Directors
Nathan Balser, Artistic Director
Nathan Balser is an associate professor of dance at Brigham Young University and the new artistic director of the Young Ambassadors. He completed his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University with a BS in Therapeutic Recreation and his Master’s of Fine Arts in dance from the University of Utah.
Nathan’s professional career includes performing on Broadway in the revival cast of Promises, Promises with Kristen Chenoweth, 9 to 5: The Musical with Allyson Janney, Damn Yankees with Cheyenne Jackson,
and Legally Blonde. He also appeared on CBS’s Tony Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nathan danced professionally with choreographers and groups including Repertory Dance Theatre, Odyssey Dance, Molissa Fenley, John Malashock, Scott Rink, and Utah Regional Ballet.
Prior to his assignment as director of the Young Ambassadors, Nathan had multiple opportunities to set choreography on the group, travelling twice with them to China. Nathan also directed BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre and choreographed at Sundance, Hale Center Theatre Orem, Lagoon Entertainment, Nauvoo, IL, and Utah COPA. He readily teaches workshops on dance, music, choreography and performance. He is married and has four beautiful kids.
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Nathan’s professional career includes performing on Broadway in the revival cast of Promises, Promises with Kristen Chenoweth, 9 to 5: The Musical with Allyson Janney, Damn Yankees with Cheyenne Jackson,
and Legally Blonde. He also appeared on CBS’s Tony Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nathan danced professionally with choreographers and groups including Repertory Dance Theatre, Odyssey Dance, Molissa Fenley, John Malashock, Scott Rink, and Utah Regional Ballet.
Prior to his assignment as director of the Young Ambassadors, Nathan had multiple opportunities to set choreography on the group, travelling twice with them to China. Nathan also directed BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre and choreographed at Sundance, Hale Center Theatre Orem, Lagoon Entertainment, Nauvoo, IL, and Utah COPA. He readily teaches workshops on dance, music, choreography and performance. He is married and has four beautiful kids.
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John Shurtleff, Technical Director
As technical director for Young Ambassadors and Living Legends for more than 25 years, John Shurtleff has traveled the world training some of the finest professionals in technical theatre anywhere. His students are working in New York, with national touring companies, and in theatres across the nation.
John has coordinated the transport of equipment, scenery, costumes, and props, interfacing with and international government agencies to assure technical support for each touring company. He is also responsible for the training of students who fill all technical positions, including stage management, sound, lighting, rigging, props, and costumes.
In 1997 John was appointed technical director for the sesquicentennial production, Faith in Every Footstep. He also served as one of the technical directors for Light of the World in the Conference Center during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. More
John has coordinated the transport of equipment, scenery, costumes, and props, interfacing with and international government agencies to assure technical support for each touring company. He is also responsible for the training of students who fill all technical positions, including stage management, sound, lighting, rigging, props, and costumes.
In 1997 John was appointed technical director for the sesquicentennial production, Faith in Every Footstep. He also served as one of the technical directors for Light of the World in the Conference Center during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. More
Anjanette Mickelsen, Music Director
Vocal & Studio Coach
Anjanette Mickelsen has followed a lifelong passion as a world class vocal coach. With over 25 years of experience, she continues to train and coach successful singers across the globe. Her clients have found success as professional artists, social media artists, pro musical theater performers, and received scholarships and awards, and made top categories on American Idol, The Voice, and The Sing-Off. Her clients for vocal technique and studio coaching have received many millions of views. She is the youngest teacher in the world to receive the highest certification level from prestigious Speech Level Singing program, a ten-year process. She has taught at the renowned VocalizeU Summer Vocal Program, and trained students and teachers as a Mentor Instructor in the Institute of Vocal Advancement.
Songwriter
As a songwriter alongside her writing partner Stephen Nelson, they have written for successful artists such as GENTRI, Mat & Savana Shaw, Madilyn Paige, Lexi Walker, David Archuleta, Hilary Weeks, BRIT, Mercy River, and Calee Reed. They have also written songs for companies such as Renatus, 7TK, Raw Focus, and Spike 150 State of Utah Celebration. Their music has made #1 on multiple Billboard charts, top ranks on iTunes Charts, and can be heard on Emmy-winning films, and they are published writers for Sony Masterworks.
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Anjanette Mickelsen has followed a lifelong passion as a world class vocal coach. With over 25 years of experience, she continues to train and coach successful singers across the globe. Her clients have found success as professional artists, social media artists, pro musical theater performers, and received scholarships and awards, and made top categories on American Idol, The Voice, and The Sing-Off. Her clients for vocal technique and studio coaching have received many millions of views. She is the youngest teacher in the world to receive the highest certification level from prestigious Speech Level Singing program, a ten-year process. She has taught at the renowned VocalizeU Summer Vocal Program, and trained students and teachers as a Mentor Instructor in the Institute of Vocal Advancement.
Songwriter
As a songwriter alongside her writing partner Stephen Nelson, they have written for successful artists such as GENTRI, Mat & Savana Shaw, Madilyn Paige, Lexi Walker, David Archuleta, Hilary Weeks, BRIT, Mercy River, and Calee Reed. They have also written songs for companies such as Renatus, 7TK, Raw Focus, and Spike 150 State of Utah Celebration. Their music has made #1 on multiple Billboard charts, top ranks on iTunes Charts, and can be heard on Emmy-winning films, and they are published writers for Sony Masterworks.
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