Faculty at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance are highly skilled and dedicated teachers as well as celebrated artists and scholars. Every year, SMTD recognizes several faculty members for the tremendous contributions made by SMTD faculty in areas of teaching, scholarship, mentoring, and service.
Freda Herseth
Freda Herseth, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music in the Department of Voice & Opera, is the recipient of the 2026 Harold Haugh Award for excellence in studio teaching. Named in honor of Haugh, former professor of music and leading oratorio soloist, this award recognizes Herseth’s extraordinary record of student success. In accordance with this award, Herseth will present a special recital or lecture in a future term.
Christianne Myers
Christianne Myers, Claribel Baird Halstead Collegiate Professor of Theatre & Drama, is the recipient of the 2026 SMTD Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding teaching in any SMTD department. Myers is recognized with this prestigious honor for her distinguished record of sustained excellence in teaching and mentoring.
Tiffany Trent
Tiffany Trent, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre & Drama, is the recipient of the 2026 SMTD Award for Faculty Mentorship. This award, established in 2023 to recognize outstanding faculty mentoring in the school, honors faculty mentorship as a critical component of professional service and one of the most important factors in faculty development, success, and retention.
Each of these nominations was endorsed by the SMTD Awards Committee and the Executive Committee. Congratulations to Professor Herseth, Professor Myers, and Professor Trent.