Bob is a musician, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in advertising and marketing. He brings 20 years of experience as executive director of a nonprofit company providing “edutainment” to over 1.6 million elementary students on a variety of health and safety topics. He served as Director of Marketing and Communications for Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts from 2010 until 2020 when he became executive director. As such, he has guided UPHA through the changes that have taken place.

Emmaline was born in Michigan and grew up in Saudi Arabia. She discovered live performance and theater at an early age and began writing songs while studying piano and guitar. She added music and media production when she got her first mic and recording software. She is presently a student at BYU and began in-terning with UPHA in February 2024. Her skills as a musician and singer and her aptitude for music production quickly blossomed into video editing. She now serves as our Production Assistant.

Jenalyn received her bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in business in 2013. Since then, she has written a few novel drafts, multiple short stories, and five screenplays. Her first foray into business writing was in 2022 when she joined her local HOA’s Board of Trustees, where she helped launch a new website, wrote flyers and notices, and conducted a home-owner survey. Jenalyn joined UPHA in late 2024 after taking a credited course in grant writing.

Sam Payne is a nationally recognized Master Storyteller, published author, singer/songwriter, entertainer, radio personality and arts educator. His gift for capturing imagery in prose is further amplified by his collaboration with (and marriage to) Suzanne Christensen (Payne). He has breathed life into the characters of many of our stories, and given our Creative Director, Clive Romney, and our team of songwriters the imagery they needed to make these stories unforgettable.

Suzanne Christensen has directed The Acting Company, a children’s theater company dedicated to the performance of Shakespeare by actors between the ages of 3 and 18. Her company has performed at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. She has done extensive work as a writer and vocal coach for storytellers and actors. Suzanne is a sought-after lecturer on Shakespeare and his world and has directed and presented storytelling events for live audiences and for radio.

Hayley sings with bands big and small around Salt Lake City and came to us to become our spokesperson. She has graced us with the vocal on a Christmas song that she co-wrote with percussionist (and big band enthusiast) Todd Sorensen. Hayley adds the cheery smile to our website on nearly all our descriptive videos. She is a joy to work with and even more of a joy to watch perform. We’re so glad she is on our team.

Among our cherished singer/songwriters, Cherie has written eleven songs so far for UPHA . She wrote and sang “I Built a Pearl” for our Saga of the Sanpitch album, during which she discovered two of her own ancestors! She wrote and sang “Watercolors” for our Echoes of Hammers and Spikes album, an emotional tribute to Theodore Judah from his wife’s perspective. Her songs have appeared in various films, have won awards, and been released on 10 albums (so far). She has taught songwriting at colleges and universities and is a member of Utah supergroup, The Lower Lights. While she could well have risen to celebrity status, she bills herself gladly as a “stay-at-home songwriter” and we’re so glad she stayed.

Arguably the most famous of our team members, Ryan is known for his leadership of the musical group “RubberBand”, which tours all over. Winning over live audiences has been Ryan’s natural-born talent since childhood. After signing with Capitol Records, he and the band hit #13 on Billboard’s US Country Album Chart with their signature album, Dream Big. Their title track from that album continues to be an audience favorite and has garnered over 2.1 million streams on Spotify. Ryan has written four songs for UPHA and performed on fiddle, mandolin and vocals as a member of the folk ensemble on the world premiere live recording of “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait” in 2015.

Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter with a broad palette of sounds and styles. With a B.M. from Berklee School of Music and a M.M. in Music Technology from Southern Utah University, he is currently teaching at Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ryan is a Utah state champion on banjo, guitar and mandolin as well as a winner of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition. He is an in-demand studio musician for clients around the world. While we met him during his days at S.U.U., we gladly reach him remotely these days.

Marvin is Sam Payne’s dad! That might say enough if you know Sam (or any of his seven siblings), but Marvin’s creative roots run deep. Back in the seventies, he released a dozen albums of original songs and toured the country extensively as a solo concert artist. His preferred musical style is folk. In the eighties, he entered the world of theatre and film. His acting has shown up on the Disney Channel, the major networks, and PBS. He is a familiar lead at Sundance. In the nineties he focused increasingly on creative projects for children, working with MacMillan/McGraw Hill on their Share the Music series. Marvin is one of our
dearest teammates.

This world famous and ever-growing group of young singers first contributed to our story/song content among the Quaking Aspen trees near Fish Lake, singing “We Have Changed the World”. Their most famed performance for UPHA took place at the Territorial Statehouse Museum in Fillmore, Utah; “I’m Still Here” is a tribute to that venerable building that was to be a monument to the pioneering spirit of the Utah Territory, but was abandoned as progress moved the state capitol to Salt Lake City. The song pays honor to the hundreds of stories that you can find in a visit to that beautiful building. They also sing “This Stupendous Project” on our Echoes of Hammers and Spikes album.

Nic began performing in his hometown of Toquerville, Utah, when he was just three years old. An eager musical student, he began playing the drums when he was eight years old and immediately fell in love. As Nic grew, he learned enough guitar to accompany himself. Before leaving home, he sang harmonies in a barbershop quartet. Nic spent his 20s pursuing a legal education and starting a family. Keeping music as his “Plan B”, Nic has recorded albums and toured with several bands. He helps UPHA with songwriting and occasional vocals recorded remotely. He wrote and performed “Crazy Judah” on our Echoed of Hammers and Spikes project.

Tammy won her first talent contest at the age of two and a half years. She began writing her own songs as a teen. She graduated from Weber State University with a degree in Music Education and with a few years of teaching in the public schools behind her, Tammy branched out on her own to become a private voice teacher. Tammy’s voice has been heard on hundreds of recordings including three solo albums of original songs and hymn arrangements. Her albums have garnered her two Pearl Awards, Sacred Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. We are proud to include her as both writer and singer for UPHA.

In her own words, Kate is “Inspired by old music, from when our stories were kept alive in songs and our memories were triggered by a tune, before music became background sound in elevators and at gas pumps. I carry on with the warmth of a singable melody and a lyric that says a lot.” She was awarded “Best of the West” by the Far-West division of Folk Alliance International. Kate has written two songs for UPHA so far; “Tend Each Other’s Lives” appeared on Valley of the Trails; “The Days of Widtsoe” is part of the forthcoming Garfield County collection, Color Country Classics.

Mike has been one of our go-to talents to bring the pioneer/folk sound to our story/songs. He has written songs for several of our projects and performed at festivals and events across the state where UPHA has been involved. His particular skills on clawhammer banjo give special flavor to the folksongs we have produced over the years. Mike has sung and played on a number of projects for UPHA.

Nancy negotiated with her mom to switch from piano lessons to guitar at age twelve and took to it easily learning songs by her favorite artists. She worked her way through college playing those cover songs. Her singer/songwriter talents won her prizes at an assortment of contests, and she has performed in Nashville, New York, Texas, and all over Utah to adoring crowds. She has written and sung for several of our projects and performed at our festivals and events.

Cori began turning her poems into songs when her mother gave her a guitar for Christmas back when she was a child. She didn’t write songs seriously until she was married and became a mother. She studied songwriting and describes it as 7% talent and 93% drive. Her work, however, speaks to an enormous talent for capturing pictures and emotions in her words and music. She has written and sung “Comin’ Round the Horn” for our Echoes album, “Papa Hold On”, and “On My Knees”, one of our most treasured songs. She is one of our most cherished teammates.

A multiple award-winning entertainer, owner of the NashWest brand, radio host and brand ambassador, Mary Kaye Holt tours extensively with her unique brand of western roots music as a solo performer or with the group, Gone with the West. Her music is a compelling mix of humorous storytelling. Mary Kaye wrote and recorded “Some Beauty Never Ends” for UPHA, and she and her daughters Millie and Cecilia recorded “A Mystery Still” on our Valley of the Trails Artbook/CD.

Debra Fotheringham is a singer-songwriter, writer, and poet originally from American Fork, Utah. She has released three studio albums of original folk/roots music. In addition to her solo work, she is a member of the bluegrass/gospel/country collective The Lower Lights. Her voice and songs have been featured on AMC’s Hell on Wheels, The CW’s Dynasty reboot, and the PBS program Road Trip Nation. Her poetry has been published in Headstuff, the CorkWords Anthology, and the 2023 Montpelier PoemCity Anthology. Debra wrote and recorded “The Thistle’s Thorn” for UPHA’s Echoes of Hammers and Spikes project.

Nicole’s musical journey began with a child’s creativity and imagination. Nicole taught herself how to play the piano by age 13, with the guitar following when she was 19. She writes her songs in the genre of “life” – from the roller coaster ride of the dating world to learning to trust in God more. Nicole has been featured on EFY 2014 and EFY 2010, singing “I Am His Daughter. She collaborated with Ryan Innes on a song for a contest we sponsored.

Ryan was raised in the traditional musical environment of a small town. As a youth, he was classically trained on piano and sang in a Boys Choir and local church musical groups. It was his introduction to R&B music that ignited his love for the emotional connection music can make. Ryan sang in the BYU vocal group, Vocal Point and became a featured soloist. He won critical acclaim and a strong fanbase during his appearance on the television show, The Voice. Since then, returning to Utah, he has collaborated with Nicole Sheahan on a song for a contest we sponsored. He also co-wrote and sang on “You Still Haven’t Done It All”, a song we produced for Kane County’s tourism department.

Doug writes “Working man” songs. He’s a thoughtful writer whose lyrics will draw you in (perhaps a “winch” is a good metaphor for that). When we gave him the story from Kane County about a boy who got in trouble for wearing unauthorized clothing to a town dance, he came up with the playful “Storebought Pants” that has become one of the favorites off that Legacy album, along with “The Rollaway Saloon”. He also cut to the core motivation for the railroad workers of our Echoes of Hammers and Spikes project by writing “Blowin’ Things Up!” He’s a treasure to have on our team.

Tim is a member of two country groups; Due West and the Nashville Tribute Band. His songs have made the Top 20 Charts on Great American Country (GAC). He once worked as a social worker with disabled people and believes that music has the power to help people heal. (We couldn’t agree more!). He wrote “Miss Mary’s Vacation Bible School” for our Valley of the Trails Legacy album, and “My Kind of People” for the upcoming Garfield County Legacy album.

We cannot separate these two talented artists; they are both the driving force behind the inspirational country band, Joshua Creek. Quint is a publisher, writer, musician, lyricist, content creator, and professor. His day job is at BYU where he teaches Content Creation and explores new media with his students. He holds a B.A. in journalism from BYU and an M.A. in communications from Pepperdine University. His personalized license plate reads “ADHDPHD” – a fitting description of this multi-talented man who relaxes after work tending his beehives (you read that correctly). Jeff is the lead singer/front man for the band. Described as “a cross between James Taylor and John Denver,” Jeff’s unique solo vocal style, guitar playing, songwriting, storytelling and mix of cover tunes and original songs will take you back to the days of the singer/songwriter. Together they have written “Where the Red River Runs” for UPHA and have graced our studio on many occasions.

Ron studied music composition and production at BYU. He founded the Jazz Ranch
recording studio with Sam Cardon. Ron moved to Nashville where he composed music extensively for television. He has won Telly and Emmy awards for his work. In 2011, Ron returned to BYU as an adjunct professor. He also plays in Joshua Creek and co-wrote with Quint and Jeff on the above-mentioned song.

Austin Weyand is a passionate musician who is sought after as a performer, composer, arranger, and educator. He has run the gamut of performing situations from playing guitar concertos with symphony orchestras, jazz jam sessions in Chicago, bluegrass and Celtic music on a tour through Europe, a rock band throughout the intermountain west, to Spanish Flamenco for an 8-week run of the U.S. Premiere of Zorro the Musical. He co-wrote “Honorable Road” for our Echoes of Hammers and Spikes project and is one of our studio guitarists – a treasured teammate.

Michael’s style of indie rock has won him a place in several bands and garnered him recording contracts. His songs have appeared in film and TV, some with a rock & roll feel, others with a hint of his Native American roots. His most notable contribution to UPHA is the song, “Black Cloud” co-written with Rena Pikyavit and recorded for our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” project. It is a powerful commentary on the cruel consequences of the Intercontinental Railway on the Tribal Nations of that era.

One of the most credentialed members of our team, Dr. Melissa J Hinton is a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner with board certifications in Family Medicine, Substance Use Disorders, and training in both Acute and Pain Medicine. Dr. Hinton has been instrumental in winning monumental legislation in the past several years for patient choice of providers and access to healthcare in Utah. She was raised in Southern Utah and has been a featured musician in the southwestern states as a vocalist and pianist as well as acting in musical theater. Melissa sang “The Ancient Ones” on our “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait” album, and “Zion, You’ll Remember Me” for our partners in the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area.

Rena is from the Kanosh Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, and helps UPHA with the stories of Utah’s First Nation. She co-wrote “Black Cloud” with Whisperhawk (Michael Gross) for our Echoes of Hammers and Spikes project, and wrote “Unbreakable”, the story and song about her father, who was one of the famous Navajo Code Talkers of WW2. Rena and her daughter, Emily Pikyavit, are treasured members of our team.

JoLynne shares yarns from yesterday, as well as real-life experiences of ranching and farming in Central Utah, where she and her husband raise fruit, calves, and small bale alfalfa hay. Her works have been featured in anthologies, magazines, and radio broadcasts. Her song, “Wooden Shoe Man”, is featured on our “Valley of the Trails” Legacy album, as is her cowboy poem, “Mornin’ at the Post” which she narrates in her particular Utah twang.

C.R. wrote “Hundred-Mile Horses” for our upcoming Garfield County Legacy album. It is a story about those who helped Butch Cassidy and saw him as a “Robin Hood” rather than an outlaw. C.R.’s particular gift for painting pictures with words takes the listener on the journey as the hero in the story provides special getaway horses for Butch and his gang. C.R. is a true treasure on our team.

Emily performed with our Mormon Heritage Festival group, a project done in conjunction with Snow College’s musical performance department. Her commanding stage presence elevated the song, “Unbreakable” as a stand-out in that show. She co-wrote “If You Knew My Heart”, a song about the Circleville Massacre from our upcoming Legacy album for Piute County.

Kristen joined us as an intern a few years back, but quickly branched into an inspiration for many needed changes in our graphic world. She designed our new logo complete with animation. She has written songs, played and sang in our studio, and advised us in the ever-changing world of social media marketing. Best known for her song, “Found My Brave”, she is a survivor, wife, mother of two, and undaunted creative soul. She has written two children’s books, puts on “Find Your Brave” school assemblies, and is a multi-talented performer, speaker, and Creative Courage Coach.

Long-time friend of UPHA, Tom performed in Enoch Train, (Clive’s critically acclaimed folk ensemble) on guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, harmonica, and percussion. Tom has recorded many times in Clive’s studio and performed at festivals and events for UPHA. He also lent his talents by designing the artisan artbooks for our Legacy Series CDs – a collection of stories gathered for Utah counties; “Saga of the Sanpitch”, “Valley of the Trails”, and “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait”. He also co-wrote “A Mystery Still” to lend his Native American perspective. Tom is a true team player.

Barry is an award-winning advertising art director and graphic designer. He was
instrumental in making our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” book visually attractive,
informative, and thoroughly enjoyable and sang “Big Country” on that album.

Greg’s love for music began on piano, then bass, then branched out to the banjo. He has played in several bands and has written songs for other artists. He has produced seven albums plus two Christmas albums, each receiving significant airplay. Greg’s musical style is considered Folk and Americana. He introduced UPHA to the famous Scandinavian Heritage Festival and, with his love of history, has written and recorded songs for us about the Mormon Battalion.

Nino has been delivering authentic Native American dances and stories for decades. His skills on the flute lend color and texture to many of our indigenous songs. He has become the chief contractor for bringing tribal talent to festivals and events all over the state, adding narrations to the dance groups that provide depth and connection to non-native audiences. We treasure our friendship with Nino and continue to bring him into our creative circles when the story requires that special feeling.

Gary Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University. He served many years as Education Director for the Piute Indian Tribe of Utah. An accomplished native flutist, he shares Paiute traditions through traditional regalia, stories and flute music. Tom has lectured extensively and has presented historical and musical programs throughout the country. His knowledge of traditional flute melodies has made him a valuable asset in both writing and recording flute on many of UPHA’s Native American songs.

The 7th Infantry Regimental Brass Band was organized in 1990 as a special feature of the “Festival of the American West.” Outfitted in Federal Army uniforms of the Civil War period and playing brass music from 19th century America on antique and semi-antique instruments, the band has participated in parades, historical reenactments, television and movie productions, dances, school assemblies and ceremonies for 25 years. Clive recorded an album for them in exchange for access to their authentic brass band music.

Quinn is a community organizer for Escalante and his family band entertains regularly at events. He wrote “Waltz Across the 50”, a cowboy lament, for the upcoming Garfield County Legacy album.

Mark plays tuba, bass, and a variety of other musical instruments. He played in the launch concert for “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait” Legacy book/album and has done studio work for UPHA on many occasions.

Aaron co-wrote “Honorable Road” with Austin Weyand for our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” project.

Mike’s musical background keeps him in high demand and we were able to secure him for a song about the Mormon Battalion.

Wes co-wrote “Heart of a Pioneer” for UPHA.

Todd co-wrote “Lost in the Whistling Wind” for our Clarion 100 project about the
centennial celebration of the Jewish farming settlement in central Utah.

Ken co-wrote and sang the theme song for our “Valley of the Trails” Legacy artbook/CD.

Curtis is a regular in our studio and has accompanied us on stage countless times.

Issac and Becca are both incredibly talented people; he is our most revered videographer, and she is a gifted violinist who plays in the Orchestra on Temple Square. Isaac braved a trip in a snowcat up into the winter mountains to film “Get Us Over This Mountain” and turned that story/song into a powerful mini movie. He is also responsible for our full-length concert video, “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait” – the launch concert of our Kanab County Legacy Series. Becca has recorded multiple violin parts in our studio. We treasure our relationship with these two talented people.

Ted is a retired advertising executive, having most recently worked for Welti and Call Advertising. He is our advisor for all things advertising and marketing, particularly in the areas of online marketing. He served as Print Production Manager for our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” project. Ted was an integral part of putting the book in the hands of those who will enjoy it. His advice and expertise on this monumental project have been invaluable. That continues (though he’s off traveling the world now and then).

Lisa has been a friend and advisor since the early years of UPHA. She has had years of experience helping companies and clients cut through the clutter and raise their visibility through public relations and has done the same for us. She brought her unique talent to our Echoes of “Hammers and Spikes” project and wrote the song, “A Journey Through Wonderland” for that album. That project expands the story from the invention of the steam engine all the way out to the consequences (both heroic and tragic) of constructing railroad lines across the American continent.

At 16 years of age, Kay won first prize in the Utah State Fair piano competition. Maurice Abravanel, conductor of the Utah Symphony, invited her to perform as piano soloist with the orchestra. She received a music scholarship and graduated from the University of Utah with a BS degree in Music Education. Kay has composed more than 300 piano, instrumental, orchestral, chamber and vocal works. Much of her music is in the broadcast rotation on radio station KBYU-FM in Provo, Utah. She wrote and recorded “Clarion Call” for our Clarion 100 project, the centennial celebration of the Jewish farming community in central Utah.

Eileen works as the Nebo Title VI Indian Education Coordinator in Utah, and sits on the Board of Directors of Adopt a Native Elder program. Her time is filled with incredible projects working with these two programs. Last year, all of the native students in her program graduated. In her own words, “Working with children and elders inspires me daily to be a better person. Children teach us to be inquisitive, always learning, living life fully. Elders teach us about humility, and gratitude; they are the wisdom-keepers of our traditional ways.” She wrote “The Ancient Ones” for our “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait” project.

Merrill Jenson has composed film scores for over thirty films many of which were directed by Academy Award-winning director Kieth Merrill. Jenson has also composed several concert productions including a symphony that premiered at Carnegie Hall. He composed UPHA’s first orchestral work for Kanab’s Symphony of the Canyons for their world premiere in 2015 of “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait”, a work for narrator, choir, folk ensemble and orchestra. The themes within that piece incorporated musical vignettes from songs written by ten other songwriters on that project.

Dr. Pond is the author of books and articles on music theory, digital and electronic music, pedagogy, music education, jazz, music for theatrical dance, and music in the home. He has over 300 works listed in the ASCAP catalog, including historical works based on Americana, jazz big band & combo compositions, symphonies, cantatas, concert suites, commercial projects, and solo pieces. Over 200 of his works are in a special collection in the Harold B. Lee Library. Marden wrote “To Hallowed Ground – a Pilgrimage” for our Clarion 100 project about the centennial celebration of the Jewish farming community in central Utah.

Postumus recognition goes to this beloved musician from southern Utah who wrote “Be Kind to Your Cowboy” for our “A Canyon Peoples’ Portrait” Legacy album.

Mark co-wrote “Robber’s Roost” for the upcoming Garfield County Legacy album.

Gary wrote “Can’t Just Rein Her In” for our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” project and recorded most of the instruments.

Often referred to as “Utah’s Storyteller”, Ken is a documentary filmmaker whose works have appeared on PBS. Quoting from an article in The Deseret News, May 27, 2007, “There is an adage that journalists write the first draft of history. Verdoia views his career as the opportunity to write the next draft, and he relishes that, because his job is his hobby. He loves history the way most men love football.” Ken’s work has earned him 17 Emmy awards. His documentaries have been added to the curriculum of some 200 colleges and universities. He is a treasured storytelling teammate and we are proud to have his words in the introduction to our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” book/album.

Todd is the “go to” guy for drums for UPHA. He’s intuitive – once he hears the song, he knows what we want for the drum part and can usually deliver it in very few takes. He’s the Utah equivalent to “the studio cat” and we’re thrilled to have him on our team.

Brett is an all-around musician, with an emphasis on keyboards. He has played with some of the greats in the business, recorded in Nashville, toured extensively, and now (finally) has settled down here in Utah, much to the enjoyment of audiences around the state. He co-wrote “Panguitch Lake” for our upcoming Garfield County Legacy album. His particular talent gives space when he accompanies someone. That is evidenced in the song, “Watercolors” where the piano part gently caresses the vocal melody, giving way to the emotions of the lyrics.

Jay toured with Enoch Train for years as their drummer/percussionist. He is known for being an all-around musician, composer, arranger, clinician, and educator. He has been voted the “Best Drummer in Utah” and “Utah’s Favorite Jazz Drummer.” He co-wrote “That’s What Christmas is For” with Hayley Kirkland and has been a regular in our studio for an assortment of percussion needs. Jay is a valuable member of our team.

Monte has been a member of the Mt. Pleasant City Council for over 20 years and was instrumental in creating the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area – a six-county designation to shine a spotlight on Historic Highway 89 and the towns that sprung up as Utah was first settled. As director, Monte chose UPHA as their Official Interpretive Affiliate, to tell the stories of those towns and the people who were and are instrumental in Utah’s heritage. Together, we have worked with dozens of the MPNHA’s key players to create stories, songs, videos, and live performances.

David became an advocate for our Sevier County Legacy album at our very first meeting with him. He even co-wrote the theme song. A true lover of history, David was key in establishing more visibility for the Old Spanish Trail that runs through the county. That trail history spawned several stories that we have produced in songs and videos. He has been an advocate for our work both in and outside of Sevier County.

Abe served as Millard County Commissioner and continues to serve on the board of the Great Basin National Heritage Area. He and the Friends of the Territorial Statehouse have hired us for festivals and events in Millard County since the earliest days of UPHA. He enabled us to shoot one of our most popular story/song/videos, “I’m Still Here”, featuring the One Voice Children’s Choir. It commemorates the Old Territorial Statehouse and its role as the intended state capitol, now a museum that we affectionately call “The hundred story building.”

Joan caught the vision of our “Echoes of Hammers and Spikes” project at our first meeting and committed the seed money to get us started. Promontory Point is one of the important landmarks in Box Elder County and the “Spike 150” committee recommended that we meet Joan because of her dedication to history. She remains one of our dearest teammates.

Jay takes the story for the Henry Lunt Family and tells of the miracle in that life with the song, “I Can See Now”. Jay is the story curator and writer for Iron County.

Neil brought the story of Hilda Anderson Erickson to us early in 2024. Hilda was the last known surviving Mormon pioneer and celebrated frontierswoman most famous in Grantsville. She was six and half years old in 1866 when her family emigrated from Ledsjo, Sweden to Tooele County in Utah. The breadth of her life’s endeavors led us to write the song, “Step Outta My Way” to honor Hilda’s drive and determination. She and her husband served a mission with the Gosiute Indians. She was an avid seamstress, obstetrician, dentist, and storekeeper – a real multi-tasker! We thank Mayor Critchlow for his help in gathering this story.

This delightful couple has helped introduce UPHA to the residents of northern Utah through this annual event. Clive has been a resident storyteller and singer for many years.

When the historic Grantsville church that local heroine Hilda Anderson Erickson attended was in danger of being torn down because it needed significant renovation, Macae Wanberg and her husband Kelly did the unexpected and courageous (pioneer) thing. They sold their home, bought the church, and moved in! The restoration is an ongoing project of love. When UPHA needed a place to premiere our song honoring Hilda Anderson Erickson, and needed a trio of backup singers to sing with our uber-talented intern Emmaline Cobia, Macae came to the rescue. Macae Wanberg has rescued many Grantsville events, artists, and patrons thirsty for great art through her commitment to historical preservation through the arts.

Dr. B. C. Sun is the Founding Executive Director of Little Bloomsbury Foundation and Little Bloomsbury Historic Hotel & Gallery. Her passions are to work and grow with promising future leaders of the Little Bloomsbury Internship Program in community building and business development, and to hone her skills in writing historical fiction of war-torn Confucius China. We look forward to developing projects that parallel her work.

Our “can-do” camera expert and Cine-Doc specialist: http://byronkirkland.com

Color Red Media: www.colorredmedia.com

Judd Film Production: www.juddfilmproductions.com

Motion Picture, Music, Screenwriting, and more: jacen.brewer@gmail.com