By Sydney Hawkins
When Nkeki Obi-Melekwe (MT ’18) was a young girl growing up in the Bronx, she remembers many of Tina Turner’s songs playing in the background of her Saturday and Sunday mornings.
By the time Obi-Melekwe heard those hits coming from her father’s stereo, some of them would be more than 40 years old—which is why many found it hard to believe she could step into the title role for “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” last spring at just 22 years young.
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 their excellence and contributions to the school. Catherine Walker,...
Gustavo Souza Marques (also known by his stage name Gusmão), assistant professor in the Department of Musicology, has released a new instrumental hip hop album, Urso Futurismo (2025), which is available now on his YouTube channel. The album includes collaborations...
Acclaimed composer, lyricist, book writer, performer, and producer Andrew Lippa (BM ’87, voice, music education) will be the commencement speaker at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance commencement ceremony on Friday, May 2, 2025. Commencement will take place at...
At the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD), well-being, especially mental health, is a high priority. Since 2018, the Eisenberg Family Depression Center, the SMTD Wellness Program, and the EXCEL Lab have partnered up to fund the SMTD...
