Why’d ya have to go and make things so complicated?
Finding Spiritual Simplicity Through Music
BYU Announces Special Musical Fireside with Honorary Alumnus Ryan Clifford, Newly Named “Ambassador of Arts and Culture”
Brigham Young University will host a unique and inspiring evening on May 5th from 7:00–9:00 PM in the BYU Special Collections at the Harold B. Lee Library featuring a special musical fireside with honorary alumnus Ryan Clifford, the university’s most recent recipient of the honorary title Ambassador of Arts and Culture.
This title recognizes individuals who use the arts to build meaningful bridges between culture, faith, and personal expression—highlighting Clifford’s distinctive ability to connect creative exploration with spiritual insight.
The fireside will bring together students and faculty for an evening that blends spoken word and live performance. Clifford will explore the spiritual power of music (in all genres) and its unique ability to bring peace in a variety of situations like the gym, vacation airbnb mishaps, and when that Sunday meal you’ve been planning all week doesn’t turn out quite right. His reflections promise to resonate with anyone navigating questions of identity, creativity, and belief.
In addition to speaking, Clifford will perform selections that are near and dear to his heart
Program will include:
“Complicated” by Avril Lavigne
“The Tide is High” by Missy Five from the Lizzie McGuire movie
“Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson
“Onward, Christian Soldiers” from the LDS hymnal
“Chasing Pavements” by Adele
“Glorious” by David Archuleta
“Where is my Husband” by Raye
“EFY Medley” by Michael R. Hicks
“Changed for Good” from Wicked by Stephen Schwarz (sung in duet with husband, Charlie Bird)
Audience participation will play a key role in the event. Attendees and fans are invited to submit song requests for Clifford to perform, with requests open through April 15th. Please submit these requests via Instagram DM to @itsryanclifford
Ryan is active in creating musical opportunities in his community, and now as part of his new partnership with BYU, one lucky participant will win the chance to perform the national anthem in duet with Clifford at the BYU Women’s Track & Field event on May 16th at Miller Park in Provo, Utah. Participants can enter a raffle by submitting a Ryan themed limerick here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2JQPZaJ0fL4PGhR4HDinxHRU4z065bxVu0xKmbMjQ5mrVbg/viewform?usp=dialog
Clifford on “Breakaway” - “This song reminds me of my potential and breaking through barriers of who I am and our society…Make a wish, take a chance, make a change… I feel that as I spread my wings I am supported by my faith, my family, and my husband, Charlie Bird.”
Clifford on the EFY Medley “A lot of people don’t know this about me but I listen to this song almost every Sunday. It’s like the first song on my Song of Sunday playlist. It’s also fun to harmonize with Charlie. I’ll let you guess who sings what.”
Clifford on “Where is my Husband” - “It’s not a spiritual connection. It’s just something I say to myself every time my husband, Charlie, is supposed to pick me up from anywhere.”
“I’ve always been passionate about sports, and I’m thrilled for this opportunity to support the Women’s Track and Field teams at BYU. My husband, Charlie, used to be a mascot there, and even though I didn’t go to BYU, his enthusiasm has turned me into a die-hard Cougar.”
