It was like a springboard where I was like, ‘Of course I want to make Chinese my minor at BYU,’” she said. “I want to learn everything I can and associate myself with people who are from China or Taiwan.” Read the full story at universe.byu.edu.

Seven faculty members from the College of Fine Arts and Communications were recognized — four with university awards and three with college awards Several faculty members from the College of Fine Arts and Communications were recognized during BYU’s 2019 annual University Conference for their outstanding accomplishments and service. Kelly Loosli, Claudine Bigelow, Daniel Everett and Kori Wakamatsu received university faculty awards. Stephanie Breinholt, Daniel Barney and Nathan Balser were presented with college awards. University awards were announced at the opening session of University Conference on Monday, August 26. College awards were presented by associate dean Amy Jensen and dean Ed Adams during the college meeting on Wednesday, August 28. University Awards Kelly Loosli | Department of Theatre and Media Arts | Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award Loosli, a professor of animation, was awarded the Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award. This award highlights the masterful teaching accomplishments of faculty members at BYU. Loosli has had a passion for media arts since a teenager working as a clay animator for television commercials. While an undergraduate at BYU, Loosli won a Student Emmy for a claymation film. After his time at BYU, Loosli went on to work on major productions, including DreamWorks Feature Animation films “Shrek” and “Spirit.” Over the past 12 years, Loosli has dedicated himself to growing and expanding the BYU animation program into the nationally recognized program it is today. He teaches animation, storyboarding and screenwriting. Claudine Bigelow | School of Music | Karl G. Maeser Research and Creative Arts Award Bigelow, head of viola studies and chamber music coordinator, was awarded the Karl G. Maeser Research and Creative Arts Award. This award — given by the Karl G. Maeser Scholarship Society — honors faculty members for exceptional research and creative accomplishments. As an avid recitalist, Bigelow continues to perform locally and nationally throughout the year, including performing at the Grand Teton Music Festival each year. She has played with the National and Utah Symphonies, Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra and at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Bigelow was chosen to be a Fulbright Senior Scholar in 2012 and served as artist-in-residence at the Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. Daniel Everett | Department of Art | Young Scholar Award Everett, a professor of art, was awarded the Young Scholar Award. This award acknowledges faculty members who demonstrate immense potential and achievement in the early stages of their university careers. Currently, Everett serves as the LEP Coordinator for the Department of Art and oversees its BFA program. At BYU, he teaches new genre, photography and advanced studio courses. Everett specializes in many forms of media, including photography, video and installation. A solo exhibition by Everett has been featured in the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. His work has been displayed in more than 90 exhibitions in 16 countries throughout North America and Europe. Kori Wakamatsu | Department of Dance | Joseph E. White Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship Wakamatsu, the contemporary dance program coordinator, was awarded the Joseph E. White Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship. Fellowships acknowledge the time and effort sacrificed by “the university’s support services in providing a transfer of positions and budget to enhance teaching and learning.” As contemporary dance program coordinator, Wakamatsu oversees dance education within the Department of Dance. Prior to teaching at BYU, she taught dance at public middle and high schools in Utah. Wakamatsu has collaborated on projects including “The Thought of You” animation, “The Nightingale” play, “Dance Engine” and “On Site” mobile dance series. College Awards Stephanie Breinholt | Department of Theatre and Media Arts | Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Work Brienholt, the BFA acting area head, was awarded the Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Work during the college awards portion of University Conference. “Stephanie is continually involved in creative work in a mixture of directing and acting,” said associate dean Amy Jensen. “She is uncommonly adept at helping students accomplish great things; she has proved herself to be a professor who is helpful and caring.” As a nationally recognized director and award-winning educator, Brienholt helps students in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts prepare for a successful career in the theatre world. In addition to teaching, she is a professional actor, voice over artist, voice and dialect coach and designer. Brienholt is a member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. Daniel Barney | Department of Art | Excellence in Teaching Barney, a professor of art, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching for his accomplishments as a teacher and educator. Barney currently teaches classes in curriculum development and theory and methods in contemporary art. “Daniel is continuously described as being rigorous, current, inspirational and concerned for his students,” said Jensen. In addition to his time in the classroom at BYU, Barney serves as the assistant editor of “Journal of Social Theory in Art Education” and associate editor of “Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy.” He also participates in the review boards of several key research journals. Barney has co-edited the book “Arts Education and Literacies” and has authored articles for various art journals and publications. Nathan Balser | Department of Dance | Excellence in Citizenship Balser, a professor of dance, was awarded the Excellence in Citizenship, recognizing his service on several department committees and as associate chair in the Department of Dance. “His wisdom and insight is relied upon, along with his unique ability to bring people to a consensus,” said Jensen. “His colleagues describe him as understanding, peacemaking, generous, collegial and collaborative. He is an engaged artist who seeks opportunities to serve and advocate for the art of dance.” Balser teaches contemporary dance and musical theatre dance techniques and theories. During his time as a BYU professor, Balser has choreographed for The Young Ambassadors and Contemporary Dance Theater, as well as BYU productions of “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “Wonderland.” He has also choreographed multiple productions at Sundance Summer Theatre and Hale Center Theatre. Prior to coming to BYU, Balser performed on Broadway, toured nationally and appeared on Tony Award programs and Kennedy Center Honors programs on CBS. He is a consultant at Utah Conservatory of the Performing Arts (COPA) and is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA). College Staff and Administrative Employee Recognition (SAERA) Award Bridget Benton | Dean’s Office Francie Jenson | Dean’s Office Melinda Semadeni | Dean’s Office Becca Weidner | Advisement Center New Faculty and Staff Kitsa Behringer | Museum of Art | Museum Educator Jason Cassel | Music | Piano Technician Ty Davis | Dean’s Office | Creative Services Manager, BYU Arts Marketing Adam Dyer | Dance | Assistant Professor Eliza Tanner Hawkins | Communications | Visiting Faculty Desiree Gonzalez-Miller | Music | Visiting Instructor Tony Gunn | Theatre and Media Arts | Visiting Assistant Professor Devin Knighton | Communications | Assistant Teaching Professor Korianne Orton Johnson | Music | Assistant Teaching Professor Brian Smith | Communications | Associate Professor Jamie Kalama Wood | Dance | Assistant Teaching Professor

Thaylene Rogers succeeded Scott Boyter as Assistant Dean and Controller for the College of Fine Arts and Communications beginning September 2019. Rogers’ responsibilities include overseeing the college’s budgets and finances, as well as facilities. She also works directly with the business managers and accountants throughout the college. “I see my role as helping with whatever is needed in the college — working through resource issues to facilitate the wonderful creative work that goes on within the college,” said Rogers. Rogers received her degree in accounting in 1981 at BYU and returned to receive an executive MBA in 2015. She credits her time spent studying at BYU with opening doors to rewarding work and service opportunities throughout her life. After receiving her undergraduate degree in accounting, Rogers began working for Arthur Andersen & Co in both the Portland and San Francisco offices. She was a public accountant for the first five years of her career — primarily in tax practice — and then left the public sphere to do private industry work. Rogers chose to step back from her career for a time after the birth of her second child. She stayed current through financial volunteer work for local schools and community organizations. When the time was right, Rogers stepped back into the accounting world and began working as a CPA for various companies in Utah. Eventually, Rogers came back to BYU to work — drawn to the unique work environment at her alma mater. “There is a culture that respects and incorporates the sacred as we approach all aspects of our work,” said Rogers. Rogers began her BYU career in the financial office for Arts Production. After four years, she became the business manager for the Departments of Theatre and Media Arts, Art and Design — during which time she received her executive MBA. In 2015, Rogers accepted the position of Controller for BYU Technology Transfer. As the new Controller for the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Rogers specifically looks forward to the opportunity to serve those within the college. “The College of Fine Arts and Communications is a remarkable community,” said Rogers. “I’m inspired by the great work that comes out of this college. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute in my way to the impactful work produced. There’s something very special about the College of Fine Arts and Communications, and I feel blessed to be a part of it.”

Students from the College of Fine Arts and Communications travel to gain real-world experience and share their talents while studying abroad, competing, performing and interning

Jamie Kalama Wood is honored to accept the new role and hopes the community knows how much the group has affected her life for good

Dance Professor Highlights Relationship Between Physical Movement and Nature in Film