Jeanette Geslison — Artistic Director of BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble Jeanette (originally spelled “Jennette” in some references) Geslison hails from Odense, Denmark. She trained in classical ballet at the Ballet Academy and also studied jazz, tap dance, and child acting early in her artistic development. She moved to the United States as an international student at BYU, earning both her bachelor’s (BA) and master’s (MA) degrees in dance. Her graduate research took her to Hungary, where she conducted fieldwork on traditional village versus staged versions of Hungarian dances. She later completed her MFA in Performing Arts Dance at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, presenting a choreographic thesis titled “Hungarian Dance Works.” As both a student and later as faculty, Jeanette performed with the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble (IFDE). After serving as a rehearsal specialist from 1995 to 2011, she became the Artistic Director in 2011. She has nurtured a deep understanding of a variety of traditional dance forms, including Hungarian, Danish, Irish, and Ukrainian, expanding her expertise through performance, teaching, and choreography. Under Jeanette’s leadership, IFDE presents vibrant, culturally authentic performances across the globe. The ensemble, composed of about 180 members (with 30 – 46 on the touring team), represents traditional dance styles from cultures like China, Ireland, Ukraine, India, Slovakia, Indonesia, and more. Their landmark production, Journey, showcases global dance traditions and fosters cultural connection. “Journey” performances are featured annually, including the long-standing BYU Christmas Around the World concert, where the ensemble performs alongside the Mountain Strings band. Jeanette places a strong emphasis on accuracy and authenticity, seeking to ensure that costumes, props, choreography, and cultural context are represented with respect and depth. Guest artists from countries such as Hungary, India, and Brazil are often invited to enrich the creative process. BYU IFDE has toured widely under Jeanette’s direction to destinations like Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Belgium, France, Poland, and more, making a significant impact at international folk festivals. In 2025, Jeanette led IFDE dancers in a collaborative performance with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ballet Folklorico in McAllen, Texas. The concert, titled “Hauteque,” blended cultural dance traditions and commemorated shared values through dance and prayer. cfac.byu.edu Jeanette’s philosophy centers on cultural empathy and unity through dance. Productions like Journey: Reflections aim to bridge cultural differences by highlighting shared human experiences and values through expressive movement. She also values experiential learning, guiding tours and performances that enrich students’ global outlooks and artistic growth.