Dean’s Letter

Photo by Madeline Cass.

As we begin the fall semester, we have returned to in-person instruction at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Last year had been a challenging year spent mostly apart during this global pandemic. We look forward to gathering together in person again to share performances, concerts, exhibitions and all the ways that the arts bring meaning to our communities. We missed our audiences last year and are eager to welcome you back to campus to enjoy the arts in person safely again.

In this issue of our Hixson-Lied College magazine, we introduce plans for our new music building for the Glenn Korff School of Music, scheduled to open in 2025. We are also highlighting the UNL Dance Program in the Glenn Korff School of Music. They recently moved into beautiful new facilities in the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts. We are so grateful to the support of our alumni and friends who understand the value of dance at Nebraska as that program grows and thrives.

We also have an update on the partnership between the Nebraska Repertory Theatre and the St. Louis Black Repertory Company, which will culminate in a special performance this season of Dantrell, Who Kissed the Sea. Finally, we feature a faculty profile of Marques L.A. Garrett, whose research helps elevate the work of black choral composers.

All of these good things would not be possible without your support. In September, I announced that I will be stepping down after nearly a decade as dean of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts on Jan. 3, 2022. I plan to return to my full-time faculty role in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. It’s been an honor and privilege to see the transformations in our academic programs. At 10 years, I feel assured that we are on track to achieve all that we set out to do. I am forever grateful to the faculty, staff, students, university leadership and our community of supporters for the opportunity they gave me to lead this special college. Thank you again for your support.

Chuck O’Connor

Hixson-Lied Endowed Dean twitter: @charlesoconnor

Contents

COVER STORY

6 Dance program takes its next steps 11 Meet the faculty 16 Meet our students 20 Meet our alumni

ADAPTING TO COVID-19

24 Students take watercolor course during three-week session 25 Theatre student designs mobile app to control lighting 26 Carson Center course explores virtual and social worlds 28 Horn studio hosts Zoom masterclasses 29 Oboe student adapts to online DMA recital

FEATURES

4 College announces new music building 30 Looking back and moving forward: Nebraska Rep continues partnership with St. Louis Black Rep 33 Making a bloody connection 34 Student research leads to bike share program graphics 36 Painting strokes build ‘The Human Connection’ 37 The American LOVE Project launches 38 Garrett’s research helps elevate the work of black choral composers 42 What if there was a future planet made of JUNK? 46 May commencement held in person 47 Carson Center dedication events win CASE Award 48 Leggent awarded 2nd place in Young Painters Competition 50 ArtsCast Nebraska podcast launches 51 Williams takes ‘Stay Wild’ community art project to Alliance 60 Laurel Shoemaker focused on students 62 College welcomes new faculty 66 Korff School alum’s music heard on multi-platinum recording artist albums 67 Ceramics alumna Willers is NCECA president-elect 68 Husker alumna Meier honored as Jerome Hill Artist Fellow 70 Music alumna Taylor named one of Billboard’s Top

Music Lawyers for 2021

DEVELOPMENT

53 In memory of Jack Rokahr (1922-2021) 56 Donor List 59 Circle Lists 71 Endowment celebrates 20th anniversary

DEPARTMENTS

2 Dean’s Letter 48 Honors Day 54 In Memoriam 63 Faculty Notes 68 Alumni Notes

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not discriminate based upon any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. Copyright ©2021

FALL 2021

For Alumni and Friends of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Hixson-Lied Endowed Dean

Charles O’Connor

Editor and Writer | Kathe C. Andersen Art Director | Ella Durham Photography | All photos by Eddy Aldana unless otherwise noted.

Cover photo: Thao T. Duong performs my body is a system of memories at Evening of Dance on April 28 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Photo by Eddy Aldana.

Special Thanks

Hixson-Lied Endowment for assistance with the funding of this publication.

How to reach us: Alumni news, story ideas or address changes may be sent in any of the following ways. Via mail: Kathe Andersen, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Magazine, 113 Woods Art Building, Lincoln, NE 68588-0144. Via e-mail: kandersen1@unl.edu.

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