LEGRANDE LOLO is originally from Apia, Samoa, and attended school at LDS Church College Pesega in Pesega, Samoa. While at UVU, he helped found and choreograph for Atlas Dance Collective, attended American College Dance Association (ACDA) two years in a row, served as co-assistant to directors, choreographed for Synergy Dance Company, and presented work at UASAL and SCULPT. He also served as rehearsal assistant to Virginie Mécène in restaging Martha Graham’s historic work “Steps in the Street.” After graduation and before pursuing a master’s degree, Lolo will work with dance companies in the area, pursue somatic certifications, and his five-year goal is to dance with companies in Europe and travel nationally or internationally to perform.
HILARY DEMSKE is from Coppell, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, and an Artist Diploma (Meisterklasse diploma) in Piano Performance from the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, Germany. In 2006, Hilary received a Master of Music in Piano Performance from The Juilliard School, and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Michigan in 2009. Before receiving her doctorate, she was a Lecturer at the State University of New York-Fredonia in 2008. She started as an Assistant Professor at UVU in 2009, becoming an Associate Professor in 2015. In 2018, she became a Senior Fellow. In 2021, she won the Steinway & Sons Top Teacher Award and composed and released a Navona Records CD original arrangement of Franz Schubert’s Winterreise, “Journey for One: A Winterreise Fantasy for solo piano,” which received acclaim from Gramophone Magazine. She has served as Higher Education Academy Artistic Director, performed at American Mountain West International Piano Festival, and is a Competition Steinway Artist. Hilary performs internationally. “I love the dedicated and inquisitive students at UVU,” said Demske. She believes her graduates have limitless possibilities ahead as they more deeply and broadly pursue the arts.
PETER LEONARD, originally from Portland, Oregon, has designed over 300 productions for theaters and dance companies nationwide. His desire to create a magical experience for both the performers and the audience was rewarded with a Perry Award nomination in April 2003 for lighting Children of Eden produced by MOC Musicals. At UVU, he has designed lighting for multiple productions, including the acclaimed 2022 production of La Bohème. As Lighting Manager, Peter leads a team of parttime theatrical electricians in executing the lighting for every student and professional production in the Noorda Center and the Sundance summer musicals. Before joining UVU to open The Noorda Center for the Arts, Leonard designed shows at University of North Carolina, then taught lighting design at CU Boulder. Highlights among hundreds of national and international venues included the Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, NY City Center, Sadler’s Wells (London), and Movimentos Festival (Wolfsburg, Germany). His work with playwright and performer Vienna Carroll on Singin’ Wid a Sword in Ma Han helped the original musical earn the Audience Favorite Award in the NYC Fringe in 2009. To UVU graduates he says, “Follow your dreams! Who knows where they might take you.”
TRINITY JOHNSON, from Payson, Utah, is a junior at UVU in the Department of Theatrical Arts for Stage & Screen. She’s attending school on the Presidential Scholarship, is a student in the Honors Program, and has a current GPA of 3.9. Since starting school here, Johnson has been an employee at the Blair Family Box Office, has acted in several short films, and directed four episodes for the JSK Stories Web Series, “An Open Letter to Isabella Beck.” Johnson graduated from high school as the Theatre Sterling Scholar. “Working as an usher in the Box Office allows me to participate in many of the wonderful shows here at UVU,” said Johnson. “The work environment is positive and my coworkers are great. I enjoy my shifts and there is always something to smile about (even when it’s just the little snacks we get from VIP events).” In her spare time, Johnson enjoys watching “Star Trek” and baking (she is the unofficially officially designated Blair Family Box Office Birthday Treat Person). She has three younger siblings and a Boston Terrier.
AUBREY FISHER, from Provo, UT, maintained a high GPA and was a recipient of the Exemplary Merit scholarship. She danced on Synergy Dance Company, which allowed her to experience an upper-level team experience and work with new directors. “The best part about attending UVU is the overwhelming amount of support that is felt here and the acceptance of everyone,” Fisher says. “There is a place for everyone, and you do not feel pressured to meet unrealistic standards.” After graduation, Fisher will continue at UVU and major in both dance education and modern dance. Within the next five years, she hopes to be working as a dance teacher and performing with professional companies where possible. She might eventually pursue a degree within other fields of study or enroll in other courses to continue learning and allow herself to become a more capable instructor.
BRITTANA ROBERTS is from Midway, Utah, and while at UVU, she earned a 3.98 GPA, a score of 58 on the “educative” Teacher Performance Assessment (EdTPA), and had her artwork accepted into an internationally juried art show called Bound and Unbound VI at the University of South Dakota. She was the Fall 2021 Visual Arts Presentation winner in the UVU Showcase of Undergraduate Scholarly and Creative Works, and the Spring 2021 winner of the American Association of University Women Award with her painting “Celebrating Women — Vibrant and Equal.” After graduation, she plans to look for a job teaching drawing, painting, or printmaking at a high school for five to ten years. She has plans to continue her education and get a master’s degree. “UVU has been a great starting point for me, as I have made many great connections with students, professors, and mentors,” said Roberts.
KIRBY BOLICK hails from Valencia, California, and attended William S Hart High School in Newhall, California. He’s most proud of his BFA show where he addressed the sensitive topic of suicide with an elegant, emotional, and potent approach through original photography, installation sculpture, and poetry. He was able to sell several of his art pieces to gallery attendants. He and his wife, Sarah, have four children, two of whom were born while Kirby attended UVU. “Truly commit yourself to your time here,” Kirby recommends to future graduates. “If I hadn’t committed myself to getting every drop of goodness out of my education, I would have missed priceless knowledge.” Currently, Kirby works with a company as their internal photographer, and he plans to stay with them for the next little while as he builds his freelance clientele. Afterward, he plans to own his own studio for commercial products, portraits, and campaign work for larger companies and private clients.
ALEX COBERLY is a graduating art history major at UVU. Whatever the region, era, style, or medium, he is eager to learn all he can about visual culture. He has been actively involved in many art-related projects throughout his degree, and is currently working on the second volume of Artemisia: An Undergraduate Journal for Art History Research and Criticism. This fall, Alex will continue studying art history at Penn State.
TANNER PEREZ is a senior in the Graphic Design BFA program and is currently working on doing design part time while in school. He enjoys making and appreciating designs that do what they set out to, but he takes a special interest in experimental approaches that use concept and form to challenge the expected in interesting ways. There are also few things better than a workhorse font. For now, he is leaving his career path pretty open but would love to join an agency in the near future and art direct at some point. When not designing, you can find him reading, playing tennis, watching movies, writing, or dreaming about adopting a pet.
KRISTEN O'DELL is honored by this recognition and would like to thank everyone who made her experience at UVU so meaningful.
MICHAEL CHURCHILL is a first-generation student from Utah who devotes his life to creating. He uses paint as a preferred media. Michael is currently working on a body of work titled Guise that aims to explore identity from an LGBT perspective. The idea stems from a powerful memory of coming out as gay on Halloween. Michael was awarded the Area Award in painting and drawing in UVU’s annual student show of 2020 and 2022.
ALICIA GOODRICH said, “All good messes lead to learning and, ultimately, creativity.” She uses multiple tools, methods and materials for her work stating, “I use whatever is really speaking to me at the time. You can create art out of anything; it is ultimately looking at one thing and seeing something else.” Alicia wants to be able to teach others through her art to look beyond what they see and know.
JESSICA KETCHUM-LEE from Magna, Utah graduated from Hunter High School. While attending UVU, she completed her student teaching, received her national teaching certification, and received a Utah teaching license. She served as the Assistant to the Director for UVU’s Synergy Dance Company and as an Assistant to the Director during the 2021 Senior Capstone performance. She was selected to present various research papers and choreographic pieces at four undergraduate research conferences and to work with professional dance companies Repertory Dance Theater and Diavolo. She graduated with a 3.9 GPA, Summa Cum Laude. After graduation, KetchumLee plans to teach dance at a local high school and accredited dance studio. “I would tell future graduates to take advantage of all of the opportunities that present themselves,” she said. “Really commit to learning and experiencing as much as you can, because UVU has so much to offer.”
STEPHANI KRISTINE BARNES is a dancer from South Jordan, UT. She received training at Utah Dance Artists and Classical Ballet Conservatory. She was able to compete a Raymonda variation at YAGP. After graduation she attended Utah Valley University and became a member of the Repertory Ballet Ensemble. She has had the opportunity to learn Piquita, Serenade, Swan Lake, Les Sylphides and contemporary works. Currently she is completing her BFA with hopes to pursue a professional career.
GRACE KNOX is a ballroom dancer and choreographer from Washington State, finishing her senior year at UVU as a Ballroom Dance major. Grace’s interest in dance was sparked when she attended the Pacific Ballroom Dance spring concert during her junior year of high school. She immediately tried out and made the show team. After two years performing with PBD, Grace fell in love with dance and knew it was what she wanted to pursue as a career. During her time at UVU, Grace has earned a place on the Ballroom Company Tour Team and been awarded a performance scholarship. She will be traveling to Blackpool, England in May 2022 to compete in a prestigious international festival. Grace has also achieved honors in several of her advanced technique classes and has placed top three in many ballroom competitions around the United States. For several years, she has trained with international ballroom champions to develop her skills as a competitor and will pursue a professional career in ballroom.
JADYN NELMS is a dance artist from El Paso, TX. She began dancing at the age of 3 & is graduating with a BFA in Modern Dance. While at UVU, she has performed works by Bret Easterling, Martha Graham, Courtney Mazeika, and Andy Noble. Upon graduation, Jadyn hopes to pursue a professional dancer career and continue to grow in the field artistically and educationally.
KAITLIN BOOTH is from Eagle Mountain, Utah and graduated from Westlake High School. Kaitlin’s performance history started at the age of 11 when she first started playing the cello. At UVU, she had the opportunity to perform with incredible groups such as Jason Alexander and Time for Three, and played in the pit orchestra for UVU’s professional production of La Bohème. She won the UVU Concerto Competition and got to perform a solo concerto with an orchestra, and she loved working with her two private teachers, Dr. Cheung Chau and Walter Haman. After graduation, she plans to continue working as a gigging musician doing studio work, weddings, chamber ensembles, orchestra groups, and whatever else comes her way. Currently, she owns her own business teaching cello lessons, so she will continue to do that after graduation as well. Booth enjoys working on her jazz piano chops, learning new instruments, arranging sacred music, hiking, eating sushi, doing yoga, and — most of all — spending time with her husband, Preston.
LANCE MERRILL studied Classical Voice with Dr. Anthony Buck and participated in the UVU Chamber Choir and Opera Workshop. In addition to his performance studies, Lance received the URSCA Grant for his undergraduate research exploring the use of music by LGBTQ+ individuals. He will begin graduate studies this fall in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA where he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship in Expressive Arts Therapy.
ALEC LOWE is a composer, producer, arranger, percussionist, live performer, and session musician with over a decade of industry experience. Alec was first recorded at age 14 before gigging internationally the same year. He has played with over 40 bands to date and has toured across the county on several occasions. Alec has produced and mixed several dozen songs and has played drums on over 100 recordings. Currently participating in an academic study of Nordic-animist music, Alec has created his own recording project, Mångata, which combines historically informed Nordic-pagan folk poetry with contemporary black metal. Alec composes and produces music for Utah-based meditation companies and Warner Chappell.
JOSH NEEDLES is from Meridian, Idaho and graduated from Rocky Mountain High School. While at UVU, he got involved as much as possible, including performing in UVU theatrical productions, joining the Theatrical Arts Guild (TAG) council at UVU where he helped originate the Chris Clark Award and the TAG Spotlight Series, and writing a play which was produced in UVU’s Short Attention Span Theatre. He was nominated for Irene Ryan awards and advanced to finals at the KCACTF competition, performed with Sundance Summer Theatre in their production of Mamma Mia, and was featured in a Hallmark Christmas Movie. Needles says that he learned how to be a more empathic and understanding human being in his time at UVU. After graduation, he plans to work as an actor for a while, get a master’s degree, and possibly teach at a university. “I wouldn’t have gotten through my degree without my family & friends.”
CIERRA PUGMIRE has wanted to be a teacher since the 2nd grade and is beyond grateful to the UVU School of the Arts for the many opportunities of growth she has received to better prepare her for a career in educational theatre. Having student taught at Vista Heights Middle School, she is ecstatic about working with young students in the future. Cierra is grateful to her family and friends for their undying support.
MIRANDA RICHARDS is a senior in the theatre department and will be the first student to graduate with a BFA in Stage Management. She has stage managed 11 shows while attending UVU, and worked on countless other productions in other capacities throughout the Utah and Salt Lake valleys. She would like to thank her mentors, who she has been fortunate enough to cross paths with, and her fiancé Alanna for their unconditional love and support.
KAT HAWLEY COOK is graduating with a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. Some of her notable roles at UVU include Ruth from Tribes, Viola from Twelfth Night, and Ladybug from James and the Giant Peach. She also performed in Oklahoma with Sundance Summer Theatre and is currently playing Guenevere in Hale Center Theatre Orem’s production of Camelot. She would like to thank her incredible professors and cohort for cultivating a safe space to risk and learn together
MALLORY THOMAS is graduating from the Theatre Arts BA with an emphasis in directing. She has had a passion for theatre since she was in 5th grade. She recently adapted and directed her own version of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. She hopes to continue to explore her creativity and tell stories throughout the rest of her life.
CHERILYN WORTHEN, from Chicago, IL, holds choral conducting and music education degrees from Brigham Young University and a PhD in music education from the University of Utah. She directs the Choir School for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and is an active guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States for school, church, and community choirs. Her research has been featured at domestic and international conferences including NAfME, ACDA, and the 2016 and 2018 Oxford Conducting Institute. She also serves as the Utah chapter president of the American Choral Directors Association. Worthen is proud of her work with the UVU Women’s Choir who premiered a piece called “Flight,” arranged by Ryan Murphy at the 2020 ACDA Western Division Conference. She is the inaugural recipient of the Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill Fellowship from the UVU Women’s Center to support a project featuring women students and faculty in performance of newly commissioned works. She loves traveling, baking, and spending time with her 18 nieces and nephews. To UVU music graduates, she says, “Your faculty are in your corner and know what it takes to be successful in these fields and industries. Work with them, allow them to push you, and don’t give up.”
CHRISTOPHER HOLMES, after obtaining degrees in opera at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (B.M. & M.M.), Temple University (M.M.), teaching voice at Texas State University, and performing throughout the United States, returned to his home in Provo to teach voice at BYU for three years and has been teaching at UVU for 12 years. With over 35 operatic roles to his credit, Christopher has been featured by companies such as Austin Lyric Opera, Central City Opera, Eugene Opera, Opera Idaho, and Phoenix Opera. He recently sang Marcello in La Bohème in The Noorda’s first professional opera. Christopher made his Italian debut in the role of Don Giovanni as a guest artist of Opera Orvieto. He developed a love for the Italian language and people while residing in central Italy for two years. He is a parent of three children with his wife Erin Kramer Holmes. Holmes’s favorite part about teaching at UVU is being introduced to the unique talents of so many students and having the gratifying honor and experience of helping them to refine their abilities. “Keep pursuing the path you are passionate about. Life is too short to do otherwise!”
