Morgan Reis, Author at BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

BYU Journalism Students Work with Faculty and Staff to Create a Documentary on Spain’s Camino de Santiago

Morgan Reis — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 01:07:32 +0000

BYU communications faculty, staff and students co-produce a documentary filmed in Spain about the famous network of pilgrimages — Camino de Santiago Five students and three professors from the BYU School of Communications traveled to Spain to capture the experience of BYU Spanish language majors walking the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in northwestern Spain. The footage they took was compiled into a documentary about the Camino de Santiago, why people walk it and what it means to be a pilgrim. The 15-minute video, “Camino de Santiago: The Way of St. James,” was released on Aug. 25. “Our communications students conducted themselves so professionally. They were passionate about the project and hardworking,” said Cressman. “We were very fortunate to have this experience. I believe it begins to fulfill the vision of our school’s director, Ed Carter — to get our students out into the world in mentored-learning situations where they can do challenging but exceptional things.” BYU communications students shadowed and interviewed BYU Spanish students on the Camino de Santiago study abroad as well as others they met along the pilgrimage. “Everywhere I went on the Camino, people told me they had met one or more of our students,” said Cressman. “In every single instance, those people told me how impressed they were with them.” Read the full story at comms.byu.edu.

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Abe Gong, BYU Alumnus, Shares Insights on Cultivating Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunities

Morgan Reis — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:10:15 +0000

BYU School of Communications students, professors and alumni joined together for a catered lunch and a motivational lecture on Friday, Sept. 20 Public relations graduate Abe Gong was the guest speaker at the Fall 2019 Beckham Lecture, a semi-annual lecture given by a communications alumni or professor to students. He is currently the CEO of Superconductive Health and was chosen for his innovations in healthcare research. Gong focused on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that guide individuals’ lives — both professionally and personally. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that have happened in Gong’s life include his undergraduate education at BYU, his masters degree at the University of Michigan, various job opportunities and creating a family with his wife. Gong noted that people typically say “seize the opportunity” when encouraging others to take chances that could lead to positive growth, but he argued that the word “seize” has a sudden, forcible and grasping feeling that inhibits personal responsibility for opportunities. Instead, Gong believes that students should think of the phrase as “cultivate the opportunity.” As individuals seek to cultivate opportunities in their lives, they will create and shape life-changing trajectories and events. Read the full story at comms.byu.edu.

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Professor Quint Randle Wins Top Faculty Paper Award for Research on Drone Usage in News Media

Morgan Reis — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 20:31:45 +0000

BYU communications professor uses passion for flying drones — both personally and professionally — as inspiration for award-winning research paper School of Communications professor Quint Randle’s fascination with drones led him to co-write a paper that won the top faculty paper award from the Scholastic Journalism division of AEJMC. Randle teamed up with fellow drone-enthusiasts and communication professors Avery Holton from the University of Utah and Jean Norman from Weber State University to research the use of drones in collegiate environments and the policies that individual universities have surrounding their use on campus. “I’ve been interested in flying drones for the past couple of years,” said Randle. “The legalities and rules of using drones in journalism is a new and exciting topic. It’s an interest in my personal life and has become a big interest in my professional life as well.” The paper entitled “Drones on High: Uses and Challenges of Incorporating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Into Higher Education” gives a small glimpse into a larger project that Randle, Holton and Norman have been working on about the adaptation of drone usage in the field of news media. These professors believe that drone usage in news media has the potential to open the door to better visuals and multimedia to accompany reporters’ stories. Read the full story at comms.byu.edu.

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BYU’s Synthesis Has Unique Musical & Service Opportunities in Caribbean

Morgan Reis — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 22:18:52 +0000

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.

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Music Student Impresses Judges with Hymn Based on Famous Nineteenth-Century Poem

Morgan Reis — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 20:47:28 +0000

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.

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CFAC Faculty and Staff Recognized at Annual University Conference

Morgan Reis — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:24:50 +0000

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Thaylene Rogers Named as New Assistant Dean and Controller for the College

Morgan Reis — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 00:17:29 +0000

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.”

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CFAC Students’ Talents Take Them Around the Country for Experiential Learning Opportunities

Morgan Reis — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 23:37:20 +0000

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 Each summer, students in BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications take the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom and make their mark on communities. From Washington to New York, these students are having inspiring learning opportunities all over the country. Read more about how students from the College of Fine Arts and Communications answered President Kevin J. Worthen’s call for inspired learning during May, June, July and August. Ti Ti Tabor Hungarian Folk Dance Camp (Courtesy of McCall McClellan) This summer, dance students McCall McClellan and Ashley Paget traveled to Washington to attend the Ti Ti Tabor Hungarian Folk Dance Camp. McClellan and Paget were able to improve their technique in Hungarian folk dancing, which they began learning during a class offered on BYU campus. “The opportunity to dance with more experienced partners and live musicians was incredible. It was definitely unlike anything I’d experienced before. This community of Hungarian dancers and musicians were passionate about their culture,” said Paget. “They loved what they were doing — always wanted to help and teach us as newcomers. I was humbled to see how much they honor their roots and realized I should embrace where my family comes from even more.” In addition, they were able to participate in various other activities on Raft Island — a small island in the Puget Sound — like singing, canoeing, exploring the local harbor town, swimming and forming lasting friendships. Camp participants also took a night swim to see a bioluminescent bay. Internship with Food Blogger Tara Teaspoon (Courtesy of Tessa Samuelsen) BYU public relations student Tessa Samuelsen headed to the Big Apple this summer for an internship with food blogger Tara Teaspoon (@tarateaspoon). Through this experience, Samuelsen was able to sharpen the skills she has already learned at BYU through the communications program. “I loved working on this side of public relations — in the recipe development and food styling aspect of the food industry,” said Samuelsen. “It’s a beautiful world, full of fascinating people and interesting foods. I learned so many things and got to acquire many new skills.” In addition to the time spent at her internship, Samuelsen visited famous locations throughout the city, tasted the unique cuisine and saw more of what New York has to offer. Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teacher Training (Courtesy of Ryan Hatch) Dance student Ryan Hatch participated in a teacher training program at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet School and Company (CPYB). This school is recognized for its unique style of teaching ballet and has been known to produce highly-talented ballet dancers. “I was really excited to participate in the CPYB teacher training because the school has such a unique philosophy on teaching ballet,” said Hatch. “The teachers believe that anybody can be a ballet dancer — as long as they put in the work and have the necessary training. In ballet history, people have believed that you need to have the perfect body in order to succeed. At this training, they broke down how to teach children to dance and become beautiful artists.” Hatch walked away from this experience as a more confident dancer and teacher, which will help him to inspire future ballet dancers throughout his career. “This experience has given me so much knowledge as a dancer and a teacher,” said Hatch. “This teacher training paired with my methods of teaching classes at BYU has prepared me to teach and inspire my students.” Communications New York Experience (Courtesy of School of Communications) School of Communications professor Joel Campbell and 23 students traveled to New York for an eight-week field experience. Their time spent in New York was structured around two BYU communications classes: “Media and World Religions” and “Gender, Race and Class in the Media.” From the heart of New York City to Palmyra, students were able to learn more about others from different religions, races and cultures. One of the highlights of the trip was touring the Chabad Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish Community and learning more about the rituals of Jewish bath and synagogue. The group also had the opportunity to visit Flushing, Queens, one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in America. At the end of their time in New York, they were joined by nearly 50 communication grads for an alumni dinner overlooking Times Square. Hollywood Bowl (Courtesy of Susan Kupferer) Recent TMA grad Susan Kupferer, the assistant stage manager for BYU’s China Spectacular! 40th anniversary tour, was able to apply what she had learned during her undergraduate studies at BYU to a real-world experience that most stage managers only dream of having. In early August, Kupferer had the wonderful opportunity to work at the Hollywood Bowl — one of the top 10 live music venues in the United States according to Rolling Stone Magazine. “Working at the Hollywood Bowl was an absolute dream,” said Kupferer. “I met and worked with so many amazing and incredibly talented people. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do this show.”

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Dance Professor Highlights Relationship Between Physical Movement and Nature in Film

Morgan Reis — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 21:00:03 +0000

BYU dance professor Rachel Barker and three dance students worked together to create a site-specific dance based on three locations in Moab, Utah Department of Dance professor Rachel Barker and dance students McCall McClellan, Jared McClure and Abby Roush traveled to Moab in southern Utah to create a video that investigates the role between human movement in dance and the nature that surrounds them while dancing. Barker and her students filmed site-specific dance choreography, which is a type of choreography that responds to the environment that surrounds the dancer outside of the traditional concert stage. They found inspiration at three separate filming locations in Moab. Each place was chosen for its unique perspective and feel. The section of film shot in Moonflower Canyon placed dancers against the backdrop of high canyon walls. Dancing in Pucker Pass gave a bird’s-eye view of dancers on top of high ledges with steep drop offs. Onion Creek allowed dancers to use the flowing creek as a stage for dancing. “The location of the film was such an important part of it,” said Barker. “We wanted to feature the dancing and the environment equally. We wanted to play with perspective — exploring close-ups of the human body juxtaposed with aerial views that showcase the grandiose natural landscape — and also touch on the similarities between physical movement and nature.” The students began choreographing the film long before they had even stepped foot in Moab. Months prior to the shooting, Barker began asking them to make phrases, or short sections of choreography, based on various elements of nature like water, dirt and rocks. Read the full story at dance.byu.edu.

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TMA Professor Brings 30 Years of Costume Design Experience to BYU Productions and Tours

Morgan Reis — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 19:26:32 +0000

BYU Theatre and Media Arts professor Dennis Wright designed over 400 costumes for the 2019 China Spectacular! BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts professor Dennis Wright developed a love for costume design while he was in junior high. What started out as a unique fashion sense and a knack for homemade Halloween costumes has turned into a successful career that has taken Wright all over the world. Mostly recently, costume designing took Wright to China on BYU’s China Spectacular! 40th anniversary tour. Inevitably on the largest tour BYU has ever done, there was a high demand for costumes — over 400. Wright alongside a small team of cutters, drapers and stitchers, was responsible for the costumes worn by 160 student performers in eight performing groups. “At times, the scale of this production was certainly overwhelming,” said Wright. “However, I truly enjoyed bringing the vision and purpose of this show to reality. China Spectacular! was a fantastic experience! Having the opportunity to work with eight different performing groups and their directors was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Read the full story at tma.byu.edu.

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