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This December, New York City will be brimming with Meadows-affiliated activities. From art exhibitions to operas, many of our faculty and alumni will be showcasing their talents and work across the Big Apple.

“Although it isn’t unique to spot members of the Meadows family – that is, alumni, faculty or current students – presenting their craft in New York City, this December is a particularly strong example of the impact our school has on the creative ecosystem,” says Dean Holland. “This impressive lineup makes a strong statement that students who come to Meadows are provided the tools and preparation to develop meaningful careers in the creative arts.”

Read on to discover where you can catch some of our talented Meadows family next month in NYC.

Sunday December 4:
Chad Hoopes

• Professor of practice in violin Chad Hoopes will perform Handel and Vivaldi at Lincoln Center
• An additional performance will be held on December 6.

Tuesday, December 13:
Xi Wang

• Associate professor of music composition and theory Xi Wang will have a new original composition performed at Carnegie Hall by the Philadelphia Orchestra

Wednesday, December 14:
Tashima Thomas

• Assistant art history professor Tashima Thomas has a major exhibition in Tribeca titled Flora Fantastic: Eco-Critical Contemporary Botanical Art
• Thomas’ exhibition will run at the Tribeca gallery from November 4 to December 23, every Tuesday through Saturday.

Thursday, December 15:
John Holiday

• Alum John Holiday (B.M. ’07) will be performing in the opera The Hours at the Metropolitan Opera
• The Hours will have multiple performances during the month of December, including shows on December 1, 4, 7, 10 and 15.

Friday, December 16:
Aaron Boyd

• Faculty members Aaron Boyd, chair of strings and director of chamber music, and Pierre Lapointe, adjunct associate professor of viola, will be performing Bach at Lincoln Center

It's no surprise that all of these exciting events are taking place in NYC considering how fundamental the art scene is to the city, and that is firmly upheld in the seventh Arts Vibrancy Index Report. The official report, compiled by the SMU DataArts team, will be released during this week of events, and shows the New York-Jersey City-White Plains area returning as one of the most vibrant arts communities inTop 20 Large Communities category. This ranking was determined by the level of arts providers, arts dollars, and government support of the arts, based on the most recent data available.

In addition to all of the Meadows-affiliated events in this art-focused metropolis, alum Jim Houghton (M.F.A. ’86) has been honored posthumously for his contributions to the New York arts. Houghton, who passed away in 2016, was the Director of Drama at the Juilliard School, as well as the founder and director of the Signature Theatre. As a tribute to him and his incredible work in the industry, the city renamed W 42nd Street, home to Signature Theatre, “Jim Houghton Way” last month. Dean Holland plans to visit the street, with its new sign, to pay respects to Houghton.

Wherever they land, it’s clear Meadows faculty, staff, students and alumni make an impact. We are so proud of our Meadows family and all that they accomplish, within the walls of the SMU campus and beyond.