Sarah Penrose performs on the Charles Baird Carillon, an instrument of 53 bronze bells located inside the Burton Memorial Tower. The largest bell, which strikes the hour, weighs 12 tons, while the smallest bell, 4½ octaves above, weighs just 15 pounds.

Sarah Penrose performs on the Charles Baird Carillon, an instrument of 53 bronze bells located inside the Burton Memorial Tower. The largest bell, which strikes the hour, weighs 12 tons, while the smallest bell, 4½ octaves above, weighs just 15 pounds.

The SMTD Commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at Hill Auditorium. The event will be livestreamed. Tickets *ARE REQUIRED* for the SMTD Commencement ceremony at Hill Auditorium. The SMTD ceremony is not open to the public; it is only open to graduating students, their family and registered guests, and students/ faculty/ staff from SMTD. Tickets will be required for entry to Hill Auditorium for anyone over the age of two. Seating accommodations are available for guests with wheelchairs or those unable to use stairs. Closed captioning will also be present on stage throughout the ceremony. Doors will open to guests *one* hour prior to the start of the ceremony.

The SMTD Commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at Hill Auditorium. The event will be livestreamed. Tickets *ARE REQUIRED* for the SMTD Commencement ceremony at Hill Auditorium. The SMTD ceremony is not open to the public; it is only open to graduating students, their family and registered guests, and students/ faculty/ staff from SMTD. Tickets will be required for entry to Hill Auditorium for anyone over the age of two. Seating accommodations are available for guests with wheelchairs or those unable to use stairs. Closed captioning will also be present on stage throughout the ceremony. Doors will open to guests *one* hour prior to the start of the ceremony.

Under the supervision of Jillian Hopper and Kara Roseborough, students graduating with the BFA in Dance perform self-choreographed solo and ensemble works ahead of their upcoming showcase in New York City.

Under the supervision of Jillian Hopper and Kara Roseborough, students graduating with the BFA in Dance perform self-choreographed solo and ensemble works ahead of their upcoming showcase in New York City.

The annual Musical Theatre Senior Showcase is an unforgettable revue of performances by the graduating class of the Department of Musical Theatre. *Not available as part of the Flex Series package. Student tickets are not available for this performance.* Recommended Ages: 8+ *Buying Tickets Single tickets available beginning August 4.*

The annual Musical Theatre Senior Showcase is an unforgettable revue of performances by the graduating class of the Department of Musical Theatre. *Not available as part of the Flex Series package. Student tickets are not available for this performance.* Recommended Ages: 8+ *Buying Tickets Single tickets available beginning August 4.*

Senior undergraduate student Meghan Wysocki performs on the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Carillon, an instrument of 60 bells with the lowest bell (bourdon) weighing 6 tons.

Senior undergraduate student Meghan Wysocki performs on the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Carillon, an instrument of 60 bells with the lowest bell (bourdon) weighing 6 tons.

DMA candidate Taeyoon Ahn performs a dissertation recital.

DMA candidate Taeyoon Ahn performs a dissertation recital.

The annual Musical Theatre Senior Showcase is an unforgettable revue of performances by the graduating class of the Department of Musical Theatre. *Not available as part of the Flex Series package. Student tickets are not available for this performance.* Recommended Ages: 8+ *Buying Tickets Single tickets available beginning August 4.*

The annual Musical Theatre Senior Showcase is an unforgettable revue of performances by the graduating class of the Department of Musical Theatre. *Not available as part of the Flex Series package. Student tickets are not available for this performance.* Recommended Ages: 8+ *Buying Tickets Single tickets available beginning August 4.*

Join Dr. Gustavo Souza Marques (Gusmão), Assistant Professor of Musicology, for a talk at the Ann Arbor District Library on his recently released book, *Tyler, The Creator’s Hip Hop Revolution: Transmedia Journeys Beyond Gangsta*, published in Bloomsbury’s New Approaches to Sound, Music and Media series. Focusing on Tyler – one of the most inventive artists in the history of hip hop – the book approaches his musical work through the lenses of history, identity and audio-visual analysis. This talk is part of the Society for American Music’s *Sounding the Nation* series, a national project covering the history of American music. This event includes a signing with books for sale.

Join Dr. Gustavo Souza Marques (Gusmão), Assistant Professor of Musicology, for a talk at the Ann Arbor District Library on his recently released book, *Tyler, The Creator’s Hip Hop Revolution: Transmedia Journeys Beyond Gangsta*, published in Bloomsbury’s New Approaches to Sound, Music and Media series. Focusing on Tyler – one of the most inventive artists in the history of hip hop – the book approaches his musical work through the lenses of history, identity and audio-visual analysis. This talk is part of the Society for American Music’s *Sounding the Nation* series, a national project covering the history of American music. This event includes a signing with books for sale.

*The Women Who Move Us* builds on the success of *Women Defining Themselves* (May 2024), continuing a powerful exploration of how movement and music illuminate the stories that shape us. This evening’s performance honors the inspiring women who have carried us, guided us, and left lasting impressions on our lives, including mothers, mentors, daughters, and friends. Through original choreography and soulful music, we celebrate the resilience, wisdom, and beauty of these women while deepening our understanding of the arts’ capacity to heal, connect, and inspire across generations. Reception to follow. All proceeds from the evening will support the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine, advancing research for neurodegenerative diseases. About Dance/Wellness faculty member Amy West’s mission: ~This project is grounded in lived experience. For seven years, my husband and I, along with help from caregivers, cared for my mother-in-law in our home as she slowly succumbed to dementia. Walking beside her during this time profoundly shaped my understanding of health, caregiving, and resilience, and reinforced the importance of connection across all stages of life. *The Women Who Move Us* is both a tribute to her memory and a collective gesture of love and advocacy for all families and caregivers navigating memory loss. It also reflects my commitment to honoring the legacies of the women who came before us while supporting the health and well-being of those who carry them forward. The project will extend its reach through collaboration with the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine, linking the performing arts with medical research and care. By bringing together performance and science, this partnership reflects the shared humanity at the core of both disciplines: the desire to honor, heal, and sustain life.~ Donate to the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine:

*The Women Who Move Us* builds on the success of *Women Defining Themselves* (May 2024), continuing a powerful exploration of how movement and music illuminate the stories that shape us. This evening’s performance honors the inspiring women who have carried us, guided us, and left lasting impressions on our lives, including mothers, mentors, daughters, and friends. Through original choreography and soulful music, we celebrate the resilience, wisdom, and beauty of these women while deepening our understanding of the arts’ capacity to heal, connect, and inspire across generations. Reception to follow. All proceeds from the evening will support the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine, advancing research for neurodegenerative diseases. About Dance/Wellness faculty member Amy West’s mission: \"This project is grounded in lived experience. For seven years, my husband and I, along with help from caregivers, cared for my mother-in-law in our home as she slowly succumbed to dementia. Walking beside her during this time profoundly shaped my understanding of health, caregiving, and resilience, and reinforced the importance of connection across all stages of life. *The Women Who Move Us* is both a tribute to her memory and a collective gesture of love and advocacy for all families and caregivers navigating memory loss. It also reflects my commitment to honoring the legacies of the women who came before us while supporting the health and well-being of those who carry them forward. The project will extend its reach through collaboration with the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine, linking the performing arts with medical research and care. By bringing together performance and science, this partnership reflects the shared humanity at the core of both disciplines: the desire to honor, heal, and sustain life.\" Donate to the Scott Pranger ALS Center at Michigan Medicine:

Hosted by Dr. Louise Toppin (University of Michigan), featuring performances and guest speakers. The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to competitors of all ethnicities. The competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley. We award over $48,000 in scholarships across 5 divisions.

Guest clinician Dr. Gregory Broughton (University of Georgia) presents a master class featuring vocalists singing African American art song. *Presented with support from the Harry T. Burleigh Legacy Foundation.* Free and open to the public.

Guest clinician Robert Sims presents an interactive Master Class that explores the history and performance practice of spirituals featuring competitors in all divisions. This class includes audience participation and is for anyone interested in the art of singing spirituals. Free and open to the public.

Guest clinician Karen Slack presents a master class featuring pre-professional competitors singing African American art song. Free and open to the public. ABOUT THE GUEST ARTIST Known for performances that “ripped the audience’s hearts out” (*Opera News*), KAREN SLACK is “not only one of the nation’s most celebrated sopranos, but a leading voice in changing-making spaces in classical music” (*Trilloquy*). A recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Slack is an Artistic Advisor for Portland Opera, serves on the board of the American Composers Orchestra and Astral Artists, and holds a faculty position at the Banff Centre.

Guest clinician Dr. Lenora Green Turner (University of Arkansas) presents a master class featuring collegiate and pre-professional competitors singing African American art song. Free and open to the public.

Join us for a master class featuring collegiate and pre-professional division competitors singing African American art song. Presented by tenor George Shirley, the Joseph Edgar Maddy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor of Voice, and Professor of Voice Louise Toppin, director of the George Shirley Vocal Competition. Free and open to the public.

Enjoy performances featuring the winners of this year~s competition, with a reception to follow. The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to competitors of all ethnicities. We award over $48,000 in scholarships across 5 divisions.

The 2026 George Shirley Competition Placement and Special Prize Award Ceremony begins at 6:45 pm. All participants are considered for special prizes, regardless of their final place in the competition. The George Shirley Vocal and Composer Competition focuses entirely on African American Vocal Repertoire and is open to competitors of all ethnicities. The competition offers singers and composers the opportunity to work with and receive feedback from world-renowned judges, including George Shirley. We award over $48,000 in scholarships across 5 divisions.

Ethan Edwards, graduate student in Jazz & Contemporary Improvisation, performs a master~s degree recital.