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Meadows’ Armstrong Artist-in-Residence in Ballet, Silas Farley, was tapped to choreograph and present at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½’s Center for Faith and Learning (CFL) annual symposium on Tuesday, April 8. The “Faith & the Arts” themed event, which will take place in the Bob Hope Theatre of the Owen Arts Center, will be a fast-moving, diverse, multimedia experience that will delve into how different forms of creative expression can reflect one's faith and enhance their spiritual journey.

The interactive event will expand beyond dance to include other artistic disciplines as well. On stage, Farley will be joined by current and former ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ student dancers, singers, and musicians, as well as current music faculty members, to reconstruct performances of past ballets in a new and fresh way.

“We have such a rich artistic community in Meadows and I wanted to include artists from multiple departments to bring these ballets to life,” says Farley. “Over the course of the evening, I will share about my experiences as an artist and person of faith, delving into the spiritual ideas embedded in my choreography [as well as] how my spiritual life informs my work as a ballet teacher here at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½.”

Farley’s faith has been intertwined with his time at Meadows since he joined the faculty in 2020. He began attending the ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ faculty and staff Bible study led by CFL’s Director Dr. Matthew Wilson and quickly connected with the campus organization. This past fall, Farley invited Wilson to attend an event he was leading at All Saints Dallas about the intersection of ballet and his faith. The Director was inspired by Farley’s presentation and invited him to produce a similar event for this year's CFL Spring Symposium under the banner of “Faith & The Arts.”



The fall event at All Saints Dallas was not the first time Farley’s combined interest in dance and faith has intersected. He first encountered dance in the context of worship at his family's church in his hometown of Charlotte, NC. With that foundation, he has always participated in dance as a form of embodied prayer even more than thinking of it as a performance.

“My life of faith has shaped my artwork, and my artwork has shaped my life of faith,” explains Farley, who has choreographed many ballets with sacred music and themes. “I hope that the audience will be nourished by the event, allowing the beauty of the movement and music to strengthen them on their unique paths.”

The event is a signature of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½’s Center for Faith and Learning with past Symposiums highlighting themes like “Faith & Public Life” which was hosted by former House Speaker Paul Ryan, “Faith & Artificial Intelligence,” “Faith & Mental Health” and “Faith & the Free Market.” 

The “Faith & the Arts” Symposium will demonstrate how dance performance, choreography and pedagogy can be powerful expressions of his Christian faith. In addition to dance, this exploration of the connection between faith and the arts will also feature music and film as reflections on how creative vocation relates to faith.

“Through music, visual arts, and performance, we want [attendees] to see how artistic expression can deepen their spiritual journey,” says Jenna Stegemoller, event organizer and Office Coordinator for ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½’s Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life. “We hope it sparks meaningful conversations, new perspectives and a greater appreciation for how faith can be lived out through the arts.”

For more information and to register for this year’s Symposium, please