School of Communications faculty member Kevin John is one of the youngest professors here on campus and is teaching full time this coming fall semester. His collection of video game collectibles and consoles lining the walls of his office give testament of his youth.

The American Folk Dance Ensemble arrived in Croatia and met with members of the Zagreb LDS Branch to perform American dances. The group is headed to Karlovac, Croatia for a folk dance festival with dance groups from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia and Polynesia. The American Folk Dance Ensemble arrived safely in Zagreb, Croatia on July 3rd. After a pleasant day of sightseeing at historical sites, the Folk Dancers met that evening with members of the Zagreb LDS Branch. The Folk Dance Ensemble performed several American dances, after which they danced with the members, learning simple “pioneer” dances taught by Colleen West. One of the branch members brought a friend to the activity who had previously danced professionally with the “Lado” Croatian Dance Ensemble. He taught everyone Croatian dances, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The group is now headed to Karlovac, Croatia to participate in a folk dance festival with other dance groups from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia and Polynesia. The group is now headed to Karlovac, Croatia to participate in a folk dance festival with other dance groups from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia and Polynesia. Source: Performing Arts Management

Contemporary Dance Theatre students spent a rewarding exchange with the Young Single Adults of the Prague and Brno LDS branches. Dances were performed by CDT and then taught to the Czech members. The group is excited for the festivities of The New Prague Dance Festival this week. Landing in the Czech Republic on Friday morning was an exciting moment for members of Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT). It meant after all the practice and preparation, they had arrived in Europe at last! The group is eager to share their dancing and expertise. After a quick check-in to their Prague hotel and lunch, the group set out on a trip into the countryside. In a little town, Dobrichovice, surrounded by cherry trees and wheat fields, the group spent 90 minutes with a group of orphan children at Flight’s Children’s Home. Together they toured the facility, exchanged English and Czech sayings, and practiced cartwheels and handstands. Afterwards, the BYU dancers performed several dances for the children including American dance styles, Lindy Hop and tap dancing. Then the children joined the CDT dancers in learning a simple yet fun-filled line dance. Many hugs and well wishes were shared during the reluctant goodbyes. Many hugs and well wishes were shared during the reluctant goodbyes. Next the group traveled to and toured the Karlstejn Castle, one of the homes of the 14th Century Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. The history lesson continued the next day as the group traveled to UNESCO sites in Kutna Hora to better understand medieval history. The Gothic cathedrals and bone church, Kostnice, reminded the students of the long and storied past of dedicated believers. Saturday evening, Contemporary Dance Theatre students spent a rewarding exchange with the Young Single Adults of the Prague and Brno LDS branches. Dances were performed by CDT and then taught to the Czech members. New friendships were begun that would be furthered the following morning as CDT joined the members of the Prague Branch in their Sunday services. The Branch extended themselves showing love and generosity towards the BYU performers by providing them a meal and attending their devotional that evening. The Mission President, James McConkie, conducted the devotional presented by the CDT dancers, which was well received. More reluctant goodbyes were had as the students left. President McConkie expressed gratitude and thanked the group for coming to visit the members in Prague. The group is excited for the festivities of The New Prague Dance Festival to commence on Monday. They look forward to sharing their talents and friendship with the other festival participants this coming week. Source: Performing Arts Management

Sharlene Wells Hawkes, alumna of the BYU School of Communications, will be honored July 2 during the Freedom Awards Gala as part of America’s Freedom Festival at Provo. According to festival organizers, Hawkes is among four recipients to be recognized for 'unique contributions to the cause of the freedoms guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and the cherished America values of God, family, freedom, and country.' Photography by Mark A. Philbrick Link to bio on BYU Alumni site. >>>>

Three leading female soloists across three different fields of music – Renee Fleming, Kelli O’Hara and Nnenna Freelon – will headline the BYU Bravo! 2015-16 Performing Arts series.

The MOA’s new exhibit, “Moving Pictures: C.C.A. Christensen’s Mormon Panorama,” showcases a unique set of American folk paintings that occasionally show up in various LDS literature. Collectively, the works carry far more significance.

Greg Whiteley, TMA alumnus is director of Most Likely to Succeed, an education documentary that asks: Why has our education system stayed the same while our economy has drastically shifted with technology? The film kicks off with a brief history lesson of the U.S. education system, which was largely geared toward producing factory workers for the industrial revolution.

A post about tagging a favorite Comms professor/staff member on the The BYU School of Communications Facebook page has already reached more than 7000 viewers. How did one of these folks influence your life in a positive way? Tag your favorite professor or staff member and tell us about it. In August the BYU School of Communications faculty and staff gathered for a photograph. How did one of these folks...

Amy Petersen Jensen and Jeremy Grimshaw will replace Rodger Sorensen and Ed Carter as associate deans in the College of Fine Arts and Communications this summer. A third candidate, to replace Randy Boothe, will be selected later. Ed Adams, incoming CFAC dean, made the announcements this week to the faculty and staff of the CFAC. Jensen’s responsibilities, effective July 15, will revolve around faculty hiring, promotion, funding, professional development, arts education and research. “I look forward to serving the College of Fine Arts and Communications with Dean Ed Adams,” said Jensen. “He is a great leader whose practical vision for the CFAC will benefit us all. I am also very excited to serve the faculty of our college as they work to meet their scholarly and creative goals.” Grimshaw’s responsibilities, starting July 1, will include undergraduate/graduate student matters including curriculum, assessment, advisement, the college student association, as well as international programs and student funding. “I am very flattered and honored to serve in this capacity,' commented Grimshaw to a crowd of School of Music colleagues. “I’m grateful to have an opportunity to do it, to be able to work with Ed and Amy, and to be able to continue working with you.” Noting the service of Sorensen, Carter and Boothe–who will return to their departments/school–Adams praised them by saying that each has made significant contributions to the college during their tenures. “Their dedication and commitment have been exemplary and I express gratitude for the service they have given to the college and university in their assignments,” said Adams.

Kirt Saville, BYU professor of music education and the associate director of bands at Brigham Young University, was named as the new director of the BYU School of Music. Ed Adams, incoming dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, made the announcement today in a School of Music faculty meeting. Saville begins his three-year term immediately, replacing outgoing director Kory Katseanes. “I’ve known Kirt since he’s arrived at BYU,” said Adams. “We’ve interacted on a variety of levels. Kirt has my confidence as Director of the School of Music. I appreciate his willingness to accept the position as director and wish him and his colleagues every success moving forward.” From the start of his career at BYU in 2008, Saville has involved himself deeply in the School of Music operations. He helped lead in the review and revamp of the music minor and graduate music education curriculum, as well in the curriculum redesign of other courses. Before arriving at BYU, he served 15 years as a department chair at Washburn University. “I’m thrilled to be at BYU. It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” commented Saville after the announcement. “I know that as the director of the School of Music there is a certain balancing act that has to go on between all of the interests and all of the excitement and all of the energy that comes up from the faculty–and from the administration that comes down. Somewhere right there in the middle of that hourglass is the director.” Adams also praised Katseanes for his two terms as director of the School of Music and his dedicated efforts to further the work of the School during his tenure. “Kory has been a remarkable effective advocate for and representative of the School during a period of tremendous accomplishment and growth,” said Adams. “He has been a successful leader in so many ways including chartering an inspiring vision for the School of Music, raising money and raising the awareness of the School to the various publics. The impressive results will have a lasting impact on faculty and students for years to come.' Katseanes was invited by Adams to share a few words during the meeting. Katseanes praised his colleagues in the School of Music office and on the executive committee. “Without the associate directors and those people who are running the affairs of the School, the director couldn’t survive. It’s too big. It’s too big,' remarked Katseanes. “In many universities, this is a college, not a department. That’s the complexity of this, but it runs because there are so many good people who do such good work.” Stephen Jones, outgoing dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, presided at the meeting and praised the School of Music faculty for their part in the selection of a new director.

Justin Kunz, an alumnus of BYU’s illustration program and an assistant professor in the BYU Department of Design, recently received the “Most Original Award of Excellence” in the Associate Signature Division from the 24th National Juried Exhibition of the Oil Painters of America (OPA) for one of his paintings. OPA is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 4,000 artists throughout North America. Its mission is to advance the cause of traditional, representational fine art by providing a forum in which artists can display their art in regional and national competitions. Their National Juried Exhibition is one of the field’s most prestigious competitions. “The OPA National Exhibition is an important juried venue for representational painters,” said Kunz. “I had a piece juried into the show last year, but this is the first time I’ve won one of the awards.” Kunz’s award-winning piece, The Days Were Accomplished, is a 10” x 8” oil on linen representation of Mary as she admires the sleeping baby Jesus in her arms. Kunz says the title comes from Luke 2:6, 'And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.'The piece is currently on display in St. Augustine, Florida along with other awardees from this year’s National Exhibition. Owing much to the university he graduated from and with it being a motivating factor behind his work, Kunz had this to say about his love for BYU, “In all the time I've worked here, I have been very impressed with the high caliber of students, faculty and alumni. So many of them are doing remarkable things, striving for excellence in their fields, and making an impact for good in the world.” Kunz’s talents are not solely confined to painting. Along with working on a multi-figure painting of Christ raising the daughter of Jairus, he is also currently developing a movie. He has recently completed commissioned work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a series of numismatic designs for the United States Mint, including a gold coin and a quarter in the “America the Beautiful” series. To view more of Kunz’s work, click here.

Carl Bloch's painting 'Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda' will soon be joined by another Bloch piece at the BYU Museum of Art. The museum has acquired 'The Mocking of Christ,' a painting Bloch completed in 1880 that was only recently rediscovered.