In April, the “Transforming Crisis” series will host three public virtual events, featuring Fine Arts Center artist-in-residence, Miwa Matreyek. The series a semester-long series hosted in collaboration with UMass Fine Arts Center (FAC), the Master of Fine Arts for Poets and Writers (MFA) and the School of Earth and Sustainability (SES). It is devoted to illuminating ecological crises and addressing climate injustice. With support from the Chancellor's Sustainability Advisory Committee, the series includes performances, readings and discussions with prominent scholars, scientists and artists, along with students and community members about pressing environmental issues, promising solutions and the power of creative arts to inspire collective action. 

Assistant Professor of Saxophone Jonathan Hulting-Cohen has released his first solo recording, titled Second Flight, on innova Recordings. The new CD features original works by a wide range of composers including Department of Music and Dance chair Salvatore Macchia and fellow saxophone professor Felipe Salles. Backing Hulting-Cohen on the release are Nicholas Shaneyfelt ’11 MM (piano), Rudresh Mahanthappa (saxophone) and Dennis Sullivan (drums).