A Brief Collection of Moments
by Vanessa Cook
The 2025 Ariel Bybee Endowment Prize Winner in dance was England-born, Switzerland-based choreographer Vanessa Cook. Her resulting work, A Brief Collection of Moments explored the power of a single voice to inspire collective movement and creation.
Set to original music by composer Dylan Findley, with poetry by Darlene Young, and visual art by Michelle Nixon and Justin Wheatley, the contemporary ballet was a high-caliber collaboration and a poignant reflection on the possibilities and potential of the human spirit.
In partnership with
The new original dance work was produced in partnership with the Utah Metropolitan Ballet and premiered at its dynamic repertory performance Tribute on April 23-24, 2026.
About her experience working with UMB, Vanessa said, “Jacqueline Colledge has been incredibly supportive in this project. I really value [her] presence and her discussion with me to really find out my vision.”
“Partnering with the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts has given UMB unprecedented international exposure,” said Jacqueline Colledge, Artistic Director of the ballet company. “Working with Cook has been a wonderful opportunity for our dancers to experience a type of movement vocabulary that is different from classical ballet.”
Latter-day Saint Artists
in Collaboration
What makes this dance creation especially notable is the breadth of Latter-day Saint artists involved in its creation.
The score, composed by Dylan Findley with lyrics by poet Darlene Young, brings a layered musical and textual dimension to the work. Visual artists Michelle Nixon and Justin Wheatley contribute original artwork to the set design. Writer Isaac Richards adds further depth through an original program essay, offering audiences a thoughtful entry point into the piece.
Together, these collaborators were part of the 2024 cohort of the Artists Residency at the Center—a program designed to foster artistic excellence, interdisciplinary exchange, and lasting creative partnerships.
“A stunning testament to the thrills of interdisciplinary art. Few performances feature as much genuine novelty in such a short amount of time.”
News, Reviews, & Features
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How Do You Choreograph a Life?
The Center’s Studio Podcast S9 E4: Vanessa Cook and Her Ballet Premiere
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KSL.Com
“'The power of one': Utah Metropolitan Ballet debuts new contemporary ballet,” by Cassidy Wixom
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Review
“How to Watch A Brief Collection of Moments” by Isaac Richards
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Lehi Free Press
“Utah Metropolitan Ballet Brings Tribute to Covey Center Stage”
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The Salt Lake Tribune
"Dance troupe joins forces with four LDS artists, exploring where faith meets creativity,” by Dylan Eubank
About the Artist
Ariel Bybee Endowment Winner 2025
Vanessa Cook is a British choreographer, dancer, aerialist and teacher, based in Switzerland.
Born in the UK, Vanessa had an intense classical ballet training before heading to Leeds University to study Philosophy and English Literature. After graduating with a BA Hons, she returned to dance, training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance (UK). Since then, Vanessa has performed with numerous dance and aerial companies including Oeff Oeff, Protein, Motionhouse, Wired Aerial Theatre and the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
Now living in Switzerland, Vanessa established her own dance company in 2016 and since then, has choreographed and toured a number of pieces in Switzerland and abroad.
In addition to making her own work, Vanessa has received choreographic commissions from other Swiss and British companies including Kollektiv F, BewegGrund, Milton Keynes Art Gallery, Creation Theatre, Guildford Shakespeare Company, Talking Birds, National Portrait Gallery and Siobhan Davies Dance. She has also choreographed numerous outreach/educational pieces.
Vanessa Cook Dance creates fresh, surprising dance theatre renowned for being reflective, moving and humorous. The work comments on human interaction at an individual and social level in a way that is inwardly pointing, non-accusatory and characteristically British in its humour.
Acknowledgements
Ariel Bybee Endowment Committee
Neylan McBaine
Patrick Perkins
Jamie Peterson
Donors to the Ariel Bybee Endowment
Utah Metropolitan Ballet
Jacqueline Colledge, Founder and Artistic Director, Utah Metropolitan Ballet
For the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts
Glen Nelson, Director of Special Projects
Mykal Urbina, Executive Director
Veronica Harvey, Director of Marketing and Communications
2025 Ariel Bybee Endowment Prize Jury
Devon Tesucher – Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre
Jacqueline Colledge — Founder and Artistic Director, Utah Metropolitan Ballet
Jan Dijkwel – Artistic Director, Joffrey Ballet School; Founder and Artistic Director, Civic Ballet
Katie Daines Lindsay – Governing Board member, Ballet West
Lisa Hess Jones – Former Soloist, New York City Ballet
Neylan McBaine - Director of Brand and Corporate Marketing, Jump
Rick Robinson – Director for American Leadership Academy