21st Century Performing Artists: The Multifaceted Careers of SMTD Alumni
View from the Pond
Helping to Reinvent the Musical Theatre Canon | Department of Voice Becomes Department of Voice & Opera | George Shirley Celebrates His 90th Birthday as His Namesake Vocal Competition Moves to SMTD | Q&A with Mica Harrison Loosemore | SMTD Community Well Represented in Grammy and Oscar Nominations
Bringing Ideas to Life at the EXCEL Lab: An Interview with Jonathan Kuuskoski
A Front-Row Seat to History: Life in a Military Band
Orchestrating Change: SMTD Alumni Transform Lives and Enrich Communities through Volunteer Service and Advocacy
The Roads Less Traveled: SMTD Graduates Thrive in Careers Outside the Performing Arts
SMTD Community Updates
Dean’s Reflection
Dean Gier reflects on the many extraordinary opportunities students have at SMTD. These opportunities, coupled with training and mentorship from the faculty and the unending support students offer each other, help prepare SMTD students for whatever the future holds.
In Memoriam
Ellen Labes (1933-2023) | Jerald C. Schwiebert (1951-2023) | Chris Peluso (1983-2023) | SMTD Graduates of the 1940s-2000s
Giving Update
SMTD acknowledges and gives thanks for recent major gifts and pledges in the areas of student support, program support, capital needs, and planned gifts. Nathan Goldberg (BFA ’24, acting; playwriting minor) offers a message of thanks for scholarship support at Michigan.
About Michigan Muse
David Gier, Dean and Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music
Christi-Anne Castro, Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Mark Clague, Associate Dean for Partnerships
Jason Corey, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Kate Fitzpatrick, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Mica Harrison Loosemore, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Management
Ericka Bigelow, Chief Advancement Officer
Eli Salembier, Director of Finance & Operations
DeeDee Ulintz, Director of Academic & Student Affairs
Jordan B. Acker, Michael J. Behm, Mark J. Bernstein, Paul W. Brown, Sarah Hubbard, Denise Ilitch, Ron Weiser, Katherine E. White, Santa J. Ono, ex officio
A Non-discriminatory, Affirmative Action Employer.
Beth Miller, Director of Marketing & Communications
[email protected]
Judy Galens, Editor
[email protected]
Brandon Monzon, Assistant Editor
[email protected]
Rachel Salazar, Graphic Designer
[email protected]
Tracy Payovich, Digital Content Specialist
[email protected]
Chris Boyes, Photographer
[email protected]
About the front cover image
Gloria Sitsope Ahlijah (MFA ’24, dance) in the Perry Kasper Granoff Studio, January 2023. Photo credit: Chris Boyes
About the back cover image
Jason Cianciulli (MFA ’25, dance) in the Perry Kasper Granoff Studio, January 2023. Photo credit: Chris Boyes