The 2026 commencement ceremony for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance was held on Friday, May 1, at Hill Auditorium.
SMTD welcomed alum Carlos Simon (DMA ’17, composition) – Grammy-nominated composer, professor, curator and activist – as the commencement speaker. Watch the recording of Simon’s commencement address:
For more videos from the ceremony, see the SMTD Commencement 2026 Playlist on our YouTube channel.
The exercises included beloved annual traditions, including the prelude, postlude, and processional music, performed by Professor Nicole Keller on the Frieze Memorial Organ. Six graduating Voice & Opera majors performed the National Anthem, followed by a warm welcome from Dean David Gier.
Student Speaker Kristabel Kenta-Bibi
SMTD’s 2026 student speaker was Kristabel Kenta-Bibi (graduating with a BFA in musical theatre). The graduates, guests and viewers also enjoyed performances by the graduation award recipients. This year’s award winners were:
- Earl V. Moore Award: Music
- John Solari (DMA in piano performance; MM in chamber music)
- Angela Bonello (MM in voice performance)
- Earl V. Moore Award: Dance
- Kaitlyn Wilson (BFA in dance)
- Earl V. Moore Award: Theatre & Drama
- Mary-Kate Sunshine Mahaney (BFA in theatre performance: acting)
- Earl V. Moore Award: Musical Theatre
- Lleyton Allen (BFA in musical theatre)
- Willis Patterson Award
- Kiana “KC” Cook (MFA in dance)
- Albert A. Stanley Medal
- Anda Jiang (BM in violin performance)
Photo Gallery
Photos by Robert Coelius
2026 SMTD Graduates: Complete a questionnaire about your post-grad plans to provide helpful data regarding next steps for SMTD grads and improve EXCEL Lab programming to support those steps! Take the First Destination Survey.
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