Experience a Latter-day Saint Collaboration and World Premiere at Utah Metropolitan Ballet's Tribute

The Center for Latter-day Saint Arts will bring a new commissioned ballet to the stage through its partnership with Utah Metropolitan Ballet that spotlights a remarkable convergence of Latter-day Saint artistic voices — both onstage and behind the scenes.

Presented April 23–24 at the Covey Center for the Arts, Tribute honors four distinguished artists whose work has shaped cultural and spiritual life for Latter-day Saints in Utah and far beyond: glass artist Tom Holdman, sculptor Angela Johnson, songwriter Hilary Weeks, and the late opera singer Ariel Bybee.

At the heart of this year’s performance is the world premiere of A Brief Collection of Moments, a new contemporary ballet by internationally recognized choreographer Vanessa Cook. The work was commissioned through the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts as part of the 2025 Ariel Bybee Endowment Prize.

What makes this premiere 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. 

“As a whole, A Brief Collection of Moments is a stunning testament to the thrills of interdisciplinary art,” writes Richards. “Few performances feature as much genuine novelty in such a short amount of time.” 

Together, these collaborators represent a growing network of artists connected through the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts. Each was part of the 2024 cohort of the Center’s Artists Residency in New York—a program designed to foster artistic excellence, interdisciplinary exchange, and lasting creative partnerships.

This collaboration reflects the Center’s ongoing work to connect and elevate Latter-day Saint artists across disciplines, resulting in new works and a global community of LDS artists. The partnership between Utah Metropolitan Ballet and the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience a performance where choreography, music, visual art, and writing come together through a shared cultural and spiritual lens.

Performances will take place April 23–24 at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo, Utah. Guests can use the code TRIBUTE for 15% off tickets.