Meet the Company
Performers
Anson Bagley
Bio Forthcoming
Justin Bawden
A small town kid with dreams of the big city, Justin is from the small town of Sterling, Utah. He is currently attending BYU, studying Music Dance Theatre. Outside of his love for performing, Justin also loves playing soccer, eating Costa Vida, and playing his trumpet. Before attending BYU, Justin served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, followed by studying Music at Snow College. Some of Justin’s most recent performances were in the Ensemble of Cinderella at the Sundance Mountain Resort, Perchik in BYU’s Fiddler on the Roof, and Charlie Brown in DPAC’s You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Justin is so excited to perform with the Young Ambassadors and can’t wait to meet everyone at the shows!
McCall Hope Brainard
McCall Hope is delighted to be a part of BYU’s Young Ambassadors this season! From Saratoga Springs, Utah, McCall is currently pursuing a BFA in Music Dance Theatre and is also working toward her certification to become both a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist. Over the years, McCall has trained with Open Jar Institute, Odyssey Dance Theatre and Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA), where she is now a dance company director. Some of her favorite credits include Fly More Than You Fall (dance captain), BYU’s Fiddler On The Roof (dance captain), Thriller! (ODT), Sound of Music (Marta), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket), and The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy). McCall recently had the opportunity to study abroad with BYU’s London Theatre Program. Here she met the love of her life: Basil Ricotta Gelato. McCall loves the arts and feels closest to her Savior when she is sharing light, hope and love with an audience. She feels humbled and blessed to be a part of the Young Ambassadors to share the peace and joy found in Christ through the means of song and dance!
@McCallHope
@McCallHope
Bailey Dayton
Bailey Dayton is thrilled to be a part of Young Ambassadors this year. Born and raised in Utah, she is currently working towards her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Dance Theatre from BYU, with a minor in American Sign Language. Favorite performing credits include Ariel in Footloose, Kathy in Singin’ in the Rain, Fiona in Shrek the Musical, and Manhattan Concert Productions performances of Crazy for You at The Lincoln Center and Broadway Classics in Concert at Carnegie Hall. Bailey has trained with Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA), The Dance Conservatory, and The Open Jar Institute in Manhattan. She recently returned from serving a mission in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Winnipeg, Canada. When not in rehearsal Bailey can be found listening to One Direction, or waiting in the Popeye’s drive-through, or both. 1 John 4:7-8.
Tanner Garner, Vocal Captain
Tanner is excited and grateful to be a Young Ambassador. He currently studies Musical Theatre and Business at BYU. In 2017, Tanner played ensemble roles in BYU’s Mary Poppins and Chariots of Fire, before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ. Recently he played Laurie in Little Women at Orem Hale Center Theatre, Lyle in Footloose at Sundance, and Mendel in Fiddler on the Roof at BYU. He has participated in community theater since a very young age, and he enjoys anything to do with music, dancing or theater. Tanner particularly enjoys performing with his wife, Ondine, and would like to thank her for all her love and support.
Ben Jessop
From Nashville, TN, Ben is going to be a junior in the Music Dance Theatre program here at BYU and is so excited to be joining the Young Ambassadors! He was most recently a principle artist for the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre’s 2022 Summer Season performing in shows such as “Joseph…Dreamcoat”, “Man of La Mancha”, and “She Loves Me” and has also been a part of past BYU productions such as “Pirates of Penzance”, “Die Fledermaus”, “Urinetown”, and “Fiddler on the Roof”. He is thrilled to be joining the group for the first time and is grateful to everyone who has supported him throughout these crazy years!
Gabrielle McCarter
Gabrielle is so excited and incredibly honored to be a part of the Young Ambassadors alongside such talented performers! She is a junior in the MDT program and has loved the training so much! Gabrielle was previously a competitive dancer, winning national titles in contemporary, ballroom, jazz, etc. It was not until high school that she found she enjoys singing as well. Her most recent shows have included Fiddler on the Roof here at BYU, and Matilda at the Scera. She wants to thank her family, coaches, friends, and anyone else who has ever encouraged her to pursue performing!
Ty McQuiston
Bio Forthcoming
Cutter Mendenhall
Originally from Highland, Utah, Cutter is a junior at BYU double majoring in English and Spanish Studies. Some of his favorite credits include Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress and Danny Zuko in Grease. Since returning from his mission in Uruguay, Cutter has been a member of two of BYU’s folk dance performing companies and the a cappella group Duly Noted. He is thrilled and grateful to be spreading light through music as one of this year’s Young Ambassadors.
Mikenzie Moon
Mikenzie is incredibly grateful to be a Young Ambassador fulfilling her and her mom’s dream (shout out to Kel). Some of her favorite performance opportunities include being a Jewish son in BYU’s Fiddler on the Roof, a featured dancer in Sundance’s Footloose, and a dancing concubine in The Book of Mormon Videos. Mikenzie is pursuing a degree in Dance Education with a minor in History Education. Prior to BYU, she trained at Prodigy Dance Centre in Frisco, Texas, and attended Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas, where she worked with many renowned choreographers and performed in competitions and festivals across the country. She has taught at numerous elementary schools under BYU’s Kinnect Dance Company. Mikenzie’s most fulfilling job was choreographing for a group of fourth graders to perform at the Provo School District Dance Concert. She loves teaching all ages and has recently begun a business for wedding choreography and event-based dance classes. Mikenzie wants to dance with somebody, will it be you? @mikenzienicole
Evan Naef, Co-President
Evan Naef is a Washington native majoring in accounting. He served in the Trinidad Port of Spain mission and is currently a senior at BYU in the Accounting program. Evan is thrilled and humbled for the opportunity to come back to the Young Ambassadors for his third year. His favorite credit was his role as Schroeder in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. He is so grateful for the amazing support of friends and family, making his Young Ambassador experience the best ever.
Brooke Nielsen
Bio Forthcoming
Sage Patchin
Hello! My name is Sage Patchin and I am a senior in the Music Dance Theatre Program here at BYU. I started singing and performing very young and although a non-member, was led to the YASE program as a teen and found that I loved the program and wanted to have the opportunity to be trained at BYU. I also help lead music worship with the band at CenterPoint Church in Orem. I grew up in the small town of Shelley, Idaho and am proud to be a Russet! I have four siblings and we grew up with lots of music in the home, sports, and outdoor adventuring! My latest credits are playing Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Millie in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Jackson Hole Playhouse. I am thrilled to be joining the Young Ambassadors and I can't wait to work with the amazing cast and directors!
Sarah Sun
Sarah is a sophomore majoring in Music and minoring in International Strategy and Diplomacy. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 17 and proceeded to serve a mission in southern California. A transfer student from Cornell University, this is Sarah’s first year at BYU, where she is also a member of the BYUSA Executive Team. As a pianist, Sarah has had the opportunity to perform as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and with professional symphonies across China and the US, including the Utah Symphony. She was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Utah in 2019 and was 2nd Runner-up to the Distinguished Young Woman of America (formerly known as America’s Junior Miss). She deeply believes in the mission of Young Ambassadors, and couldn’t be more humbled and honored to share the light of the gospel through song and dance!
Jeff Sundwall
Jeff is pumped to be a part of Young Ambassadors this year! Jeff is currently a senior in the Human Resource Management program here at BYU. After being bribed by his Mom to try out for the middle school musical, Jeff quickly found a passion in musical theater. He loves to perform, especially when he gets to perform with his wife, Hailey. He and Hailey have been married for three years and just recently got a new puppy!
Johnathan Tanner, Dance Captain & Assistant to the Director
From Spanish Fork, Utah, Johnathan is a Senior in the Music Dance Theatre program at BYU. Johnathan has been trained in multiple genres of dance, including Hip Hop, Ballroom, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, and Tap. He has danced with BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theater, and is happy to be returning to BYU Young Ambassadors for his 3rd year. He has won multiple awards in dance, ranging from being a finalist at National Ballroom competitions in Amateur Cabaret and Amateur Smooth, to being a state of Utah sterling scholar finalist in Dance. He also has excelled on the piano and violin, the latter giving him the opportunity to perform twice in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, with an international high school symphony orchestra, made up of students from around the world. When Johnathan isn’t teaching or performing, he enjoys reading, roller skating, and traveling with his family. Johnathan is thrilled to be returning for another wonderful year on Young Ambassadors!
Insta: @Johnathan.tanner
Insta: @Johnathan.tanner
Caler Tregeagle
Caler Tregeagle is a senior in the Dance BFA program at Brigham Young University. Caler has been a part of the Contemporary Dance Theatre Company for 3 years and is so excited to be joining the Young Ambassadors this year. Caler has traveled around the country performing and recently went on a European tour with the Contemporary Dance Theatre Company this past summer. Caler is so grateful for all the opportunities he has received at BYU and is so excited to continue to grow his talents through new experiences for Broadway is always watching and Caler shall be ready!
Emma Wadsworth, Co-President & Vocal Captain
Emma is thrilled to be back for round two with the Young Ambassadors after touring with them in South Korea this past year! Emma is a junior in the Music Dance Theatre program here at BYU and was most recently seen donning a pretzel shaped wig as "Gabrielle" in R&H's Cinderella at Sundance Summer Theater. When she's not singing and dancing, Emma can be found reading, playing the piano, creating with her camera, or listening to Barbra Streisand. Emma feels the most "aligned" when she's performing and serving with the Young Ambassadors. She strongly believes in their mission and has been deeply impacted by her experiences with the company. "...We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same…" –Marianne Williamson || @emma.wadsworth
Kersee Whitney
Kersee Whitney is so grateful and excited to be performing and touring with the Young Ambassadors for the 2nd year and loved touring to South Korea last year. She started performing at age five, but was most recently seen as Mabel in BYU’s production of The Pirates of Penzance. She is currently studying Music Dance Theatre at Brigham Young University. She has performed at the Lincoln Center (NYC) in Crazy For You directed by Susan Stroman, as well as at Carnegie Hall in MCP’s Broadway Classics. Other favorite roles include Opal (The Miller’s Daughter) in BYU’s production of Rump, Cinderella in Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Rusty in Footloose, and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. She is grateful to her husband, family, and friends for their love and support as she continues to do what she loves.
Instagram: @kers_whitney | YouTube: @Karter & Kersee | TikTok: @karter_and_kersee
Instagram: @kers_whitney | YouTube: @Karter & Kersee | TikTok: @karter_and_kersee
TaeLor Wride, Dance Captain
Bio Forthcoming
Show Band
Ethan Jenkins, Guitar & Band Rep
Bio Forthcoming
Parker Naatjes, Bass
Bio Forthcoming
Amelia Nicholson, Drummer
Bio Forthcoming
Joseph Phillips, Keyboard
Bio Forthcoming
Tech Crew
Tyler Christensen, Lighting Technician
Bio Forthcoming
Paige Northrup, Audio Technician
From Aspen, Colorado, Paige is a sophomore in the Theatre Arts Studies program with an emphasis in acting at BYU. Paige has a background as a performer and grew up singing and acting with the Theatre Aspen Conservatory program. You may have seen her last as "Ms. Shingle" in BYU's A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder or singing the National Anthem at one of BYU's basketball or baseball games! Just last year she won the award for Outstanding Achievement in Paris, France's Beyond the Curve film festival for an original music video. She enjoys writing music, trying new recipes, drawing, and backpacking around Aspen. Paige is excited to be working and learning on the audio crew with the Young Ambassadors, and is looking forward to touring in Scotland with the team! Instagram: @paige.lillie.northrup
Kali Randall, Spot Op
Kali Randall is majoring in Family Studies at BYU with an emphasis in research and a minor in business. She participates on the BYU Racquetball Team and as the Marketing Team Lead on the Marriott Student Review Board. Kali loves performing and singing and has performed in Carnegie Hall and participated with the BYU Choirs. Kali is excited to join the YA with her husband Joseph Phillips, the YA pianist.
Brianna Schetzel, Deck Crew
Bio Forthcoming
Rebekah Tran, Spot Op
Bio Forthcoming
Gabriella Warnick, Sound
Gabriella grew up in St. George, Utah where music and theatre were very large parts of her life. Finding a passion in live audio reinforcement and dipping her toes into theatrical sound design, she has enjoyed working with BYU’s various groups on campus, in Europe with their Folk Dance Ensemble, and most recently with The Young Ambassadors to China. She is currently in her third year at BYU as a studio art major, spending fair amounts of time supplementing her education with as many interests as she can collect.
Henry Young, Stage Manager
Bio Forthcoming