News & Stories
On any given day, School of Music, Theatre & Dance students, faculty, and alumni are performing and directing, designing and producing. They are winning awards and distinguishing themselves in competitions. They are releasing new recordings and publications. They are engaging in innovative research, scholarship, and collaborations. Read about the latest SMTD happenings and get to know members of the SMTD community.
![Students perform in a band on stage, some wearing all-black and others wearing blue hoodies](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Concert-Band-Crescendo-Detroit-and-Detroit-Harmony-Hill-Auditorium-March-17-2024-Photo-credit-Peter-Smith-Photography-1024x683.jpg)
Concert Band Collaborates with Crescendo Detroit and Detroit Harmony in a Joint Concert
![Five people pose standing in the EXCEL Lab](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/EXCELebration-2024-1024x683.jpg)
SMTD’s EXCEL Lab Announces Winners of 2024 EXCEL Prize and Other Awards
![](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/American-Pianist-Award-Finalists-2025-1024x683.jpg)
[In the News] Angie Zhang and Sasha Kasman Laude Named Finalists for 2025 American Pianists Award
![Three people pose and gesture to the Michigan hat in the center, in a city studio space](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Alumni-Updates-cover-Muse-2024-1024x683.jpg)
Alumni Updates – Michigan Muse Winter 2024
![Yoshiko Iwai portrait, wearing a lab coat, outside a brick building](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Yoshiko-Iwai-cover-MuseW24-1014x1024.jpg)
The Roads Less Traveled: SMTD Graduates Thrive in Careers Outside the Performing Arts
![A view towards the Washington Monument with a military ensemble and trumpet soloist in the foreground](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Military-Ensembles-Muse-W24-1024x683.jpg)
A Front-Row Seat to History: Life in a Military Band
![Two adults lead a group of children in exercises outdoors](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Brendan-Ryan-volunteering-with-other-LA-Rams-cheerleaders-Muse-W24-1024x683.jpg)
Orchestrating Change: SMTD Alumni Transform Lives and Enrich Communities through Volunteer Service and Advocacy
![Rob Bisel portrait standing outdoors, wearing black shirt, heavy foliage in background](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rob-Bisel-1024x803.jpg)
[Campus News] SZA, most Grammy-nominated artist of 2024, and the SMTD alum behind the noms
![Headshots of Julian Grabarek and Samuel Kidd](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Grabarek-Kidd-2024-Adler-Fellows-1024x683.jpg)
SMTD Alumni Named 2024 San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows
![Group of 8 poses in front of grand steps to a historic Italian building](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sicily-with-SMTD-students-faculty-and-alumni-1024x769.jpg)
Reflections on a Trip to the Sicily International Piano Festival and Competition
![Three yellow roses laid on a piano](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/In-Memoriam-Muse-Summer23-1024x482.jpg)
In Memoriam – Michigan Muse Summer 2023
![2023 Alumni Awards - ribbon logo](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Alumni-Awards-2023-toc-1024x683.png)