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PROVO — The Brigham Young University Folk Dance Ensemble is commemorating its 50th anniversary of international touring with an alumni reunion Saturday.
The BYU Folk Dance Ensemble was founded in 1956 by Mary Bee Jensen, now 97 years old. While working as a BYU instructor, Jensen funded the first international tour in 1964 using her own funds and now the program is one of the largest collegiate international dance programs in the world, according to a BYU news release.
Earlier this year, the ensemble performed at the Schoten, Belgium Festival, the same festival the very first group performed at on their first international tour.
During the 50 years of touring internationally, the BYU Folk Dance Ensemble has traveled to more than 40 countries, the news release said. The ensemble consists of 46 dancers, musicians and technicians who are students at BYU.
