Meet the Fine Arts Ambassadors

The Fine Arts Ambassadors at the University of Utah is a group College of Fine Arts alumni, now professionals active in the arts community and eager to advance the mission of the College of Fine Arts. Formed in summer of 2020, the FAA seeks to increase representation and advocacy for the University of Utah College of Fine Arts in local and national arts communities, provide mentorship to current students, and connect alumni back to the ongoing work of the College. 

 Jazmin Gallegos (she/her/hers) is the Community Outreach & Studio Coordinator for the Book Arts Program at the J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah where she organizes and facilitates book arts workshops for University of Utah campus students, faculty and staff as well as the broader community. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, her interest in visual arts began at a very young age which led her to obtain a degree in Art Teaching from the University of Utah. She is thrilled to be advocating for art education in schools around Utah and hopes to continue making art including her hand-bound books in her free time. She also enjoys hot yoga, pet-sitting, hiking, kayaking, camping and relaxing with friends and family.

Nick Pedersen received his BFA in Photography from the University of Utah, and his MFA in Digital Arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Nick's work combines his own photography, digital collage, and printmaking techniques to create elaborate, photorealistic images focusing on environmental issues. His artwork has been shown in galleries across the country and internationally, including the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, Paradigm Gallery, Antler Gallery, and UMOCA. He has published two artist books featuring his long-term personal projects Sumeru and Ultima, and his work has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Create Magazine, Juxtapoz, and Hi-Fructose. Many of his images have been recognized with awards from the International Photography Awards, the Future Art Awards, the Adobe Design Achievement Awards, and the Photoshop Guru Award. As an educator he teaches workshops on photomontage and digital collage with Domestika, and has lectured at Pratt Institute, NYU Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Utah. Nick has also completed artist residencies at the Banff Center in Canada, the Gullkistan Creative Residency in Iceland, the Taft-Nicholson Center in Montana, and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art to work on his environmental projects. 

Douglas Wilson earned his BFA from the University of Utah Department of Art & Art History in 2009. Since graduating, Douglas has served in a variety of important roles within creative-based companies, with positions including Art Director, Sales & Marketing Manager, and his current position as Art & Branding Director for University of Utah Athletics. Additionally, Douglas works as a freelance artist and muralist for a variety of local and nationwide brands. These experiences have allowed Douglas to establish an active and successful career. He not only understands the business and financial aspects of art and design, but also possesses expertise in drawing, painting, sculpting, graphic design, apparel design, photography, and videography. 

Kamber Jensen is a Utah based designer, specializing in creating brand identity systems. She graduated from the Univeristy of Utah in 2022 with a BFA in Graphic Design, and has since been working at various design studios both locally and nationally. She is currently working at Salt Lake City based studio, Afton Klein Group and has previously worked at Gretel (NYC) and Stitzlein Studio (San Francisco). She is preparing to attend graduate school next fall to obtain an MFA in graphic design, hoping to further her design practice and develop a system of working that can be translated post-gratuation into both the corporate world as well as the academic world, working as an educator.  

 Lydia Martin, originally from West Palm Beach, FL, graduated from the University of Utah in 2018 with her BFA in Modern Dance and BS in Psychology. After graduating, she worked as a freelance artist and performed in Nu.topia: Tour the Mystery!, as well as Brine’s production “NaCl 18.” She currently works as a Benefits Specialist for Clearlink Technologies, LLC., and is an artist and performer with Fem Dance Company and Oquirrh West Project. With Oquirrh West Project, Lydia also serves as the Community Outreach Director, collaborating with high schools to increase accessibility to the arts. She currently lives in Salt Lake City and is attending the University of South Florida as an MBA candidate with an emphasis in Healthcare Analytics.

 Originally from Boise, Idaho, Michaela Gerard moved to Utah to attend the University of Utah where she graduated with a BFA in Ballet as well as a BS in Psychology. Michaela danced locally with Municipal Ballet Co prior to joining Salt Lake Ballet Cooperative where she takes an active role in helping with daily operations, show planning, as well as performing. She has also explored her interest in early childhood development as a behavior technician and early childhood classroom teacher. Currently, Michaela works for the Utah Food Bank in the Mobile School Pantry program, helping to distribute free groceries to students and families.  Michaela is thrilled to join the Fine Arts Ambassadors and hopes to have the ability to continue learning from and collaborating with so many talented CFA alumni. 

Severin Sargent-Catterton (she/they), of Ellicott City, Maryland, grew up immersed in various western dance techniques before setting sights on modern dance. Studying under Marilyn Byers, Severin practiced Nikolais technique before moving to Salt Lake City to continue her dance studies at the University of Utah. During her completion of her Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts at the School of Dance, Severin performed works by Anouk Van Dijk, Eric Handman, and others. She also performed Outdoors, Noa Zuk and Ohad Fishof, with Repertory Dance Theater during their Fall 2019 season. Post graduation, Severin taught for Johns Hopkins University.  She has performed with sonderIMMERSIVE, Interdisciplinary Arts Collective, Myriad Dance, and Deseret Experimental Opera. Severin continues to create and move for various artists around the Salt Lake Valley. Severin is the current Booking and Touring Manager for Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company; and has worked for the company since 2016.

Beth Kearsley is an emerging editor and assistant editor from Salt Lake City, Utah. She began her career assistant editing on independent feature films after graduating with an HBA in film and media arts from The University of Utah in 2021. She is most interested in working on documentaries involving environmentalism, women, and music. Beth's work includes PLAN C (Sundance 2023), What Comes Around (TIFF 2022), Free Chol Soo Lee (Sundance 2022), and Bitterbrush (Telluride 2021). She is currently a 2023-2024 Sundance Institute Contributing Editor Fellow and a 2022-2023 Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellow.

 During his undergraduate career, Alston Crosby was a part of several campus multimedia production teams including View From The U Productions under Student Media. He earned his BFA in Film & Media Arts in 2021, and since then has been working as a Photojournalist / News Photographer for KSL 5 TV. He also filmed various classes and events around the U for Digital Learning Technologies located in the Faculty Center in the Marriott Library. Aside from these roles, Alston has interned multiple times for the Utah Film Center and has worked on a variety of video shoots including commercials, documentaries, and music videos. His most recent film "Miriam - A Holocaust Survival Story", documenting the life and journey of an elderly Holocaust survivor, was completed in late 2023 and is expected to make its festival debut later this year. His most favorite experience while in school was participating in Study Abroad trips to Italy in 2018 and 2019 with the film department. 

Mitchell Atencio completed his Honors Bachelor of Music degrees in Flute Performance and Instrumental Music Education at the University of Utah in 2019. His primary flute teachers include Lisa Byrnes, Caitlyn Valovick-Moore, and Tiffany Sedgley. He works in the Utah Symphony Music Library during the USUO summer season, previously winning the audition for the library fellowship at the Sarasota Music Festival and working for Utah Festival Opera preparing their materials. He also completed a degree in mathematics through Utah State University during 2021. Mitchell currently plays with the Utah Wind Symphony. He also freelances and plays with orchestras in the Salt Lake City area. During his undergraduate, he played in the top orchestras and bands at the U on both flute and piccolo. Presently, Mitchell teaches instrumental music and music theory at Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, additionally condcuting the pit orchestra for the school’s musical. He serves on the boards for the Canyons Education Association (UEA/NEA); on the Utah Flute Association, coordinating a nationwide competition for Adult Amateur flute players; and is a member of the Utah Music Educators Association (UMEA). He loves working as an educator, performer, librarian, and advocate.

In addition to working in the U's Real Estate Administration office, Justin Morgan is the founder of JM Arts & Management LLC and a freelance double bassist. After graduating from the University of Utah in 2018 with a BM in Double Bass Performance, he furthered his graduate studies at Bard College and The Orchestra Now (TŌN). Prior to his current position at the U, Justin held the roles of Dean and Interim Executive Director at the Gifted Music School, and Principal Bassist for the Bozeman Symphony. In addition to his artistic and administrative activities, Justin also volunteers on a few nonprofit boards, including the Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City and Carmen Inside Out (CIO) Partners. A true artist-administrator, Justin balances a career as a performing musician in addition to his work in nonprofit leadership. His varied experiences span performing at world-renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center; participating in tours across North America, Europe, and Asia; and collaborating with a diverse array of acclaimed artists, composers, and conductors like Tan Dun, Joan Tower, Valery Gergiev, Hans Graf, and many more. As a freelancer, Justin has worked with the Ballet West Orchestra, Helena Symphony, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Utah Chamber Artists, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, the Park City Chamber Music Festival, among many other prestigious ensembles and festivals.

Amanda Moreton Hales holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Bassoon Performance from the University of Utah. She is currently an active freelancer having worked with various orchestras including Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, Ballet West, Orchestra at Temple Square, Sinfonia Salt Lake, and Chicago Civic Orchestra among others. She enjoys teaching privately as well as on faculty at the Gifted Music School. She has participated in multiple music festivals including Aspen Music Festival, Le Domaine Forget, and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Amanda holds a Master’s of Music and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music as well as a Bachelor’s of Music from Brigham Young University in Bassoon Performance. 

Olivia Custodio has built her career in development in the arts sector, holding positions of leadership at Salt Lake Acting Company, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and currently serves as the Director of Major Gifts at the Sphinx Organization. She is deeply committed to social justice work within the arts and the advancement of equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. Olivia holds a BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. On top of her life as a development professional, Olivia is an opera singer, actor, and playwright. She has appeared in numerous productions in the Salt Lake Valley, and most recently was the playwright for Salt Lake Acting Company's 2024 Summer Show: Close Encounters in the Beehive. www.oliviacustodio.com

Merinda Starnes received her BMU in Instrumental Performance (Harp) in 2022, and graduated with the first Music Entrepreneurship Certificate. While at the U she was awarded Outstanding Senior, was an extremely engaged ArtsForce intern with the College of Fine Arts, Event Chair for the Women’s Artistic Leadership Initiative, Marketing and Communications intern for UtahPresents as Kingsbury Hall and sat as the Development Head for the American Harp Society, Utah Chapter. Currently, Merinda is the Program Manager for The Blocks Arts District in SLC, where she supports artists and arts organizations in the downtown area and ensures the arts are alive and thriving. She also teaches private harp lessons and performs as a freelance musician. The College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah provided so many invaluable resources during her time that set her up for success upon graduating. She is thrilled to connect with students and support them as they start their own career in the arts.

Jessica Graham is a theatre artist currently based in Salt Lake City. She is a founding member of Footpath Theatre Co. who aims to create theatre that connects with audiences in ways unique to the medium of live performance, and is particularly interested in exploring relationship to environment. With Footpath, Jessica has traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and put up several award-winning productions at the Great Salt Lake Fringe. Since graduating from the Actor Training Program in 2021, Jessica has lived and worked in San Francisco, Colorado, and Ireland, as a production manager, outdoor adventure guide, and educator (among other roles). She is thrilled to be back in SLC making theatre with pals and spending time in the mountains and desert.

Mary-Helen Pitman, a Chicago-based theatre artist and piano teacher, graduated with a BFA in Theatre from the Actor Training Program in 2019. As a co-founder and administrator of Sandbox Theatre Collective, she works to foster new works and opportunities for early-career theatre artists in a relaxed and playful setting. With experience spanning Utah, Arizona, and Illinois, Mary-Helen spends her time experimenting with friends in all aspects of theatre to discover her unique artistic lens.

Jordan Nelson is a theatre educator at Midvale Elementary School, team lead for Canyons School District elementary theatre and dance teachers, and a Professional Development Partner for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. During the summer, she works with Tanner Dance and Youth Theatre at the U. Jordan was raised in Wyoming in a small town named Glenrock. She loved performing but education was always a close second. She discovered her love for educational theatre at Casper College, then transferred to the University of Utah two years later, earning her BA in the Department of Theatre. For years she served as Executive Director for Casper Children’s Theatre back in Wyoming where she directed thousands of kids in countless musicals. In 2020, she graduated with the first cohort of the University of Utah Master of Teaching - Fine Arts program. While not everyone may be born to be a teacher, she believes sharing your passion with youth is such a strong part of building the next generation of artists. The U has provided her with so many resources and opportunities, and she is happy for her chance to give back to the College of Fine Arts.

Former Ambassadors