Check out the news from our alumni:
• Michael Burton (M.F.A. 2007), assistant professor of practice in textiles, merchandising and fashion design at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has a short animated film, "Anna," reaching wider audiences by making its way into upcoming film festivals, including The Atlantic Selects and New Media Film Festival in Los Angeles. The film is based on the story of Ann Williams. Williams was known only as “Anna” in abolitionist writings after she jumped from the third-story window of Miller’s Tavern in Washington, D.C. in 1815. Williams was attempting to escape the fate of being sold to another slave owner and separated from her husband and family. Burton is the film's director. He created the film with Nebraska scholars Kwakiutl Dreher and WIlliam Thomas.
• Sebastian Sorensen (B.M. 2017) won top honors in the 2018 Music of America international competition for young performers aged 20-22. He won performing "The Highest Yellow" from Michael John LaChiusa's musical of the same name, which is based on the life of Vincent Van Gogh. The Music of America competition celebrates instrumental and vocal music by North and South American composers.
• Nicholas Spath (B.M.E. 2001; M.M. 2008) was one of 15 Omaha Public School teachers who received the 2018 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Awards. Spath has been with OPS for 15 years, including the last two at Beveridge Middle School.
To submit your alumni news, please send an e-mail to unlarts@unl.edu. Be sure to include your year and degree(s).