Massachusetts native John Manion '05 has been creating and exhibiting sculptures that explore identity and wellness for more than 20 years.

Finn Lefevre '17G is a trans non-binary scholar who first came to the Department of Theater at UMass Amherst as a graduate student in dramaturgy, and has now won a following among undergraduate students by teaching exciting new classes such as Sci Fi and Queer theatre. Lefevre works at the leading edge of trans and theater scholarship and has had several of their writings in queer theatre published over the past year, the most recent being an account of the work of "Queer & Now," a collective founded at UMass, in the "Palgrave Handbook of Queer and Trans Feminisms in Contemporary Performance." We contacted them to ask some questions about their work and writing and how these connect to their time at UMass and with "Queer & Now." Natasha Hawkins, first-year MFA dramaturgy student, interviewed Lefevre.

Marianna Ritchey, associate professor of music history in the Department of Music & Dance, discovered a deep interest in music as an undergraduate at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Ritchey currently focuses her research on young American composers in the contemporary capitalist landscape. With roots as an indie-rock musician, Ritchey approaches a diverse array of musical styles in her teaching and writing as culturally important and significant.

A double major in Dance and Kinesiology, Emma George ‘18 is focused on the human body: when it works the way it should, and when it doesn’t. Her passion for dance started when she was just four years old. Emma is currently working with one of her professors on a dance intervention for people with Huntington’s disease. She eventually hopes to work for Cirque du Soleil and intertwine work with travel. She also wants to become a physical therapist, helping dancers and other athletes heal and recover from injuries.

Paul Dennis is an Associate Professor the the UMass Amherst Department of Music and Dance, as well as a Co-Director of the University Dancers and a coordinator of HFA's New York Professional Outreach Program. Professor Dennis discusses his journey with dance and how his experiences have shaped his relationship with the art form.

Through his pursuit of a dual degree in Chinese and Political Science, Tenzin Dawa Thargay has been exposed to many thought-provoking issues that have changed his views on the world and international relations. Tenzin discusses his background as a first-generation Tibetan-American and shares his thoughts on the humanistic and political aspect of his education and what he plans to do after graduation.