Hear From Campers, Counselors and Young Ambassador Director Nathan Balser about Their Spectacular Experiences This July
This July, over a hundred teens from across the country descend on BYU’s campus for one of the most rigorous — and rewarding — weeks of their summer. These teens travel to attend the Young Ambassadors Singing Entertainers Workshop (YASE), which offers five days of high-energy musical theatre training. Here, youth not only hone their talents but also deepen their faith.
“This camp is joyful,” said Anne Jones, a rising junior from Arizona. “I love performing; it is such a special part of my life. And here, I am growing my skills in an environment full of people who believe in Jesus Christ.”
Run by the BYU Young Ambassadors since 1982, YASE is a weeklong performing arts camp for youth ages 14–18, offering immersive training in voice, dance, and stage presence. Campers are placed into “companies” to learn group numbers and audition for solo spots in the Entertainers’ Showcase and final performance. Each day includes technique classes, rehearsals, voice coaching, devotionals, and evening activities like games and outings.
“We try to provide value for everyone,” said Nathan Blaser, director of YASE and the BYU Young Ambassadors. “Some students come with years of training. Others are just exploring performing arts for the first time. The challenge is to help each camper feel included and seen without only recognizing the most skilled. That’s where the real growth happens.”
For Ella Corbridge, a senior from Utah attending YASE for the second time, the opportunity to learn alongside other faithful performers was a major draw. “Being a Young Ambassador has been my dream since I was little,” she said. “This camp gives you a chance to get to know the program, the people and to push yourself. I’ve loved every minute of it.” Corbridge performed a number at both the student-voted Entertainer’s Showcase and the final Friday night showcase.
While these opportunities to grow as a performer draw many camp attendees, Corbridge stated that the group devotionals — held each morning and evening — were her favorite part of the performance camp. “They’re given by our counselors, and they’re full of real stories, spiritual lessons and so much love,” she shared, “You’re being shaped as a person, not just a performer.”
That connection between personal growth and performance is intentional. “We want these kids to leave feeling strengthened in their testimony, not just their technique,” said Miori Kennedy, a Young Ambassador and counselor at the camp. “As counselors, we’re here to help them navigate nerves, homesickness or whatever they are facing. Sometimes they just need someone to pray with them before going on stage.”
For Anne Jones, rising junior from Arizona and camp attendee, that spiritual support made all the difference. Just before the Entertainers’ Showcase, she nearly lost her voice to laryngitis. “My vocal folds were not even connecting for the high notes. I was crying that morning, wondering what I would do,” she said. Her group members prayed with her and Jones received a Priesthood blessing from one of the Young Ambassadors. “When I got on stage, the notes actually came out,” Jones said. “It was not perfect, but I felt God’s strength — that performance was a miracle.”
As the final showcase closed with cheers and applause, the message of the week rang clear: in a world of spotlights and stage fright, it’s the light of Christ — and the courage to share it — that made the performance truly meaningful.