Meet the Company

From Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania, Tavita Ah Loe is a sophomore studying Classical Voice. He was able to serve an LDS mission in the Republic of Congo Brazzaville. He also recently got engaged, and is excited to get married this coming June. This is Tavita’s first year with the Young Ambassadors, and he is so happy to be a part of the group!

Mariel Haven is from San Diego and is currently studying Music Dance Theatre at BYU. She recently returned from her mission in Poland. This is her first year on the Young Ambassadors and she’s honored for the opportunity to sing and dance with such a talented group. You might have recently seen her playing Liesl in Sundance’s The Sound of Music. 

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!

From Houston, Texas, Bryndal Braithwaite is a second year in the Music Dance Theatre program. Her most recent credits include ensemble in BYU’s “Godspell” and being the associate choreographer for HCT’s “May We All”. This is Bryndal’s first year on the Young Ambassadors, and she is happy to be a part of the group. Shoutout to her husband Jacob for always supporting her!

From Santa Clarita, California, Luke Christensen is a sophomore here at BYU. He is currently performing in HCTO’s “How to Succeed in Business”. He was able to serve an LDS mission in Santiago Chile and Kentucky. This is Luke’s second year on the Young Ambassadors, and he is happy to be back performing with the group!

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.

From Mesa, Arizona, Annalise Decker is a sophomore in the Music Dance Theater program. Her most recent credit is ensemble in BYU’s “Godspell”. This is Annalise’s first year on the Young Ambassadors, and she is thrilled to be a part of the team!

Isaac Dowdle is an Arizona native and pumped for his first year on the Young Ambassadors. He is in his final year of the music dance theatre program with a minor in statistics at BYU. He was most recently seen as Wild Bill Hickok in Calamity Jane at Desert Star Playhouse. Other recent credits include: Narrator (Monty u/s) in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, George in She Loves Me, and Major General in Pirates of Penzance. In his free time, he likes video games, tennis, and pickleball. Stay fancy!

Riley Holmes is incredibly grateful and honored to be a part of Young Ambassadors this year! From Portland, Oregon, Riley is a senior in the Music Dance Theatre program here at BYU. After Riley participated in YASE Summer Camp in High School, performing on YAs became of dream of hers. She is filled with joy to be on this team with her best friends! Riley grew up performing professionally at Northwest Children’s Theater, where she most recently taught summer camps and performed in The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales as Dance Captain/Ensemble. Other credits include Bielke in Fiddler on the Roof (BYU), Ensemble Swing in Mary Poppins (NWCT), and Olive in Ella Enchanted (Oregon Children’s Theater). When Riley isn’t performing, she loves traveling, exploring the outdoors, reading, and giggling with her friends. Riley is ecstatic to spread light and love through performing as a Young Ambassador:) @rileyalexisholmes

From Salt Lake City, Ethan is a senior at BYU. He is part of a local band called SHELLE, and enjoys every minute of it. This is Ethan’s third year with the Young Ambassador’s and he is still so glad to be a part of the team!

From Santa Clara, California, JRay is double majoring in Human Development and Portuguese. His recent performing credits include performing/touring with BYU’s Living Legends, Rhythm and Soul Collective (which he started), and he is excited for his next project, HCT’s “The Nutty Professor”. This is JRay’s first year on the Young Ambassadors, and he is so happy to be a part of the team.

Gabrielle is so excited to be in her second season of Young Ambassadors. Gabrielle is a senior in the MDT program. 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. Most recently she has been seen in Hello Dolly at Hale Center Theater, and Fiddler on the Roof at BYU. Coming up she will be in The Nutty Professor at Hale Center Theater, and the movie “Night of Wrath.” She hopes everyone enjoys the show as much as she does, and wants to thank her family, coaches, friends, and anyone else who has ever encouraged her to pursue performing!

From San Clemente, California, Christian is a freshman here at BYU. His most recent credit is the Phantom in San Clemente High School’s “The Phantom of the Opera”. The latter role provided him the opportunity to perform at The Jimmy Awards in New York City. This is Christian’s first year on the Young Ambassadors, and he is so happy to be a part of the team.

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 in Hale Centre Theatre’s production of Hello, Dolly!, 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. Before BYU, she 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 nationwide. She has taught at numerous elementary schools under BYU’s Kinnect Dance Company. She recently presented at the National Dance Education Organization conference in Denver, CO, and performed at the Fridge Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, with YAs! Mikenzie wants to dance with somebody; will it be you? @mikenzienicole

Brooke is so excited to be joining Young Ambassadors again for her second year! She is a senior in the Music Dance Theatre program, and is so excited to move to the big city upon graduation in April. Her most recent credit includes Godspell (BYU). Shoutout to her family and those that continually support her! Broadway Here She Comes!

All the way from Raymond, Alberta, Canada, Tanner is thrilled to perform his first year with the Young Ambassador’s. Studying Computer Science, he stays connected to the arts having performed in BYU’s “Metamorphosis” as Zeus. Other credits include Charlie Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Race in “Newsies” and Ali Hakim in “Oklahoma” all at the Cardston Alberta Carriage House Theater. First thing you’ll know about Tanner upon meeting him is he’s a passionate guy, specifically about his wife Eliza, Jesus, weightlifting, food, and Star Wars.

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 4th 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. Some of Johnathan's recent credits include: Henry/Newsie 4 in Disney's Newsies (Hale Center Theatre) and Ensemble in Godspell (Brigham Young University). 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

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, having toured with them to Europe in 2022. He is so excited to be joining the Young Ambassadors for his second year. Caler has traveled around the country performing and recently went on a United Kingdom tour with the Young Ambassadors this past summer. He was also recently in the productions of Hello Dolly (Ensemble) and Disney's Newsies (Albert/Newsie 2) at Hale Center Theatre. 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!

Kersee Whitney is so excited to be performing and touring with the BYU Young Ambassadors for her 3rd year. She’s grateful to have performed in South Korea as well as at the Fringe Festival in Scotland with the Young Ambassadors. She is currently studying Music Dance Theatre at Brigham Young University and was most recently seen in BYU’s production of Godspell singing “O Bless the Lord”. She has performed at the Lincoln Center (NYC) in Crazy For You directed by Susan Stroman, and at Carnegie Hall in MCP’s Broadway Classics. She is beyond grateful to her husband, family, and friends for their love and support as she continues to pursue her dreams.

Instagram: @kers_whitney | YouTube: @Karter & Kersee | TikTok: @karter_and_kersee

Weston is excited to take on his first year as a Young Ambassador, following in the footsteps of his mom and sister, who are both Young Ambassador alumni. He is a junior in the Music Dance Theatre program at BYU, with a minor in English. Some of his recent credits include Jack Kelly in Newsies, Ensemble in Singin' in the Rain (Hale Centre Theatre), Kevin in The Prom (Pioneer Theatre Company), Hugo in Tuck Everlasting, Ernie in Sister Act (HCTO), Nahum in Fiddler on the Roof, and Kit Marlowe in Shakespeare in Love (BYU Mainstage). Growing up in Las Vegas, Weston also performed in The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage hotel. Before coming to school, Weston served a mission in Vava'u, Tonga, before being reassigned to Anchorage, Alaska.

Sarah is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves snow, musical theater, and Jesus. She is studying dance at BYU and has danced/choreographed for BYU’s Ballet Showcase company and DanceEnsemble. She currently dances with American Folk Ensemble and recently toured with them to the Netherlands. This is her third year working for BYU’s dance production team. She has worked and toured with the International Folk Dance Ensemble and Living Legends, traveling to Arizona, New Mexico, New Zealand, and Tahiti. This is her first year working with the Young Ambassadors, she’s grateful to be a part of this stellar team!

From Aspen, Colorado, Paige is a junior in the Theatre Arts Studies program emphasizing in performance and sound technology at BYU. This is Paige's second year working with the Young Ambassadors. She 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 "Miss Honey" in BYU's Contemporary Voices production of Matilda or or singing the National Anthem at one of BYU's basketball or baseball games! She enjoys writing music, trying new recipes, drawing, and backpacking around Aspen. Paige is excited to be working again on the audio crew with the Young Ambassadors, and is looking forward to touring in China with the team! Instagram: @paige.lillie.northrup

Daniel Streeter grew up in American Fork Utah and is a freshman studying Civil Engineering at BYU. He loves music and the arts, along with hiking, biking, sports, reading, and many other activities. He has played the piano most of his life, and enjoys composing music. He has been in several music groups and has performed in venues across the country. This is his first year working with the Young Ambassadors, and he is excited for the opportunity.

From American Fork, Utah, Ethan is a freshman at BYU. This is his first year working with the Young Ambassadors, and he is excited for the opportunity.

Rebekah is a senior at BYU studying Computer Science and Animation. She was able to travel with the Young Ambassadors to Scotland/England for their international tour last year, and is happy to be back with the group for another exciting year.

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 she has worked around the world with various BYU groups and continued to explore the arts as a sound designer and engineer on and off campus. She plans on graduating with a BFA in visual studio art this winter with minors in Italian and theater. The rest of her time is spent supplementing her education with as many interests as possible.

Henry Young is from Aurora, Ohio, south of Cleveland. He is studying Computer Science at BYU with a minor in English, planning on getting his master's degree in the latter after his undergrad, with hopes of becoming a better writer and storyteller. This is Henry's third year with the Young Ambassadors as their stage manager, which has provided him the opportunity to travel with them all over the Western United States as well as around the world. He enjoys hearing the reactions and warm receptions of their audiences, no matter where they are.