
Hosted by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, the residency centers on AI and the work of acclaimed choreographer and Martha Graham Dance Company member Xin Ying, in collaboration with Mimi Yin and NUUM Collective. The event will bring together artists, technologists, legal scholars and industry leaders to examine the ethical, legal, technical and creative implications of AI for the arts.

Kick off the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra season with a program of powerful storytelling and musical depth.

Step into a world where music sparks imagination and storytelling takes shape. The vibrant "Cuentista!" program invites audiences on a journey through colorful landscapes, inviting characters and unforgettable tales - brought to life by the UNCSA Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds under the direction of Mark Norman.

The past and present collide as the School of Dance opens its performance season with a dynamic exploration of movement across generations. Contemporary dancers take center stage to perform works shaped by shared training, mentorship and creative exchange.

Amid the upheaval of civil war in Congo, Pulitzer Prize-winning "Ruined" follows the formidable Mama Nadi, whose bar becomes a haven for women marked by violence, loss and survival. She must skillfully navigate violent power struggles while protecting those who rely on her courage and cunning.

A night of spontaneity, groove and creative risk unfolds as the UNCSA Improvised Music and Jazz Studio presents a smooth showcase of sound. Student performers explore a wide range of jazz and improvised traditions, from structured charts to fully open-ended creation - highlighting individual voice, ensemble listening and real-time musical decision-making.
The School of Dance received an Outstanding School Award at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Regional Semifinals, held with COVID-19 precautions Jan. 22-24 at Reynolds Auditorium. In addition, eight students in the high school program were winners in the senior division and three students in the Preparatory Dance Program were winners in the junior division.
YAGP is the world’s largest international student dance competition. Regional semifinals are held each year in January through March in U.S. cities such as Seattle, Atlanta, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Houston and Boston. Internationally, regional semifinals take place in Paris; Barcelona; Sydney, Australia; and Osaka, Japan; among other locations. Winston-Salem has been a host city since 2018.

Jett Lecamu won second place in classical at the Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals. / Photo: Andrew Bowen Photography
In the senior division, Jett Lecamu of Winston-Salem won second place in the classical dance competition and was in the top six in both the classical and contemporary dance categories, and Julian Pecoraro of Winston-Salem won third place in the classical competition. Both are alumni of the Preparatory Dance Program.
In the junior division, Preparatory Dance student William Gyves of Winston-Salem won first place in classical and second place in contemporary.
Other winners in the senior division include Emma Cilke of Albuquerque, New Mexico, top 12 in classical; Ava Grace Williams of Wilmington, North Carolina, top 12 classical; Riuko Jacobs of Greenville, North Carolina, top 12 classical; Asia Parham of Suffolk, Virginia, top 24 classical; Ida Cancanindin of Fletcher, North Carolina, top 24 classical; and Kiera Holland of Waxhaw, North Carolina, top 24 classical, top 12 contemporary.

Julian Pecoraro won third place in classical at Youth America Grand Prix regional seminfinals. / Photo: Peter Mueller
Other winners in the junior division include Preparatory Dance students Myla Calhoun and Zoe Paris-Carter, both of Winston-Salem, who were named to the top 24 classical.
“This is fantastic representation of the School of Dance,” said Interim Dean of Dance Jared Redick. “We are proud of all the students who excelled at the competition, and we’re honored to be recognized with the Outstanding School Award.
“We’re very grateful to Youth America Grand Prix for creating this COVID-safe competitive opportunity for young dancers throughout the region,” he continued.

William Gyves, a Preparatory Dance student, won first place in classical and second place in contemporary in the junior division of Youth America Grand Prix regional semifinals.
Redick said several UNCSA students who competed at the regional level will be invited to compete in the YAGP Finals, expected in May or June, with location to be announced.
The School of Dance and its students have been recognized at the regional competition since it was established in Winston-Salem. Last year, the UNCSA Preparatory Dance Program, led by nationally recognized dance educator Susan Brooker, received the Outstanding School Award. Lecamu, Gyves, Cilke, Holland and Williams are among previous winners from UNCSA.
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February 25, 2026