Arts Express Summer Conference

June 9–10, 2026

Hosted by BYU Arts Partnership

Arts Express Summer Conference 2026 is here! This conference provides instruction to integrate the arts across the curriculum to improve student learning. Join us for Many Voices, One Song, focusing on the student experience while providing educators with resources, knowledge, and ideas of effective fine arts instruction, arts-integrated instruction, and critical thinking routines.

Register early for the best selection of our engaging and educational workshops in dance, drama, literary arts, music, media arts, visual arts, cultural arts, and arts integration in science, language arts, math, and social studies!

Select from more than 50 unique and engaging breakout sessions with national and local presenters including sessions by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and local POPS Arts Organizations. All presenters have planned sessions based on Utah's core standards.

Great news! You can receive one of four credit types for attending the conference this year: relicensure hours, USBE credit, CEUs, or Continuing Educaiton credit. Find more information on our conference FAQs page.

Workshops

Select from more than 50 unique and engaging breakout sessions with national and local presenters. All presenters have planned sessions based on Utah's core standards.

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To access your schedule & other conference resources:

Download the Aventri Events app.
Access code: 223924
Login with the email you used to register and your last name (capitalized).

Location

Our conference this year will be held at Vista Heights Middle School.

Find directions and nearby hotel information on our Location page.

Keynote Presenters

Read about all of the national and local presenters coming to Arts Express 2026!

Cost

Registration is $95 before April 1st, then $125 until May 10th, or when we reach capacity. Contact your district arts representative or your principal to ask about financial support that may be available. No refunds after May 10th.

University students can register for only $55!

Credit

There are FOUR credit type options you can receive for attending the conference:

15 relicensure hours
1 USBE Credit
1 CEU from Westminster University
1 Continuing Education Credit from SUU

Find more information on our conference FAQs page.

Presenters

Read about the national and local presenters coming to Arts Express!

Schedule

Read about this year's unique breakout sessions here.

Featured Artists

Save the Great Salt Lake!
Performance by UPHA

Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts combines storytelling with environmental advocacy in a creative effort to restore the Great Salt Lake. This initiative uses art and heritage to inspire action and preserve one of Utah’s most vital ecosystems.

As artistic director and founder of the nonprofit Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts, Clive Romney has devoted years to spotlighting lesser-known stories of Utah and its people. He is a prolific songwriter, producer, and musician with over 500 original songs, 130 albums, movie scores, thousands of arrangements, and over 5,000 performances to his credit. A multi-instrument performer and entertainer, Clive knows the importance and the power of music to elevate stories to touch our emotions.

Meadowlark String Band Storytellers

The Meadowlark String Band Storytellers weave words, warble song, and delight creatures of all ages with their stories and music. Bringing together their collective experiences as performers and life enthusiasts, Melissa Chilinski and Roz Newmark thoroughly enjoy sharing the marvel of spinning yarns. Melissa has been an active musician for a decade, impressing audiences with her abilities on guitar, banjo, and vocals. For over twenty years, Roz performed as a storyteller with Ripple Tales, a duo who blended story, movement, song, and audience participation. Now, building a new tradition, the Meadowlark String Band Storytellers lay down the bread crumbs that can lead you back to your childlike wonder of life. If you’re afraid a smile might crack your face, it is strongly advised that you do not venture into their world of melodies and magic.

BYU Jazz Trio

Enjoy live jazz at Arts Express! BYU's own Jacob Ward, Simon McBride, and Samuel Handley bring their dynamic trio to the stage with rich harmonies and musical storytelling. We hope you enjoy this lively music during your lunch!

Christy Morrell Tyger

Christy is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and drummer from Cache Valley, UT. Her music include covers and originals with a range of genres such as Jazz, Soul, Pop, Rock, and more. Christy's first single, My Dad, was released last Father's Day, with more original music to come next year. You can find and follow her on Spotify.

BYU Vocalists

Get ready for a showstopping morning at Arts Express as BYU's own Dan van Ormer and Noah Hurley take the stage with Broadway favorites! These two talented vocalists bring the magic of the musical theatre stage to life, delivering the beloved songs and melodies that have captivated audiences for generations. With powerful voices and undeniable stage presence, Dan and Noah are sure to have you humming all throughout the day.

Opera by Children: The Great Rainforest Rescue

This year, we are pleased to enjoy an Opera by Children (OBC) performance: "The Great Rainforest Rescue" by Jean Sesera's 3rd Grade Class from Indian Hills Elementary. OBC is a Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre program for arts education. Its purpose is to enable young people to grow by encouraging and affirming the natural creativity that exists within each one. Ms. Sesera's class worked side by side with professional arts mentors in the creation of this original opera.