Shelbi Anderson, Author at BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

Chamber Orchestra takes Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Turkey by storm

Shelbi Anderson — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 22:41:30 +0000

After a night of thunder and hail, orchestra members awoke to a beautiful, fresh morning with the sun shining, a perfect day for a tour of the alpine setting of Logatec, a city of 14,000. In preparation for the evening’s benefit concert, the mayor met with orchestra members expressing gratitude for raising funds to help the city recover from January’s devastating ice storm and the flood that followed. (The ice storm created a weight of more than 80 kilograms per meter of electrical wire. One could see the majority of trees in the area’s forests with the tops of the trees severed off and other broken branches all around.) Members of the orchestra were surprised to see the flood lines on houses that were well up the hill. In the evening a large paying crowd filled a good portion of the city sports hall. After several local musical numbers–and remarks from the fire chief and mayor–the orchestra followed. Before the finale, director Kory Katseanes, said through a translator, “Our final number is titled Appalachian Spring. After touring your beautiful city of Logatec on this spring day, I’m convinced that this music could have been called Logatec Spring. ” The audience gave an emotional applause of appreciation. On a nonconcert day, orchestra members were forced “underground” by the rain. Fortunately in Slovenia, the Postojna Cave, a massive underground labyrinth of more than 20 kilometers, provided the needed shelter. The group explored this mysterious underground kingdom of tens of thousands of cave formations. As the orchestra bid farewell to their beautiful Slovenia, feeling blessed to get to know what was to most of them an “undiscovered country. “ One could sense the next concert was going to be special. It seemed one that Shakespeare might call a “on such a full sea we are now afloat” moments. The surroundings, the acoustics of the Liszt Academy Grand Hall, the guest piano soloist, the energy of the students and the conductor, and an appreciative audience of more than 850 made a concert that Kory Katseanes described as “one of those rare musical moments that happen a few times in one’s life.” Director Katseanes also told the orchestra after the two encores, “I could tell from the first note that you were ‘in the zone.’ I hope you can always remember this day.” Backed by generous donors, the benefit concert provided 10 patient-warming units for local Hungarian hospitals. Just a day after the concert, a premature baby was the first beneficiary of one of the units. The day of the Gyor concert, with strong winds and drenching rain, the staff of the concert hall worried that no one would come to the concert. But an energized audience showed up and even demanded two encores. The finale of Budapest was Sunday evening to a packed audience at the local LDS chapel. Some orchestra members mingled and demonstrated their instruments to the many children there. After the rich cultural experience of Budapest, the orchestra members prepared for their final two cities in Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey. For a more full report and additional Mark Philbrick photos, visit the BYU Chamber Orchestra Facebook page. [slideshow width=”620″ height=”300″ effect=”Fade” pause=”7000″ speed=”600″] [item caption=”The BYU Chamber Orchestra at the Parliament Building in Budapest.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-42.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The beautiful, newly renovated Liszt Academy Grand Hall in Budapest was a highlight concert venue.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-61.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The concert in the Liszt Academy Grand Hall, described as “one of those rare musical moments that happen a few times in one’s life.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed3.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Kory Katseanes joins two orchestra members to see the premature baby who was the first beneficiary of the warming units that came from the proceeds of the Budapest concert.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-13.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The children at the musical devotional in Budapest enjoy the concert.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-23.jpg [/item] [item caption=”On a heavy rain day, members of the orchestra went “underground” to the Postojna Cave in Slovenia”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-53.jpg [/item] [/slideshow]

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Living Legends Auditions This Week

Shelbi Anderson — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 21:51:48 +0000

The internationally acclaimed performance group Living Legends will be holding open auditions for all interested Latin American, Polynesian and Native American full-time BYU students August 28-30, 2014. Students are highly encouraged to attend an open house on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 1137 RB where they can informally meet former members and get audition tips. A three-minute private audition will then be held first on Thursday followed by a group dance audition where hopefuls will be costumed and taught numbers from the show, “Seasons.” Final callbacks will take place on Friday and interviews will occur on Saturday. Audition results will be posted on Monday or Tuesday. Since 1971, Living Legends–formerly known as the Lamanite Generation–has performed the world over, appearing before audiences that have included the queen of Thailand, the governor general of Jamaica, and the queen of Denmark. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, Living Legends performed for athletes and visitors in the Opening Ceremonies as well as the Medals Plaza. Each year the noted ensemble’s performances are broadcast to millions. Living Legends has participated with the Alaska National Guard in its “Operation Santa Claus,” and they have also been honored performers at the Alaska Federation of Natives’ annual convention. Whether in Asia, Eastern or Western Europe, North or South America, or the South Pacific, Living Legends inspires audiences with its spectacular display of the cultures of Polynesia and the Americas. Living Legends is produced by the Department of Dance, College of Fine Arts and Communications, Brigham Young University. For questions about auditions, please contact J’Lene Willis at 801-422-5086, in the Department of Dance office.

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American Folk Dance Ensemble take on Switzerland, France, Belgium

Shelbi Anderson — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:50:33 +0000

The second week on tour was filled with some exciting opportunities for the Folk Dancers at two different festivals. Continuing the festival in Chateau-Gombert, the group began the week with a reception and gift exchange with the mayor of Marseille, France. Each country at the festival also performed a short dance for the mayor and the other groups from the festival. This is a standard occurrence at most folk festivals. The BYU dancers enjoyed one evening where each group at the festival taught their national dances to the other countries at the festival. It was a fun way for the group to get to know the other countries. It also gave the BYU dancers an opportunity to show everyone their prowess at international folk dancing. Seeing the BYU students dance Hungarian dances with skill and quality led the Hungarian group to invite the BYU students to a special dance party on the night before they left the festival. During this party, the musicians from both groups played Hungarian music together while the dancers partnered with each other for an hour of dancing. As the group danced the last dance, the director of the Hungarian group leaned over to the BYU tour manager, Jonathon Wood, and said that they are dancing the bon voyage dance because it was BYU’s last night at the festival. Other highlights included lunch and a performance at a rest home in Chateau-Gombert and the Kids Fest. The Kids Fest was a special afternoon when children could come and interact with the dancers from around the world. Each country brought songs and games to teach the children. The folk dancers had three-legged races, taught them hand slapping songs, and let them try the pioneer game called graces. As the group ended the week, they arrived at the next festival in Schoten, Belgium. In their official welcome by the festival, the group was told that in the eyes of Schoten, BYU and USA mean the same thing. This is the ninth time the group has been at the Schoten festival-the first time being in 1964. On the opening night of the festival, the crowd cheered as if BYU was an old and loved friend as the group was introduced. The cheering became louder as they performed. In the first three days of the festival they have performed on the main stage multiple times, taught dances to the public on the square in front of the castle, played games and danced with children, and sang for a multi-denominational service in the Schoten cathedral. Their songs “Go Ye Now In Peace” and “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” rang in the cathedral with a special spirit of peace and love. Many commented on the goose bumps they felt when the group sang while others asked for a copy of the music and lyrics to teach to the church choir. It was a fruitful week, with more to come. [slideshow width=”620″ height=”300″ effect=”Fade” pause=”7000″ speed=”600″] [item caption=”The folk dancers perform a southern waltz during a performance at a rest home in Chateau-Gombert, France.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed1.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Briant Jacobs and Amber Shepherd pose with the mayor of Marseille following a presentation to the mayor and gift exchange. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-3.jpg [/item][item caption=”Jason Allen and Lindsey Harris talk with residents of the rest home after the performance.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-11.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Members of the team have three-legged races with children during the Kids Fest in Chateau-Gombert.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-21.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The BYU dancers and the Hungarian dancers pose together after dancing the Hungarian bon voyage dance.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-41.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Upon arriving in Belgium, the group enjoyed a visit to the historic city of Brugges.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-51.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The folk dancers teach a round dance to the public who had been waiting for the opportunity to dance with the Americans.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-6.jpg [/item] [/slideshow]

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CDT and Synthesis end Nauvoo tour with a bang

Shelbi Anderson — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 18:19:19 +0000

Contemporary Dance Theatre and Synthesis had a fantastic second week in Nauvoo. The students kicked the week off with a spirited fireside that they performed not only for missionaries serving in Nauvoo, but also several community members. Then they set off on another whirlwind week, this time traveling to Ft. Madison, Springfield, Fairfield, Carthage and Memphis for a series of fantastic performances. This week gave the student time to explore the historic sites of Nauvoo, and connect the historic legacy of the early saints. One highlight was a trip to Carthage, where the groups were able to fortify their testimonies of Joseph Smith. This held particular significance since this week commemorated the 170th anniversary of the Martyrdom. Throughout the week, as the students performed they were able to fellowship with many members of the communities we performed in. As they closed their time with a testimony meeting in the Seventies Hall, several students shared touching stories about the missionary experiences they had, as well as about how important this touring opportunity was to their personal growth and conversion. Their final performance in Nauvoo was relocated to the Visitors’ Center due to rain; however, as they had the entire tour, the students and their directors rose to the occasion and confined their performances to fit into the limited space. As they greeted people at the conclusion of the performance, there were smiles on everyone’s faces. Truly, the talents and gifts of the performers had been received. As the groups left Nauvoo this morning, there was a twinge of sadness in their hearts. These people, and this place had made them better than before. [slideshow width=”620″ height=”600″ effect=”Fade” pause=”7000″ speed=”600″] [item caption=”The Mayor of Quincy welcomes the groups to town. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Jordan Widdison wows the crowd with an impressive solo. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-1.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Director Ray Smith trains a future big band conductor.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-2.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Vocalist, Mariella Roberts, serenades the crowd”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-4.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Members of CDT explored old Nauvoo in style.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/07/unnamed-5.jpg [/item] [item] [/item] [item] [/item] [/slideshow]

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Collaboration at its finest: Synthesis and CDT tour Nauvoo together

Shelbi Anderson — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:56:12 +0000

Contemporary Dance Theatre and Synthesis departed this morning for Nauvoo, IL. They will spend two weeks performing in Nauvoo and surrounding communities. In addition to performing their own repertoire, they will combine on the dances, “Fling, Flang, Flung,” “Everybody Hurts,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” and several others. Contemporary Dance Theatre ignites audiences with its whirlwind of motion, color, and feeling. Synthesis is BYU’s award-winning instrumental jazz ensemble, recognized as one of the top university bands in the United States. This is the first time these two groups have combined for off-campus concerts. Nauvoo visitors are in for a real treat each evening at 8:30 pm.

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Living Legends wrap up tour in Nauvoo, Illinois

Shelbi Anderson — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:20:50 +0000

The Living Legends’ two week stay in Nauvoo came to an end much too quickly! The students fell in love with the people, the historical sites, and the spirit of this remarkable city. Outreach performances at tiny local theatres in the area and also at a nursing home in Keokuk allowed the students to connect with the audience in a personal level and to make new friends. Audiences in Nauvoo, for the evening performances, were enthusiastic and appreciative of the message of the Seasons show as well as the lively dances and beautiful costumes. In between outreach shows and full performances, the Living Legends enjoyed visiting the sites of Old Nauvoo and attending other performances by the young performing missionaries. As the Living Legends closed their last performance on the outdoor stage beneath a gorgeous full moon with the sparkling Mississippi River on one side and the glowing Nauvoo Temple on the other, each member of the company felt the spirit of Old Nauvoo and would always treasure the memories and friendships they made. [slideshow width=”1000″ height=”664″ effect=”Fade” pause=”7000″ speed=”600″] [item caption=”Living Legends enjoyed some classic jazz music performed by the Nauvoo Brass Band in Old Nauvoo.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-12.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Elizabeth Escobar dances during an outreach in Keokuk.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-9.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Living Legends gathers for a group photo in front of the Nauvoo Temple.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed1.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Josh Meha bonds with senior missionaries at historic sites of Nauvoo.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-7.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Part of the Living Legends gather to take a picture on the road to Carthage.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-8.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Jerad Todacheenie performs for the elderly at a local nursing home.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-10.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Kaisha Alailima greets residents during an outreach visit.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-11.jpg [/item] [/slideshow]

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Living Legends visits Nauvoo

Shelbi Anderson — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 21:53:47 +0000

Following a long day of travel, the Living Legends arrived in Nauvoo at 9 PM on Monday June 2nd and ended their day with an ice cream social at the Nauvoo mission home with President and Sister Gibbons. On Tuesday, after a morning rehearsing their show and spacing dances on both the indoor and outdoor stages, the group visited the historic Nauvoo Temple. Due to violent Midwestern thunderstorms and even threats of tornadoes, the first show moved to the indoor theater in the Visitors Center where the group received a warm reception in spite of the storms outside. The group also enjoyed carriage rides, wagon rides, a handcart trek, visits to the Nauvoo historical sites, and outreach performances in Fairfield, Iowa, and Memphis, Missouri. A high point was the invitation to perform at the Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois. A reverence for the contribution of this magnificent leader is felt in every area of this elegant, inspired museum. There was a beautiful spirit in the large rotunda as the Living Legends shared a message of love and harmony through carefully selected dances from their Native American, Latin American, and Polynesian cultures. The closing number “Go My Son” which emphasizes the importance of family, education, and service seemed especially appropriate in this important venue. The first week ended with a Sunday evening “sociable” or fireside in the Nauvoo Stake Center where the group was privileged to share their testimonies through music and the spoken word to a large audience. As the group strives to be a part of the important work that is being done in this sacred place, they were especially touched by the words of the senior missionary who said, “It’s not just your dance, it’s the spirit that you bring here.” [slideshow width=”620″ height=”300″ effect=”Fade” pause=”7000″ speed=”600″] [item caption=”An outreach performance at the pavillion in Fairfield Iowa-performing “Go My Son.””] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-3.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Members of Living Legends interacting with a senior missionary who was about to take them on a wagon ride. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Members of Living Legends enjoy a wagon ride as they immerse themselves in the history of Nauvoo.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-1.jpg [/item] [item caption=”All of Living Legends gather for a group picture during the handcart trek in Nauvoo.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-2.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The Native American section of Living Legends gathers around the figures of Abe Lincoln’s family after a short performance in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-5.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Jared Todacheenie and Shanoah Ulibarri show the symbol of the world as they finish up the Native American Hoop Dance during an outreach performance in Fairfield, Iowa. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/06/unnamed-6.jpg [/item] [/slideshow]

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Illustrator student opens up about NY internship

Shelbi Anderson — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 16:32:09 +0000

Interview by Nicole Vance of the Department of Visual Arts This month, Andrew Zundel, an Illustrator student and Wheatly scholarship recipient, answered questions about his experiences in New York City. How did you find your your work with Peter de Seve and your weekend work helping at Brooklyn galleries? Honestly it is all about putting yourself out there. Bethanne Andersen asked me in an internship meeting last December who I would like to work with, and when I told her Peter de Seve. We called him right up and asked. As for my work with the gallery, I contacted everyone I knew in New York asking for advice about city living and work experience, and gallery director and non-profit founder Jason Andrew generously offered to mentor me through several projects and events in his art circles. What is it like working for one of your favorite illustrators? Typical days working with Peter are very exciting, enriching and inspiring. There are some simple chores I perform, like organizing artwork and filing it, but that has been very enriching and inspiring on its own. Peter also has me scan in current drawings and characters he is working on, cleaning up the images in photoshop and tweaking some of the levels to punch out the color and contrast, and then get them ready to send to the different studios he is working for. And then I would get to sit down and have lunch with him, picking his brain about obstacles and triumphs that have shaped his career, ideas he has for me to strengthen my work, and just hilarious occurrences that he has come across as a professional. What is it like working in NYC galleries? As for working with Jason Andrew, I have been plunged headlong into the fine art world. On a typical day I sit in one of his galleries, helping people who come in learn about the shows going on, and occasionally selling artwork and catalogs. I was also put in charge of running all of their social media accounts; updating Twitter feeds, Facebook accounts, and their websites; adding new subscribers to their mailing list, and keeping orders and requests organized. I also have been helping in collaboration books between artists and authors. They give me their respective work, images, poetry, or literary works, and I work with them to create layouts for their books. What is your favorite part of living in NYC? Honestly it’s the food. Any delectable flavor, style, ethnicity, or quantity of food you like can be found. And it’s everywhere! Also I love the museums! There are so many, and they are all stuffed full of outrageously awesome stuff. If there is ever a time you feel uninspired, or are in a creative rut, a couple hours in any of the museums here can spark the imagination and fill you with great ideas.

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Young Ambassadors take on Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam

Shelbi Anderson — Wed, 21 May 2014 21:36:39 +0000

The Young Ambassadors started their week off in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This is the first time the Young Ambassadors have ever visited this beautiful country. One of the first things the group was able to do was tour parts of Angkor Wat. Translated, Angkor Wat means “City of Temples” and is considered to be the largest religious monument in the world. That same night, the group met with 400 LDS church members for a devotional. The capital city of Phnom Penh was next. The group had the humbling experience of visiting the Killing Fields Memorial at Cheoung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Tears were shed as the group toured these locations where many people were tortured and killed during the reign of Khmer Rouge. Later in the day, the group had a more uplifting experience with 350 local Young Single Adults. The evening included a mini-performance, a short devotional, a dinner and a dance. A special moment came when the group taught some dance steps from their version of “Man in the Mirror” and then their Cambodian friends took the stage and taught the Young Ambassadors some traditional Cambodian dance steps. In stark contrast to the recent dark history of the Killing Fields, many people are working to improve the quality of life for the people of Cambodia. The Young Ambassadors delivered a wonderful performance that night to benefit one of these organizations-the Tabitha Foundation. The foundation helps people emerge from poverty through personal savings, house building programs, and wells for clean water. The proceeds from this concert will specifically go to help the funding of a Women’s Hospital that will service women all across the country. After a successful tour in Cambodia, the Young Ambassadors moved on to Vietnam. Before their performance at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, the Young Ambassadors did a workshop with members of the YOLA Institute. Crammed in a small room, they sang and danced together. The performance that night was for a full house at the music conservatory and received great feedback from audience members. The Young Ambassadors then flew to Hanoi, their final destination on this trip, for meetings and a devotional with the members. Vietnam included its share of educational opportunites as the group visited the tunnels from the Vietnam War, a trip on the Mekong Delta, and a breathtaking tour of Ha Long Bay – the famous bay where thousands of islands spread across the water. As the group has traveled to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, audience members commonly made the comment that “[they] have never seen anything like this before.” Student director Tanner DeWaal spoke for the entire group when he said, “We are thankful for the opportunity we have had to bring a show about love to these beautiful countries. Although Thailand is commonly referred to as the ‘Land of Smiles’ we believe that Cambodia and Vietnam are ‘Lands of Smiles’ as well. We can’t help but share smiles as we reach out and get to know these wonderful people in Southeast Asia.” For more experiences and pictures from the Young Ambassador’s tour to Southeast Asia, please visit their Facebookpage. [slideshow width=”620″ height=”300″ effect=”Fade” pause=”7000″ speed=”600″] [item caption=”The Young Ambassadors enjoyed the amazing Angkor Wat in Cambodia.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-3.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Everyone took a moment for a pose with church members after a devotional in Siem Reap, Cambodia.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed1.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Performers Bailee & Taylor Morris pose with Janne – Founder of Tabitha Foundation.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-11.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Some audience members linger to meet the Young Ambassadors after the performance in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-21.jpg [/item] [item caption=”Members of the group enjoyed their outing on the Mekong Delta.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-51.jpg [/item] [item caption=”The Young Ambassadors pose with Young Single Adults from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.”] /wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unnamed-6.jpg [/item] [/slideshow]

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Former dean James Mason passes away

Shelbi Anderson — Mon, 19 May 2014 09:40:10 +0000

Instrumental in the creation of the BYU Museum of Art, James A. Mason passed away on May 15, 2014. Mason served as dean of the College of Fine arts and Communications from 1982-1993. During his tenure, Mason oversaw the construction of BYU’s Museum of Art and served as its first director. Additionally, he served on the advisory committee on the construction of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. “Jim Mason was fabulous to work for,” said longtime colleague Susan Kenney. Always a lover of the arts, Mason graduated from BYU with bachelors and masters degrees in music. He then embarked on a 40-year long teaching career at BYU, becoming one of the leading experts in music education. Mason influenced many students throughout his life including Kenney, S. Gordon Jessop and K. Newell Dayley. Details on the funeral services will be forthcoming. For more information on James Mason, click here and here.

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