Photo: USC Kaufman BFA Student Jessica Muszynsky | Photo by Rose Eichenbaum

Faculty News

Peter Chu, Ryan Phuong, Tiffany Bong and Max Pham sit on a panel

September 30, 2022

Seeing Representation in Dance Beyond the AAPI Monolith

On September 15, USC Kaufman partnered with USC Visions and Voices to host Beyond the Monolith: Representations of AAPI Artists in Dance, Part 1. This event was the first of a forthcoming series aimed at creating platforms of visibility for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) dance artists. It illuminated a broad spectrum of innovative approaches to dance, addressed AAPI artists’ struggles for equitable representation, and presented their call to action goals at USC Kaufman.

James Ady, Kelly Alvarez, Max Pham

September 1, 2022

Announcing New Faculty, Artists in Residence and Fall 2022 Repertory

This coming semester, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance offers students opportunities to engage with many renowned artists. Welcoming two new faculty members, James Ady and Kelly Alvarez will work with BFA and elective students, respectively. New Artist in Residence Max Pham also joins USC Kaufman this fall. For upcoming fall performances, BFA students of all classes will learn repertory from new Artists in Residence and current USC Kaufman faculty.

Dean Julia M. Ritter

August 16, 2022

A message from the Dean

Dance scholar Julia M. Ritter joined the University of Southern California as dean of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, beginning July 1. Click to read a welcome message from Dean Ritter about the school and its mission.

dancers on stage wearing full suits and hats

May 18, 2022

Spring 2022 Semester Recap

While continuing to navigate Covid related safety measures, Spring 2022 saw a complete return to in person instruction and events. This semester, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance presented many exciting performances, including their LA debut at The Wallis.

USC Kaufman students performing on stage.

April 12, 2022

Achinta S. McDaniel to debut “1947” at The Wallis

Achinta S. McDaniel, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance lecturer, considers her work as an Indian American choreographer to be contemporary. While her choreography employs some classical Indian elements, including Kathak, she views her work as a unique American creation. For the upcoming USC Kaufman debut at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, McDaniel created a new piece titled “1947” with the BFA first and second year students.

dancers throwing black suit jackets in the air

April 11, 2022

USC Kaufman to perform Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 16” at The Wallis

Lecturer Bret Easterling joined Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv, Israel after graduating from college. He danced with them for seven years under the art direction of Ohad Naharin. Once he left, Easterling began working as a stager of Naharin’s work for collegiate dance programs and companies. For the upcoming USC Kaufman debut at The Wallis, he is staging Naharin’s “Minus 16” with BFA juniors and seniors.

one dancer stands upright while a circle of dancer around her reach diagonally outwards. All are wearing white t-shirts and black pants

April 5, 2022

Tessandra Chavez sets commercial dance piece on BFA students

This semester, two-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer Tessandra Chavez set a new work on BFA students from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Her piece, titled “Big White Room,” will premiere at the USC Kaufman debut at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on April 21-23, 2022.