Presenter Biographies

Presenter: Mark Borchelt – Keynote Breakout Panel                                                           
Session: I Sing the Brain Creative in Harmony                                                                        
Mark Borchelt (Associate Professor) joined the dance faculty of Utah Valley University, following his tenure as Director of Dance at the Interlochen Arts Academy. After a notable performing career he taught on faculty at the University of Utah from which he also holds a BS Degree in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude) and an MFA in Ballet. During the summer he is a faculty member for the Project Zero Classroom at Harvard University. 

Presenter: Penny Caywood - Elementary Drama                                                                   
Session: First Steps in Teaching the Elementary Drama Core                                               
Penny Caywood is a former BTS drama specialist and is currently the director of the Youth Theatre at the U., which includes a performance series in Kingsbury Hall as well a year-round youth conservatory and extensive summer camp offerings.

Presenter: Cheung Chau - Secondary Music Integration                                                                     
Session: Inspired Design: Music in the Classroom                                                                 
Cheung Chau is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra at Utah Valley University, music director of Bloomington Symphony and Sinfonietta Polonia, guest conductor of Hong Kong Philharmonic, China National Philharmonic, Nordhausen Philharmonic, and educational ensembles including Fulton County Honors Orchestra, Jakarta International Festival Orchestra and Sibelius Academy Orchestra.

Presenter: Christopher Clark - Secondary Drama Focus    
Session: Making Shakespeare Current
Dr. Christopher Clark is currently the theatre department chair at Utah Valley University. In 2011, he directed the Utah Shakespeare Festival's touring production of MacBeth. His productions of She Stoops to Conquer, Nosferatu, and The Tempest were showcased at the Region 8 American College Theatre Festival. This summer, he directed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers for Sundance Summer Theatre and frequently directs for Hale Center Theater in Orem as well as Hale Center Theater in West Valley.

Presenter: Dr. Reed Criddle - Secondary Music Integration                                                    
Session: The Golden Mean and the 50-Minute Choir Rehearsal                                               
Dr. Reed Criddle is Director of Choirs at UVU, where he conducts the Chamber Choir and Masterworks Chorale and teaches voice and conducting.  Dr. Criddle is also artistic director of the Wasatch Chorale, Utah County's premier civic chorus.  He is a graduate of Stanford University, Eastman School of Music, and University of Michigan.  

Presenter: Suzy Cox - Keynote Breakout Panel                                                                          
Session: I Sing the Brain Creative in Harmony                                             
Suzy Cox is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Utah Valley University specializing in Educational Psychology and Technology Integration. Her research and professional interests include learner-centered teaching, differentiation with technology, and educational neuroscience. She has presented at the international Learning & the Brain conference on the use of technology to promote creativity and higher-order thinking and is a passionate advocate for arts programs for children.

Presenter: Monique DeWitt - Elementary Visual Arts Focus
Session I: Dynamic Collaborations in the Visual Arts Classroom
Session II: Brazilian Myths Exhibit Creative in Harmony
Monique was born in South Korea and lived throughout the world with her family. She earned a degree in Art Education from Brigham Young University. Monique fell in love with teaching art at the Elementary School level and has taught for nearly 20 years in Utah Valley. She has received Excellence in Teaching awards from the Alpine School District and recognized as the Utah Art Education teacher of the year. She stages an impressive student art show every spring with her students at Northridge Elementary in Orem.

Presenter: Dr. Daniel Fairbanks - Keynote Breakout Panel                                                   
Session: I Sing the Brain Creative in Harmony                                                                            
Dr. Daniel Fairbanks, Associate Dean of Science and Health at UVU, is an accomplished scientist, artist, author, and teacher.  He is a geneticist with a wide breadth of expertise in evolutionary genetics, international scientific development, science education, and the history of genetics. Having been raised in a family of four generations of artists, Daniel is also a professional artist with commissioned work in sculpture, painting, and drawing on permanent exhibit in museum, public, and private collections in the United States, Europe, and Latin America, and published book illustrations.

Presenter: Dr. Carol Ann Goodson - Keynote Breakout Panel                                                   
Session: I Sing the Brain Creative in Harmony                                                                           
Carol Goodson is a native of Denver Colorado.  Her education includes a BA in Music Education an MM in Choral Conducting, and a PhD in Music Education.  Carol's teaching career brought her the opportunity to work with pre-school children through university adults in public and private schools and universities. Her leadership experiences include Music Co-director of the Southeast Center for Music Education in the Arts, USOE's State Fine Arts Specialist, and Granite District's Music Specialist. 

Presenter: Sara Hacken - Secondary Drama Integration                                                             
 Title: History Recreated: Engaging Students in UT / US History Through Drama                    
Sara Hacken has taught in Alpine School District for 27 years, and this year she is the Teacher of the Year for Alpine District .  She pioneered the Gifted and Talented programs for the district, as well as bringing $3million dollars in grants to Alpine for teachers in the district.  Sara currently teaches English integrated with History in the seventh and eighth grades at Lakeridge Junior High School.  Her classes are filled with engaging activities, historical research and thinking, and good literature.

Presenter: Vessela Ilieva, Ph.D. - Elementary Visual Arts Integration                                  
Session: How Visual Arts Bring Mathematical Ideas To Life: Sharing Space Through Cultural Artifacts                                                                                                                              
Vessela Ilieva, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of education at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Her teaching and research interests include ethnomathematics, equity and social justice in education, mathematics education and student diversity, and internationalization of education. Vessela is passionate about providing opportunities for academic success for all students.

Presenter: Amy Markgraf Jacobson - Elementary Dance Focus & Integration Sessions  
Session I: Moving, Learning, Creating Together
Session II: Creating and Designing Moving Learning Spaces
Amy Markgraf Jacobson is an Assistant Professor of Modern Dance at Utah Valley University.   Amy began her love for moving dancing as a child with BYU’s Young Dancemakers. She holds a B.S. in Dance Education from Utah State University, a MA from Brigham Young University and a MFA from the University of Utah. Amy enjoys working with dancers of all ages.  She participates in dancing, choreographing, teaching, and just trying to keep up with it all.

Presenter: Adeena Lago - Secondary Dance Focus & Integration Sessions                                  
Session I: Questions Without Answers                                                                                       
Session II: Movement Redefined: Dance and Science as Partners in Learning
Adeena Lago is now in her 23rd year of teaching dance full time at Granger HS where she teaches Dance 1 - 3 and directs both the Dance Co. and the Drill Team. She also enjoys being an adjunct instructor at Weber State and currently serves on the board of the UDEO. Mrs. Lago graduated with her dance degree from BYU in 1984 and received her MFA from the U of U in 1991.

Presenter: Holly Markgraf-Mayne - Elementary Dance Focus & Integration Sessions
Session 1: Moving, Learning, Creating Together
Session II: Creating and Designing Moving Learning Spaces
Holly Markgraf Mayne,has enjoyed a teaching and performing career in both music and dance. She has toured and performed in Japan, Thailand, British Isles, and throughout the United States. Holly has performed in lead roles at Sundance Theater, and Sun Valley, Idaho. Her teaching includes BYU’s Children’s Dance Program, private voice, and is currently in her fourth year as a Beverly Taylor Sorensen Dance Artist.

Presenter: Dr. Kate McPherson - Keynote Breakout Panel                                                         
Session: I Sing the Brain Creative in Harmony                                                                            
Dr. Kate McPherson directs UVU’s Honors Program. She teaches Renaissance literature and is Resident Scholar for the Grassroots Shakespeare Company, an original practices troupe begun by two UVU students.  Her Shakespeare class recently completed a second project mentoring incarcerated youth in the study and performance of a Shakespeare play.

Presenter: Eileen Nagle M.Ed. - Elementary Drama Integration                                          
Session: Orbs, Planets, Stars, and Drama: The Creation of Great Plays                                
Eileen Nagle M.Ed., Noorda Theatre Center for Children and Youth’s Program Coordinator, has taught a variety of ages as an educator in home, public, private, charter and university settings. Using drama skills Eileen teaches workshops on how to teach the standard curriculum by having children get up and learn though acting.

Presenter: Dr. Tyler Nelson - Secondary Music Focus                                                           
Session: Understanding Classical Vocal Music                                                                              
Dr. Nelson enjoys performing career consisting of both concert and operatic repertoire.  Recent engagements have included the Beethoven 9th with Saginaw Bay Symphony and the role of Count Almaviva, in Beijing China, under the baton of Maestro Lorin Maazel.  He currently serves as the head of the vocal area at UVU. 

Presenter: Dr. John Newman - Performance Keynote                                                            
Session: Brazilian Myths                                                                                                                        
Dr. John Newman is an assistant professor in the UVU Theatre Department and teachers theatre for young audiences and playwriting.  He also directs UVU’s Noorda Theatre Center for Children and Youth.

Presenter: Alisa Petersen - Elementary Visual Arts Integration                                               
Session: Storytelling Through Light and Shadow                                                                      
Alisa Petersen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. She is an experienced elementary visual art specialist and received the Elementary Educator of the Year Award from the Utah Art Educators Association in 2011. She is now an adjunct instructor of Art Education at Southern Utah University.

Presenter: Barton Poulson, PhD, Secondary Dance Integration                                         
Session: Let the Data Move You: Integrating Digital Technologies in Dance

Barton Poulson, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Behavioral Science Department at Utah Valley University, where he teaches statistics and research methodology. He has conducted empirical research in the arts and has collaborated on several dance and technology performances, including an upcoming piece for Repertory Dance Theatre.

Presenter: Joe Rogan – Elementary Drama Focus
Session: First Steps in Teaching the Elementary Drama Core
Joe Rogan is a BTSALP theatre specialist at Wasatch Elementary, and a working theatre professional, specializing in improvisation, performance poetry, Shakespeare, theatre for young audiences, and multimedia.

Presenter: Lori Santos, Ph. D. – Elementary Visual Arts Integration
Session: Brazilian Myths   Lori Santos, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Art Education, brings contemporary applications of culturally and socially inclusive philosophies of art education to UVU. Her career has spanned 20 years of service in schools and museums across Kansas, Texas, Arizona, New York, Nebraska, and now Utah. Dr. Santos received her Ph. D. in art education from the University of North Texas, with a specialization in Native American art history. She was recently awarded the UAEA Higher Education Educator of the year award.

Presenter: Michael Sammons – Elementary Music Integration                                              
Session: Integrated Languages                                                                                                 
Michael Sammons currently serves on the percussion faculty at the University of Utah. He has appeared as a clinician at conventions including Percussive Arts Society, Florida Music Educators Association, Alabama Music Educators Association and Music Educators National Convention. Sammons continues to act as director and co-founder of the Treasure Coast Percussion Camp held in Vero Beach, Florida since 2005. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and is a contributing author to Percussive Notes.

Presenter: Jana Shumway - Elementary Dance Focus   & Integration                                      
Session I: Moving, Learning, Creating Together                                                                     
Session II: Creating and Designing Moving Learning Spaces                                                     
Jana Shumway received her BA and her MA from Brigham Young University in Dance Education.  She has taught dance at the Waterford School, Brigham Young University, and is currently the dance specialist at William Penn Elementary as part of the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program.

Presenter: Doug Smith – Performance Keynote                                                                        
Session: Brazilian Myths                                                                                                              
Doug Smith is an Assistant Professor and Percussion Coordinator at Utah Valley University.  He completed a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Arizona and served as the Principal Timpanist with the Tucson Symphony for five seasons. Prior to Tucson, he taught at the St Louis Symphony Community Music School. Smith earned the Master of Music at Rice University and Bachelor of Music in Percussion and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Missouri.

Presenter: Meighan Smith - Elementary Drama Focus
Session: First Steps in Teaching the Elementary Drama Core – Elementary Drama
Meighan Smith has served as a drama specialist at Rose Park Elementary School in Salt Lake City and frequently performs with The Children’s Theatre, now in their new home in the Avalon Theatre. 

Presenter: Doris Hudson Trujillo - Performance Keynote                                                          
Session: Brazilian Myths                                                                                                              
Doris Hudson Trujillo, has had a varied career in the arts and education. An accomplished choreographer Hudson Trujillo has presented her works internationally and will be returning to NYC this fall to present her work Journey on the Wave Rising Festival. She served as the Dance Consultant to the Utah State Board of Education and President of the Utah Dance Education Organization. Doris is an Associate Professor of Dance at Utah Valley University.

Presenter: Mary Wells - Elementary Visual Arts Focus                                                           
Session: Engage In A Creative Collaborative Experience: Make A Book  
Mary Wells is a retired classroom teacher.  She currently works as an artist-in-residence with the Utah Arts Council, volunteers with the Treasure Chest of Rare Books program at the J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah and is the Utah consultant for Crayola, Inc.  She is a calligrapher and book artist who exhibits her work throughout the Wasatch front.

Presenter: Carrie Wilson – Secondary Visual Arts Focus
Session: Fostering Creative Artistic Behavior through Structure and Flexibility
Carrie is a visual arts teacher at Orem Jr. High School. She loves being a teacher and an artist. Carrie has been teaching secondary visual arts education for the last ten years in a traditional classroom and prior to that taught outreach/ museum programs for a period of five years at several institutions. She loves trying new things in her classroom and motivating her students to do the same. 

Presenter: Pamela Barrios
Session: Collaborative Arts
Pamela Barrios earned a BA in English from Lehman College. She apprenticed in Book Conservation, Book Art and Fine Binding at the NY Botanical Gardens, and the NY Public Library. She held conservation positions at the Yale University Sterling Library Conservation Lab, the NY Academy of Medicine and for 20 years was rare book conservator at BYU. Her book art has been exhibited widely in the US and abroad. She has taught book art at the University of Utah, was editor of the “BoneFolder”, and has taught workshops on book structure throughout the US. She is currently studying fine art at UVU.