Three students--Alexis Flake, Taylor Lansford, and Lydia Defranchi--in the BYU broadcasting program have recently earned a national award known as the Gracie Award.

The much awaited Final Cut Film Festival will return to Brigham Young University's campus on Friday and Saturday, April 12—13. Each night of the festival will feature two programs at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

This past weekend BYU students have won three prestigious national music awards. Soprano Rebecca Pedersen, a sophomore at BYU, was selected as one of six winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, referred to by some as the “American Idol of opera,” on Sunday, March 10, in New York. The following day, pianist Conlan Miller and horn-player Spencer Park won first place in their divisions in the national finals of the Young Artist Performance Competition of the Music Teachers National Association. These win come on the wake of another success at the end of February, when BYU piano majors Hilary Heideman Mauler and Tiffany Winkel Delgado won first place in the United States International Duo Piano Competition in Colorado Springs. Kory Katseanes, director of the School of Music, was thrilled for the students, their families and their teachers. “I'm certain we've never had a semester of winners as we have seen this year. And it's not just the competition winners. Our many students who have been auditioning at various grad schools this spring have been met with overwhelming success,” said Katseanes. Pedersen is the latest in a line of BYU successes at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Lindsay (Robison) Killian was the first BYU student to win, in 2000, and was followed by Rachel Willis-SÁ¸rensen in 2010. Pedersen was also the youngest contestant this year in the semifinal and final rounds and is among the youngest winners ever in the competition’s 60 year history. Of her performance, The New York Times wrote that Pedersen was “a precociously polished 21-year-old soprano who sounded particularly alluring in ‘Stridono lassÁ¹’ from ‘Pagliacci.’” The Associated Press also praised her “polished technique and potent sound.” In addition to the $15,000 prize, winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions carries tremendous weight. As the Metropolitan Opera noted in its press release, given the reach of the auditions, the number of applicants, and the long tradition associated with them, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are considered the most prestigious competition in North America for singers seeking to launch an operatic career. Regarding the MTNA National Finals, Katseanes described BYU’s winning two of the five competition divisions as “huge.” “It is a tremendous achievement,” said Katseanes. “For BYU to have two winners in tonight's concert shines spectacular light upon our institution.” Violinist Sara Bauman, student of Alexander Woods, also competed as one of seven finalists in the String Division. Press for Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions AP Press for MTNA National Young Artist Performance Competition MTNA Press Release

The Department of Visual Arts invites the students and faculty of the College of Fine Arts and Communications to attend a department-wide seminar featuring Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry on March 14 at 11:00 a.m. in 2107 JKB.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Dance will present “Buckaroo: Cowboy Poetry in Motion” during the dancEnsemble winter concert Friday and Saturday, March 22-23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Richards Building Dance Studio Theatre. A special Buckaroo Ball Dance Party will be held after Friday night’s performance in 2006 Richards Building.

The Brigham Young University Chamber Orchestra will perform Thursday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall.

Soprano Rebecca Pedersen, a sophomore at BYU, was selected as one of six winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Sunday, March 10, in New York. Of her performance, The New York Times wrote that Pedersen was “a precociously polished 21-year-old soprano who sounded particularly alluring in ‘Stridono lassÁ¹’ from ‘Pagliacci.’” The Associated Press also praised her “polished technique and potent sound.” Pedersen had previously advanced through the Salt Lake locals, the Denver regionals and the New York semifinals. She was the youngest of the ten finalists selected from 1800 singers across the nation. In addition to the $15,000 prize, winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions carries tremendous weight. As the Metropolitan Opera noted in its press release, given the reach of the auditions, the number of applicants, and the long tradition associated with them, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are considered the most prestigious competition in North America for singers seeking to launch an operatic career. Many of the world’s foremost singers, among them Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson, Ben Heppner, Jessye Norman, Samuel Ramey, Frederica von Stade, Deborah Voigt and Dolora Zajick have received awards from the National Council. Annually, approximately 100 former auditioners appear in Metropolitan Opera productions. Pedersen studies vocal performance with Darrell Babidge. She is also mentored by world-renowned mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick and is a resident artist at the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Recent solo engagements have included concerts with the Utah Symphony, conducted by Thierry Fischer. Ms. Pedersen won the Utah Salute to Youth competition in 2010 and 2012. As a freshman, Rebecca won both the BYU Singer of the Year Award and the Concerto Competition, soloing with the BYU Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Pedersen also maintains a close working relationship with the Utah Lyric Opera Company, where she was cast in their recent productions of La Traviata and La Bohème. Roles include Fiordiligi (CosÁ¬ fan tutte) at BYU, and Genevieve (Suor Angelica) with Utah/Idaho Performing Arts Company. Photo: Metropolitan Opera

One of America’s most performed composers David Lang will visit BYU’s campus this week to present an Oscarson Lecture. During his visit he will meet with composition students and attend a performance of his Pulitzer Prize-winning piece “The Little Match Girl Passion.” The School of Music invites students and faculty in the College of Fine Arts and Communications to attend the following events: Group for New Music presents David Lang's The Little Match Girl Passion, and works by Knox, Xenakis, and Colquhoun Wednesday, March 13, 2013 7:30 p.m. Madsen Recital Hall Oscarson Lecture - Pulitzer Prize-winning Composer David Lang Thursday, March 14, 2013 11:00 a.m. Madsen Recital Hall David Lang lecture to Composition Seminar Thursday, March 14, 2013 3:00 p.m. E400 HFAC Mr. Lang's visit is supported by the Barlow Endowment Education Grant and the Oscarson Lecture Series. All admission is free. Photo: http://davidlangmusic.com/

The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts will host the well-renowned documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee this week, March 10—16. On Thursday, March 14, the public is invited to attend the film screening of “Photographic Memory” in the Nelke Theater at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, March 15, students and faculty of BYU are invited to attend McElwee’s guest lecture at 1:30 p.m. in F201 HFAC.

Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present the classic comedy “The Servant of Two Masters’” in the Pardoe Theatre Wednesday, March 20 through Friday, April 5, including matinee performances on Saturdays.

BYU piano majors Hilary Heideman Mauler and Tiffany Winkel Delgado recently won first place in the United States International Duo Piano Competition (USIDPC) in Colorado Springs.

Soprano Rebecca Pedersen recently advanced to the final round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She will compete for one of approximately five Grand Winner awards on Sunday, March 10 in New York, accompanied by the Met orchestra. The concert will be broadcast nationwide on the Metropolitan Opera Radio Network.