UNCG College of Visual and Performing Arts

From North Carolina native and singer-songwriter Ben Folds to Broadway actor Alex Newell, Jazz royalty Samara Joy, and more…

Get to know our lineup for the 2026-2027 University Concert and Lecture Series (UCLS) as we bring you world-class artists and speakers to campus for our 114th season.

The series includes dedicated, selective interactions between visiting artists and UNC Greensboro students, offering unique learning opportunities—and sometimes once-in-a-lifetime experiences—in the form of moderated conversations, jam sessions, and masterclasses. With the support of several generous sponsors and the University, it is the mission of the College of Visual and Performing Arts is to bring leading artists to our campus for the education of our students and also engagement with our broader community.

Tickets for all events are on sale now! Visit our or ucls.uncg.edu for more information and to purchase your tickets!

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Class of 2026: Carina Young is dancing her way through life and the world | College of Visual and Performing Arts Carina Young (BFA Dance: Choreography and Performance) says all she’s ever wanted to do is dance and travel. At UNCG’s School of Dance, she found...

Class of 2026: Sofia Aguilar Draws on Her Heritage to create Art | College of Visual and Performing Arts Sofia Aguilar’s (MFA Studio Arts: Printmaking and Drawing) Mexican heritage imbues her art, which she has developed during her time at UNCG’s...

Class of 2026: Christian Bartney is Directing His Dreams On and Off Stage | College of Visual and Performing Arts In the darkened UNCG Auditorium, a single spotlight shines on Christian Lowray Bartney (BFA Drama: Musical Theatre) as he begins to sing, “What do...

For Carina Young, all she’s ever wanted to do is dance and travel—and she found both at UNCG’s School of Dance.

“New York is where I really fell in love with dance and knew that I really wanted to do this…and then when I started looking at UNCG, I realized it had everything I was looking for—the arts, sports, and community…and it turned out to be just the right place for me.”

Starting her journey at age ten at a dance studio in Charlotte, Young was fortunate to be surrounded by so many arts experiences, workshops, and connections—continuing her studies as a dance major at Northwest School of the Arts before earning her BFA with UNCG’s School of Dance.
From traveling abroad in Cape Town, South Africa and being immersed in so much culture and history, Young felt exposed to something beyond herself and sought to fulfill the needs of her spirit and sense of adventure. Her junior year brought her to Italy on a UNCG Gilman Scholarship for the School of Dance’s program “Dance in the Heart of Italia—Screen Dance and the Landscape,” which offers an immersive experience in screen dance, dance performance, and production.

Being at UNCG, Young had many courageous moments learning to be authentic and persistent. Finding growth in her dance training and artistic voice, she has also learned the importance of being curious and believing in herself—currently editing the film “Ballerina Gone Loose,” which she created in a pilot program through her business “Explore the Move,” which provides headshots, mentorship, and dance experiences for young students.

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Read Carina Young’s full Commencement Profile: https://vpa.uncg.edu/2026/05/01/class-of-2026-carina-young-is-dancing-her-way-through-life-and-the-world/

For Christian Lowray Bartney, being a part of the theatre goes beyond being on stage—with a passion for the arts that runs deep and began early.

“Both of my parents are pastors, so I’ve grown up in the church and with music all around me, especially gospel music. I play the piano, and I’m learning how to play the guitar. I also play the drums and the trumpet. I began my theatre journey in sixth grade—my first play was The Wizard of Oz–Christmas Edition. After that, I was the Genie in Aladdin, Sebastian in Little Mermaid, Simba in Lion King, and I just kept going from middle school through high school.”

Under a shining spotlight, Bartney’s performance for the School of Theatre’s Industry Showcase reel was orchestrated as an unexpected and multifaceted display of not just theatre but also singing and film. Finding his way to UNCG brought Bartney exactly where he needed to be to hone his crafts as an actor, singer, and choreographer.

The path both onstage and offstage paved the way to take his journey to New York. After that? Bartney has plans outside of show business and the world of theatre altogether—a dream to start a charter school that will help kids get ready for college and future careers.

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Read Christian Lowray Bartney’s full Commencement Profile: https://vpa.uncg.edu/2026/05/01/class-of-2026-christian-bartney-is-directing-his-dreams-from-stages-to-schools/

UNC Greensborosof2026

For Sofia Aguilar, art has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.

“Even if it was just coloring books or the cheap acrylic paint at home, I’ve been making art since I was little.”

Now a two-time graduate and alum, Aguilar has gone from undergraduate studies to grad school at UNCG’s School of Art—earning an MFA with a body of work imbued with her Mexican heritage.

Developed during her time here, her art began to express a theme, focused on the history and culture of Mexico, specifically the iconography and symbolism of the Aztec period. Using those elements to develop her own characters based on folklore dance and representations of gods and goddess, she depicts interactions between contemporary settings and Aztec mythology that dominate her art.

With plans to keep printmaking, Aguilar hopes to have a chance to help other find their way in art someday. After prioritizing her art and reflecting on the one-on-one conversations with students in the Gatewood print room, she’s ready to dive into helping guide others into being printmakers, too.

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Read Sofia Aguilar’s full Commencement Profile: https://vpa.uncg.edu/2026/05/01/class-of-2026-sofia-aguilar-draws-on-her-heritage-to-create-art/

Congratulations to our graduates across all our disciplines and programs—great things await you beyond the walls of these arts buildings, studios, and lecture halls. We can't wait to recognize you and all your accomplishments! 👏👏👏

Be sure to reach out to your School for details on available seating or attendance for your ceremony and any additional information or questions you have.

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