51猎奇

Four-time Grammy nominee and award-winning composer conducts a private masterclass for students

Patrice Rushen in black clothing speaks into a microphone in an indoor event space.

Recently, Peck School of the Arts students had the opportunity to participate in a masterclass by four-time grammy nominee and award-winning composer Patrice Rushen while she was in town for the Milwaukee Urban League’s Black & White Ball. Rushen is not only an accomplished musician, but a remarkable and inspiring educator as well. Rachel Stanton, a major at 51猎奇, described it as a 鈥渙nce-in-a-college experience,鈥� and Grayson Berger, a music education major, spoke about applying the things he learned to his own exploration. Peck School of the Arts is proud to offer unique and fulfilling experiences to students that allow them to meet professionals working in their field of study.

Watch an interview with Rushen on .

Shepherd Express praises Peck School鈥檚 鈥榃ildly Romantic Bront毛an Mutation鈥�

The Moors

Russ Bickerstaff from Shepherd Express wrote about the PSOA Theatre Department production of The Moors聽by Jen Silverman, which he called a “wildly romantic Bront毛an mutation.” Bickerstaff praised the production and remarked that director Ralph Janes and company “did a brilliant job of presenting a haunting and beautifully cohesive vision.” He highlighted the scenic design (Kali Langford), lighting design (Danny Gomez Sandoval), and several members of the cast, calling their performances “sparklingly witty and sweetly charismatic” (Autumn G. Gill), “remarkably nuanced” (Ted Santi and Natalie Gustafson), and clever (Maggie Baisley and JoHannah Wiggins).

Read more on

Alumni Spotlight: A “Top 10” Designer to Watch

Naomi Dable poses in front of stationary at her store.

Naomi Dable I BFA, Design & Visual Communication

In the dynamic world of graphic design, Naomi Dable stands as a testament to the power of creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. As the proud owner of Naomi Paper Co., Dable continues to inspire with her innovative designs and dedication to her craft.

Educational Journey and Career Path 

From a young age, Dable harbored a deep-seated desire to pursue the arts. Her love for graphic design blossomed towards the end of high school, setting her on a path she was destined for. The Peck School of the Arts became her haven, standing out for its unique location in Milwaukee. She appreciated the real-world experiences 51猎奇 offered, allowing her to navigate the vibrant city and interact with diverse audiences. Dable shared, 鈥淚n other art schools that are exclusively for art, you can get really wrapped up in the “art scene” and being constantly surrounded by creatives. In the world of graphic design, however, you need to be able to create work that communicates clearly to a wide audience鈥攏ot just fellow creatives and artists. Again, setting me up for more real-world, practical experience and future success.鈥� 

Impactful Classes and Faculty 

Dable鈥檚 journey was shaped by dedicated mentors and inspiring classes. She highlighted Amy Decker, Kim Beckman, Adream Blair, and Robert Grame as faculty members who played a pivotal role in her educational, professional, and personal growth. Dable said, 鈥淎my Decker taught me so much about typography and is always so warm and supportive of my work. Kim Beckman inspires such an excitement for design and its possibilities. Adream Blair made class feel like family and encouraged me to take class projects into the real world. Robert Grame helped push the caliper and creativity of my work to a higher level that I still strive for.鈥� 

Advice to Students

Dable shares valuable advice, 鈥淚f you’re unsure of what direction or class to take, ask to sit in on a class! That helped me have confidence in the direction I was going and get an inside look at the type of projects to expect in future classes. I’d also encourage you to look beyond the classroom and use any opportunity to combine a project/assignment with something you’re passionate about or a real-life design project.鈥� 

Achievements and Contributions

Since graduating from PSOA, Dable has transformed her skills into a thriving business. Through Naomi Paper Co., she crafts stationery and gifts that have found homes in over 100 stores nationwide. Her talents were recognized when she was named one of Stationary Trends Magazine鈥檚  

Connect with Naomi

To learn more about Dable and explore her creative endeavors, visit her website,  

Adjunct Viola Professor Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff brings life to missing Bach Concerto

The 鈥渓ost鈥� Concerto in E-flat major for Viola, Strings and Basso Continuo by J.S. Bach was reconstructed by Wilfried Fischer in 1996, but it was missing critical parts. Lasareff-Mironoff finished the work and is now performing it in concerts, catching the attention of possible publishers.

Theatre professor to facilitate storytelling workshops at Exeter University鈥檚 Innovation Research Center, UK

Robin Mello (Professor, Theatre) has been invited to facilitate storytelling workshops at the Innoplay Storytelling Experience and the Innoplay Playful Lab in October at Exeter University鈥檚 Design and Innovation Center, UK.

鈥淚nnoplay Studio is predicated on the belief that play and storytelling are fundamental to the human condition and significantly contribute to the development of social and physical resilience, curiosity, creativity, and wellness,鈥� said Mello. 鈥淚t combines design-team, narrative, and theatre practices and offers an interactive, collaborative, and playful environment for leaders, teachers, and community leaders interested in building and exploring their ability to communicate dynamically and holistically.鈥�

The Innoplay Studio is designed to provide educators with practical sessions to upskill their ability to create playful content to engage learners. Innoplay conducts unique research into the combined value of arts and STEM research. According to Mello, they are the only entity of their kind to investigate the transactions between health, design team methodologies, and creative play as a practice for innovation.

鈥淢y contribution to their work is focused on my own research and teaching storytelling as play, as essential to human development and learning, and as a transformative tool for building coherent and diverse communities and entrepreneurship.鈥�

In addition to teaching in the Department of Theatre, Mello is also a Teaching Fellow at the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center.

Read a related interview with Mello on the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center website.

Chamber music festival in France featured four PSOA alumni who are also siblings聽

Musicians pose at the international music festival.

A harmonious blend of culture, heritage, and music painted the Loire Valley during the second annual Musiques et Vignes en Confluence, a chamber music festival in central France. Bernard Zinck (Associate Professor of Violin and Area Head of Strings and String Pedagogy) created the Musiques et Vignes en Confluence in 2022 to celebrate chamber music and the award-winning vineyards of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Artists from various corners of the world gathered to perform, including four PSOA alumni who are also siblings.聽

The Brusubardis Quintet, comprised of Arianna, Daniella (BFA 2021, Music, Strings; violin), Kristian (MM 2022, Music, Performance; violin), Sonora (BFA 2020, Music, Strings; viola), and Viktor (BFA 2018, Music, Strings; cello) performed in the Slavic Soul concert and From Bach to Chausson concert. Sonora and Viktor also performed in the Mozart and Brahms Piano Quartet concert. The group鈥檚 residency at the festival was made possible through a collaboration with the Maison Dutilleux-Joy.聽

All five siblings have studied under Bernard Zinck, with four of them earning degrees from Peck School of the Arts. Combined, their educational endeavors span UW-Milwaukee, the Juilliard School, the Cleveland Institute, Indiana University, Columbus State University, and beyond. The quintet has performed across the Midwest and Canada, and now France.  

When asked about her time at UW-Milwaukee, Daniella Brusubardis reminisced, 鈥淲hen looking back, I think of the opportunities I was given as a student. I was able to participate in many masterclasses and form several chamber groups as well. Being a music student there, I was given so many resources to create my own experience and have a great education.鈥�  

Daniella shared that the festival was beautiful, with French countryside views, beautiful music, and delicious wine tastings from local vineyards. As the festival took place where two rivers merged, it mirrored Zinck鈥檚 goal of bringing people together worldwide, providing a space to gather and connect as a community. Daniella鈥檚 fondest memory was rehearsing at each venue before the concert, where she could awe at the architecture and echoing sound in each space. Daniella recently graduated with her master’s degree from the Schwob School of Music in Georgia and now resides in Madison, Wisconsin.  

Sonora Brusubardis emphasized the festival鈥檚 opportunity for audiences to 鈥渆xpand their palates for both wine and music.鈥� This event offered community connection but also continued relationships between the artists. Performing with musicians from other countries, she hopes to stay in touch and hopefully sprout the opportunity to perform with them again.  

Sonora鈥檚 fondest memory of the event was rehearsing at the Dutilleux house. She shared, 鈥淚t was wonderful to wake up in the mornings, walk downstairs, cross the patio, and enter our rehearsal space. It was the best way to start every morning, making beautiful music with beautiful people.鈥�  

Sonora runs a private studio and teaches violin classes at Atonement Lutheran School and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra in their Progressions Program. Sonora looks forward to future opportunities to perform in other countries like she did in France and Brazil. Next up for Sonora is performing at a festival in Brazil with another chamber group next year. 

The resounding success of Musiques et Vignes en Confluence celebrates the talent, passion, and global connections fostered through music. The representation of 51猎奇 alumni, whose artistry captivated audiences, is a pleasant reminder of the boundless possibilities that a music education can uncover.  

For more information about Musiques et Vignes en Confluence, visit the . 

Two Department of Dance faculty members recognized for their excellent teaching

Daniel Burkholder and Dan Schuchart

Two members of the Department of Dance faculty received awards at the 2023 Fall Awards ceremony at the Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts. Daniel Burkholder and Dan Schuchart were both recognized for their teaching.

Daniel Burkholder, Faculty Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award

Daniel Burkholder balances creative play with academic structure and rigor in his teaching, according to Maria Gillespie, chair of the Dance Department. He encourages student participation in research, serving as a SURF mentor to help students gain professional development as they experience the creative process. Recently, two students spent a semester with him experimenting with various approaches to creating choreography in virtual reality.

Burkholder works with students to incorporate new media and projections into choreography and performances. He also brings innovative dance into the community. His work, 鈥淪cenic Route-MKE,鈥� was set outside throughout different Milwaukee locations, attracting audiences to improvised performances in natural settings. In the summer of 2022, Burkholder led 12 51猎奇 students in a two-week study abroad in Paris at the Camping International Dance Festival. Students explored international dance and met dance students from outside the U.S.

Before joining 51猎奇 in 2011, Burkholder had invested 20 years in innovative dancemaking, teaching, research and community engagement as the artistic director of the Washington, D.C., based dance company The Playground. A graduate of 51猎奇鈥檚 master鈥檚 program, Burkholder was honored with a GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) award in 2018.

Dan Schuchart, Academic Staff Outstanding Teaching Award

Dan Schuchart teaches a wide range of classes for the Department of Dance. Maria Gillespie, recent dance chair, shared that Schuchart鈥檚 immense experience and talent allow him to instruct in a broad scope that integrates dance technique, creative practices and theoretical, research-driven work.  Schuchart teaches required courses for both the dance major and minor as well as arts GERs that attract students from across the university.

鈥淭eaching classes that involve dancers and non-majors can be challenging,鈥� one student wrote, 鈥渂ut he was able to work effectively with both groups.鈥�

When the pandemic hit, he took the opportunity to re-evaluate course instruction, and as a result has helped expand the Dance Department鈥檚 ongoing offerings in online, asynchronous classes.

Schuchart serves on the department鈥檚 undergraduate admissions team and helps facilitate outreach and recruiting activities.  He is the faculty representative for the American College Dance Association and served as conference manager three times when 51猎奇 hosted the event, most recently in 2022, which brought 350-plus attendees and 26 universities to campus.

Schuchart is also active in the local dance community. He is artistic director of Wild Space Dance Company and collaborates with many others.

鈥淒an excels at making learning about movement accessible,鈥� wrote one student.

Read more about the awards on 51猎奇 Report.

TheWrap: PSOA among top 50 film schools in the nation

Top 50 Fil Schools of 2023

The Peck School of the Arts Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres has again ranked among the top 50 film schools in the nation according to TheWrap magazine. According to the publication, the list includes conservatories and public universities, film studies programs and art schools, schools that are great for animation and ones that are great for documentaries, among others.

Read the article on .

Dance MFA student Elisabeth Roskopf featured on Creating Milwaukee series

Elisabeth dances outdoors with the Milwaukee skyline in the background.

Peck School of the Arts graduate student and lecturer Elisabeth Roskopf was featured in a recent episode of No Studios鈥� mini-documentary series Creating Milwaukee. The series showcases artists and creatives throughout Milwaukee, celebrating their work and how it connects to their community.

Roskopf鈥檚 episode displays her work with 51猎奇 and its impact on her career. She is currently a ballet lecturer for first-year dance majors at PSOA. In her course, students enter with a wide variety of technical skills and Roskopf works to embed a variety of knowledge into a ballet art form that respects all cultures. 鈥淚 really want to decolonize the Eurocentric dance forms that are heavily preserved in academia,鈥� she explains, noting that she creates a space where dancers comprehend each other.

She is also a current graduate student in the Master of Fine Arts program of dance at PSOA. Through this, she has dived deeper into dance research to illuminate stories of cultural identity and expression through movement. Much of her work centers on Asian American voices and people of color, inspiring others to stand up in the face of discrimination, especially her daughter. Roskopf is planning to travel to South Korea soon: 鈥淚鈥檓 going to be working with Korean choreographers to learn more about the traditional and contemporary Korean dance practices.鈥�

Learn more about Elisabeth and watch the episode on the . 

PSOA students are supported by dedicated staff and tailored resources through arts career community

Students attend a networking event at MARN.

Dozens of students from the Peck School of the Arts attended a special networking event designed specifically for aspiring artists and creative entrepreneurs. The event, which took place at the Milwaukee Artists Resource Network (MARN) in Milwaukee鈥檚 Third Ward neighborhood, drew students from each of the school鈥檚 visual and performing arts departments.

UW-Milwaukee鈥檚 Center for Student Experience and Talent (SET) coordinated the event in partnership with PSOA to give students an opportunity to connect with leaders and opportunities across several arts, creative and cultural organizations.

The collaborative event is one example of how UW-Milwaukee is addressing a need for industry-specific career support, including arts disciplines that are often overlooked by career services at other institutions. 51猎奇 takes an innovative 鈥渃areer communities鈥� approach, pairing students with dedicated staff, tailored resources, networking events and experiential learning opportunities that align with their interests and professional goals. One such grouping is the Film, Visual, and Performing Arts Career Community.

According to SET Executive Director Laurie Marks, this year was also the first time at 51猎奇 that a career fair included the word 鈥渁rts鈥� in its title, attracting employers and internship sites that are of particular interest to students in the Peck School of the Arts.

The significance of this level of support and the benefits that come from this type of event are not lost on students.

鈥淚t is important for college students to begin making connections now so that by the time we graduate we can have a web made of people who can help support us and give advice on where they’ve been,鈥� said Annika Hauser, a junior in the Music Education program. 鈥淚 got to connect with someone from UPAF [the United Performing Arts Fund], which was really cool and really nice to talk with her.鈥�

Shane Omen is finishing up his senior year studying Digital Fabrication & Design and Jewelry & Metalsmithing. For him, just attending an event like this was a step in the right direction for his professional development. 鈥淚 think networking is one of the most important parts of school. Skills are great, but people can connect you to opportunities. I struggle with reaching out to people and putting myself out there, so events designed for this purpose are very helpful.鈥�

The event featured a panel of speakers with diverse ties to the region鈥檚 creative economy. The panelists were David Busse (Video Producer, CI Design), Ellie Jackson (WaterMarks Project Manager and Arts Career Community Co-lead, UW-Milwaukee), Kelsey Kaufman (Owner, Cactus Club), KT Mullen (Artist and Writer), and Jene Tate (Fashion Designer and Event Coordinator, Unfinished Legacy).

Panelists shared insights into their own academic and career paths and took questions from students. The students prompted honest dialogue and connected with the professionals on a variety of topics, including a question about 鈥渋mposter syndrome.鈥� That resonated with Andy Beyer Bowden, a Film major who captured photography of the event through his campus job.

鈥淚 enjoyed that someone asked that question,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 the kind of tough, true anxiety that I might face when I鈥檓 creating in my own art. And there is no simple answer to overcoming it. But insights and creativity are simply so. They come when they come, and when they don鈥檛, you feel like an imposter even when you shouldn鈥檛.鈥�

In addition to the panel, students mingled with representatives from a variety of organizations and took advantage of open invitations to nearby organizations and firms. That included a tour of the Broadway Theatre Center hosted by Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.

鈥淚 love theater. It鈥檚 always a little weird walking into theatrical spaces because theater is such a community practice,鈥� said Maia Correia-Fill, a Dance BFA sophomore. 鈥淚 was a little timid walking into the space, but the team at MCT is very committed to developing the professional Milwaukee theater scene. Their passion was palpable. It was very refreshing and inspiring to see working professionals committed to elevating their scene, while still involving their community.鈥�

All students who participated in the event qualified to receive a free one-year membership to MARN. According to the MARN website, memberships provide a variety of benefits, including access to MARN鈥檚 Art + Culture Hub, eligibility to exhibit their work, discounts on curated exhibition application fees, and more.

Art alum exhibits at Museum of Wisconsin Art’s venue at Saint Kate鈥擳he Arts Hotel

In this self portrait by artist Vaughan Larsen, they are seen surrounded by citrus and greenery.

Los Angeles-based artist Vaughan Larsen (BFA 2019, Art: Photography) has exhibited their award-winning work in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and New Orleans, and internationally in Germany, Italy, and Russia. And now, they are returning to Wisconsin for their first solo exhibition, 鈥淓verything I Could Ever Want.鈥�

In their new work, Vaughan Larsen challenges the American landscape photography tradition by investigating the anthropomorphization and gendering of nature. Through a critical exploration of the perception of nature as feminine and using the camera as a tool for self-inquiry, Larsen examines traditional gender constructs imposed on both individuals and spaces in a visual journey that embodies what it means to be seen.

Tell us a bit about your upcoming exhibition, Everything I Could Ever Want? What inspired the title, and what can visitors expect to see?

This exhibition will largely consist of self-portrait photographs. Some depict me alone, while others were made in collaboration with friends and chosen family. The strongest theme running through all of the work is Community. I use photography as a way to further explore my own relationships 鈥� meaning both my relationship to myself, in particular the relationship to my gender, as well as relationships with others. In my images, I鈥檓 showing the always-present magic and love that I鈥檇 like to think we all experience when around certain people in life. 

As for the title, I wanted something that would encapsulate this never-ending journey of self-discovery I鈥檓 sharing through the work. I don鈥檛 mean to say, 鈥減lease come enter this room and look how I鈥檝e achieved everything I鈥檝e ever wanted,鈥� but instead I鈥檓 showing moments of my chasing towards that dream. I recently realized that I鈥檓 beginning to experience things in my life, particularly aspects of my journey in being trans, that I never particularly wanted in the past. But now that I鈥檓 experiencing them, I want them more than anything.

As an alum of the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, can you share how your time at the university influenced your artistic journey and led you to this exhibition?

The sense of community within the photography program was very strong during my time there. I was constantly being encouraged to push my work further, and there was always space to lay groundwork for whatever path I wished to take, rather than being in a niche photography program at another school that鈥檚 aimed at only something specific such as fashion photography. Milwaukee as a city has been a wonderful incubator and nest for me to repeatedly return to, and I鈥檓 also grateful for that. 

Your artwork explores themes of identity, gender constructs, and relationships. How these themes are represented in your upcoming exhibition and the significance they hold for you as an artist?

The nude self-portraits showing me alone in nature (such as the piece Green Doesn鈥檛 Always Mean Fertile) were made in 2021 as a direct exploration of thinking about my body and if I wanted to start taking Estrogen Hormone Replacement Therapy. For these images I was reflecting on how, historically, most landscape photographers like Ansel Adams are men, and something like 85% of nudes in museums depict women. To make these photographs was to push against both of these facts, carving a space for a body like mine.

I’ve also realized as I鈥檝e gotten older how deeply important building relationships is to me and is a core aspect of how I navigate life. In these photographs, I’m sharing aspects of this journey and the world I’m building for myself and others around me. The world we’re actively building together, particularly centered around the deepness of trans love and connection.

Finally, can you tell us about any upcoming projects or future directions in your artistic journey that you’re excited about after this exhibition?

I’m very excited about this new direction of live performance in my work! I forgot how performing live with an audience can create this very intense, fleeting connection with everyone in the room. I’ve also been exploring sculpture a bit more, which is shown in the MOWA show. In a larger lens, I just turned 30 this past spring and have been manically bouncing between many different ideas for my future, such as staying in Los Angeles and weaseling my way deeper into the film industry, moving to New York, another country, or applying for grad school! Hopefully my head will be more screwed on after this exhibition has finished, and I can give you a clearer answer.

Everything I Could Ever Want opens October 13 at MOWA | DTN, the Museum of Wisconsin Art鈥檚 satellite location inside Saint Kate鈥擳he Arts Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. An opening reception will be held on October 13 from 5-7 p.m. and includes a performance at 6 p.m., both open to the public. The exhibition is on view through January 14, 2024.

For more information, visit the .

PSOA Alum Recognized as 25 New faces in Experimental Film

Zachary Epcar / Photo from Filmmaker Magazine

Filmmaker Magazine recently released its “25 New Faces in Experimental Film,” and PSOA Alum Zachary Epcar (MFA 2021, Cinematic Arts) made the list. The publication noted that Epcar鈥檚 seven shorts to date have regularly premiered at high-profile festivals like TIFF and NYFF. Currently in development, his first feature,聽The Syndrome, is a logical extension of their iterations of heightened melodramatic states staged in distinctly American contexts.聽

Read the full story on .

PSOA Student Recognized by TMJ4 as one of the Best Classical Guitarists in the World

Kevin Loh poses for TMJ4 with his guitar

“He’s one of the best guitarists in the world right now. I’m talking about from all generations to young generations to my generation. He鈥檚 definitely one of the best,” Rene Izquierdo, a professor of guitar at UW-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts, told TMJ4 in a feature about graduate student Kevin Lo. Read the full article on .

MKE Black Theatre Festival Featured Immense Talent from PSOA聽

Two students perform in a staged reading.

For three weeks in August, the MKE Black Theatre Festival immersed Milwaukee in a celebration of culture and creativity spanning full-productions, staged readings, masterclasses, artist panels and more, all highlighting the vibrant Black arts scene in Milwaukee. 

The festival has strong connections with the Peck School of the Arts, and several of this year鈥檚 events proudly showcased PSOA alumni, faculty, and current students. 

Bronzeville Arts Ensemble presented The Meeting, a one-act play that depicts the supposed meeting of two of the most important men of modern times: Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sheri Williams Pannell (Assistant Professor of Theatre) is the Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble. The production included Jessica Berlin-Krivsky (Theatre and Stage Management Teaching Faculty) as Stage Manager, Myesha Cole (Program Assistant) as Scenic Designer, and alum Colin Gawronski as Lighting and Sound Designer. Delivering compelling performances were current PSOA students Ethan Hightire as Malcom X, Nahjee Robinson as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Brian Maxwell as Rashad.聽

The festival also featured PSOA student Destiny Dyson in Mud Row, a play about two generations of sisters in conflict over a Pennsylvania house and family history.  

Sheri Williams Pannell also served as co-moderator of a talkback following A History of Black Theatre Through the Eyes of Everett Marshburn. In the program, Marshburn, the Emmy Award-winning producer of PBS Milwaukee’s Black Nouveau, shed light on his lifelong engagement with the arts and offered insights into important moments in Black Theater History. Pannel co-moderated the talkback with Claybourn Benson, founder of Wisconsin Black Historical Society. 

The MKE Black Theatre Festival was widely covered by the media, including , and the August edition of among many others. Visit the for more information about the organization. 

Story by Molly Beacom ’24

PSOA Alum’s Exhibition and Gallery Featured on TMJ4

Nadia Alkhun smiles in front of a wall displaying brightly colored, abstract paintings.

“My main concentration is painting and drawing, but I consider myself an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary artist. I like to create and combine different ideas together,” Nadia Alkhun (BFA 2022) told TMJ4 on a recent feature about her gallery and upcoming exhibition. She described the show as Islamic-inspired work that has specific characteristics or elements like calligraphy, flowers and plants, and geometric detail.

Read more and watch the segment on .