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.
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[In the News] Kenneth Kiesler Named a 2024 Winner of The American Prize National Arts Award
![Singers seated in a row rehearse together using sheet music on stands](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Chamber-Choir-rehearsal-for-tour-June-2024-1024x683.jpg)
[Video] Chamber Choir Prepares for Performances at the Kennedy Center and in Buenos Aires, Argentina
![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
![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
![](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Vixen-NOA-featured-1024x1024.jpg)
SMTD’s Production of “The Cunning Little Vixen” Earns Top Honors from the National Opera Association
![Ensemble in rehearsal with the Director and guest soloist standing](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CDE-with-Shara-Nova-Rehearsal-1024x576.jpg)
[Video] Contemporary Directions Ensemble joins with Guest Artist Shara Nova for “The Blue Hour”
![A costumed cast performs an opera on stage](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/james-p-johnson-blues-opera-de-organizer-1024x657.jpeg)
[In the News] First Recording of Lost James P. Johnson Blues Opera ‘De Organizer,’ Libretto by Langston Hughes
![Three men smile in front of a colorful mural on a building marked "School of Performing Arts - University of Ghana"](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Dordzro-Frey-Pasquale-University-of-Ghana-1024x768.jpg)
A Transformative Residency in Ghana: An Interview with John Pasquale and Richard Frey
![Ten students standing, on chairs, and on the floor in various poses in a classroom](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/improv-games-Theatre-and-Incarceration-class-1024x768.jpg)
Performing Arts That Soothe the Soul: SMTD and the Prison Creative Arts Program
![2023 Awardees - Anti-Racism Research Grants - A grid of portraits](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-Anti-Racism-Graduate-Grantees.jpeg)
[Campus News] Two SMTD Students among 31 Recipients of Anti-Racism Graduate Research Grants
![Jason Fettig](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Jason-Fettig-1024x768.jpg)
Jason Fettig Named Director of Bands
![Vincent Gardner poses with his trombone](https://smtd.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Vincent-Gardner.jpg)