Student Life
Opportunities through USC Kaufman
At USC Kaufman, the collaborative environment fosters constant interaction among faculty and peers, and allows opportunities to engage with USC’s international and diverse community. Students have the option to join student-run organizations or collectives (such as the SCCC), participate in the Student Advisory Board, conduct community outreach through Kaufman Connections, serve as Kaufman Student Ambassadors and much more. Many BFA students also work for USC Kaufman in operations, production, student services, advancement and communications.
USC Housing
USC Kaufman students are guaranteed USC housing for two years. They live in residential colleges alongside faculty members who assist with the transition to college life. USC has dorms, suites and apartments from which to choose. Students can choose to live with other dancers or with students in other majors.
Activities on Campus
Students can choose from several activities at USC to enrich their lives beyond the classroom. These opportunities include joining one or several of USC’s 850 student clubs and organizations, as well as attending free cultural events such as Visions & Voices. Students can also participate in wellness classes like yoga and meditation, enjoy recreational sports, become a part of USC Greek life, use campus workout facilities and support a variety of USC Trojan sports teams.
Life in Los Angeles
In a cultural hub like Los Angeles, students have the ability to venture off-campus and enjoy food, art, nature and culture. Students often take public transportation to local beaches or use ride-share services to explore what the city has to offer—from outdoor concerts to live show tapings. Los Angeles’ robust entertainment industry offers a range of commercial dance opportunities for which students can audition. Students can also take classes at nearby dance studios, such as EDGE, Millennium and Playground LA. The concert scene is just as vibrant in Los Angeles. Local and international dance companies perform at nearby venues, including our partner The Music Center, giving students even more opportunities to experience professional dance firsthand.
Relevant News
Having a Traditional College Experience
My experience as a student at USC has truly been incomparable to all other experiences throughout my life. Having the opportunity to pursue a BFA at USC Kaufman has given me constant inspiration and joy. My experience has been enhanced greatly through the ability we have to maintain aspects of a traditional college experience as well.
Kaufman Connections returns with an in-person showcase
This semester, Kaufman Connections returned to fully in-person instruction. This community engagement initiative brings the choreographic process with a focus on hip-hop to the 32nd Street Elementary School. BFA students from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance work as teaching artists to give weekly, one-hour dance classes to the elementary school students.
Southern California Choreographic Collective creates community through choreography
The Southern California Choreographic Collective (SCCC) is a student-led organization. They have four main pillars: highlight student choreography, create space for students to present work, use dance as a means to create community, and promote collaboration.
Working at USC Kaufman
The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance offers students a multitude of job opportunities that complement our busy schedules and varied interests. On-campus jobs are a great way to build a resume and make some money while in school. USC Kaufman often hires students with Work Study and students who are studying dance.
Day in the Life: Freshman Year
Entering my first semester here at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, I expected a pretty busy schedule in the best way. It sure did deliver! As a dance major, I was so excited to merge both my academics and dance throughout the day.
Day in the life: Sophomore Year
A day in the life of a sophomore USC Kaufman student is filled with both dance and academic classes. Through the BFA Core, we gain a foundation in technique, performance and composition, combined with courses in history, theory and more. In addition, we get a well-rounded liberal arts education through the university’s General Education (GE) and Writing program.
Day in the Life: Junior Year
At USC Kaufman, you are able to pick from a variety of concentrations, and that choice informs what classes you take as you progress through your last two years. I have always wanted to dance in a contemporary company, which is why I declared dance performance as a concentration.
Day in the Life: Senior Year
Senior year was a whirlwind. Between traveling for auditions, finishing up GE courses, and starting a minor, there was never a dull moment. This is a day in my life as as senior at USC Kaufman!
Student Blog: Leadership Opportunities at USC Kaufman
USC Kaufman offers a multitude of leadership opportunities. BFA dance majors can represent their class in the Student Advisory Board, teach young students in the community, work with administration, or facilitate their own senior project. We asked a few students about their leadership roles here at USC Kaufman.
The USC Kaufman Community
At my USC orientation, the orientation leaders kept telling me that USC would soon begin to feel like home. But I had no idea just how close I would be with this new family. Now, in my third year here, I can say that my community has created such an inclusive and inspiring home.
Living and learning in Los Angeles
At USC Kaufman, we are lucky to be surrounded by the rich Los Angeles community, with such diverse attractions. The environment can truly inspire your artistic brain, or it can give you a break from the rigor of the curriculum.
Extracurricular Activities: Getting involved at USC as a BFA student
In addition to dance technique classes, rehearsals and academic coursework, USC Kaufman’s BFA students are involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. With over 1,000 student organizations to choose from, there is no shortage of opportunities to pursue one’s interests, take on leadership roles and make an impact at USC.
Student Blog: Creating a second home at USC as an international student
Traveling approximately 8,000 miles away from Mumbai, India was a brave decision for both my family and myself. I thought I’d have to fit in to the “American culture.” I did not expect USC to have so many opportunities and events for an international student like me to feel just like I am at home.
A dance conservatory in a university setting: USC Kaufman’s dual offerings
The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance BFA program was conceived with a conservatory-style emphasis on dance, but is embedded in a top-tier university. What exactly does this mean?
Student Blog: From the stage to the (Music Center) office
By Paulo Hernandez-Farella
While at USC, I have been pursuing a BFA in Dance, as one of 33 inaugural students who will be graduating in the spring of 2019. But what is incredibly unique about USC is that the incredible technical excellence instilled in every student is matched by the academia taught in world-famous research institution.