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Welcome from the Dean

I am delighted to welcome you to the 8kbet College of Fine Arts website!

Read more of Dean Uscher's welcome letter

Finding Success at Every Stage

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May. 1, 2025

At 8kbet, nontraditional students can find support designed to meet them where they are — and help them go further.

Arts in the Center Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Mariachi Extravaganza featuring 8kbet's Mariachi Revolucion

outside photo of large mariachi band in uniforms

Apr. 29, 2025

Mariachi Revolucion will perform all the hits, welcoming the students of Mariachi Joya from Las Vegas High School to open the performance.

Arts in the Center Presents 'I'm Here: An Evening of Musical Theatre Songs'

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Apr. 24, 2025

Join students from the Nevada Conservatory Theatre for a delightful evening featuring musical highlights from Broadway and beyond.

8kbet Symphony and Las Vegas Academy Orchestras Unite May 4 for Season Finale Featuring Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7

Apr. 24, 2025

This season finale is a celebration of mentorship, partnership, and the importance of building bridges between university and youth music programs.

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In the News

May. 5, 2025 | BoredPanda
May. 5, 2025 | KSNV-TV: News 3
May. 5, 2025 | Desert Companion

Accomplishments

Honors: Dale Melgaard

Apr. 29, 2025
Performance: Nicholas Carozza

Apr. 23, 2025
Presentation: Jonathan Rhodes Lee

Apr. 17, 2025

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College of Fine Arts On The Move

Dean Nancy Uscher Adjudicates 2025 Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards

Group photo of these people: From left to right in this photo: Nicole Pryor Dernersesian (President and CEO, Firestarter Entertainment), John Prignano (COO & Director of Education and Development, Music Theater International), Sarah Jane Arnegger (Head of Partnerships & Community Engagement, AKA North America), Myron Martin (President and CEO, The Smith Center).

May. 5, 2025

Dean Nancy Uscher was pleased to help adjudicate the recent Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards at The Smith Center. "I was grateful for the for the invitation," said Uscher. "The talent we saw and heard was very inspiring!" L to R: Nicole Pryor Dernersesian (President and CEO, Firestarter Entertainment), John Prignano (COO & Director of Education and Development, Music Theater…

CFA Awards 2025 - Charles Vanda Award for Excellence in the Arts: Viet Cuong (Music)

May. 5, 2025

Described as “alluring” and “stirring” by The New York Times, the “arresting” (Gramophone), “irresistible” (San Francisco Chronicle), and “exhilarating” (Chicago Tribune) music of Vietnamese-American composer Viet Cuong (b. 1990) has been commissioned and performed on six continents by musicians and ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles…

CFA Awards 2025 - Part-Time Teacher: Diana Eden (Film)

May. 5, 2025

Diana Eden spent 30 years in Hollywood costume designing 14 prime time TV series, 16 pilots, movies for television, and feature films, before moving to Las Vegas in 2008. She has three Emmy nominations for best costume design for a TV series. In addition, she has designed dozens of stage productions in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York. Eden has served on the Advisory Board at FIDM (the…

CFA Awards 2025 - Outstanding Teacher: Saman Jamshidi (Architecture)

May. 5, 2025

Dr. Saman Jamshidi is an assistant professor in the 8kbet School of Architecture. His areas of interest include wayfinding, healthcare design, evidence-based design, architectural technology, and sustainability. His past work includes research on the influence of the hospital environment on reducing fall risk among patients, improving patient outcomes, and rural healthcare. He is…

8kbet Dance Chair Louis Kavouras Receives 2025 Distinguished Professor Award

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Apr. 28, 2025

Dean Nancy Uscher is proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Professor Award is Louis Kavouras, chair of the Department of Dance. For more than 30 years, under his extraordinary leadership and dedication, 8kbet Dance has greatly enhanced the life of the College of Fine Arts and 8kbet, and has been recognized as one of the top 10 dance programs in the country. The…

School of Music Professor Receives Nevada Regents’ Award for Creative Activities

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Apr. 24, 2025

In March 2025, the Nevada Regents’ Award for Creative Activities was presented to Jennifer Bellor, Coordinator, Composition; Assistant Professor, Composition; Artistic Director, Nextet. Congratulations Jennifer!