Anne Aubert-Santelli, Kyle Beasley, Elliot Scher

You’ll find lots of great information about our program by browsing our website, following us on Instagram and reading our student blog. As you research the school, however, you may find that you have a question that’s not addressed anywhere. Another great way to get to know USC Kaufman is to attend an on-campus, off-campus or virtual event. (You’ll find a list at https://kaufman.usc.edu/apply/admission-events/.) At one of these events, you’ll have the chance to meet one or several staff and/or faculty members, including members of our Admission Team.

Kyle, Elliott and I love hearing from prospective students. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need information! Come say hello if you see us in the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center or at your high school’s college fair. Part of why we do what we do is to connect with students like you! Know that we’re here to help you navigate the complicated dance admission process.

One of the best ways we get to know you is through the application process. As a part of your Common Application materials for USC, you’re required to complete a fun and often illuminating section called Quick Takes. You have to answer 10 brief prompts. There are no right or wrong answers and they play no role in your admission decision. Given that we make you complete the Quick Takes, we thought it was only fair that we have to answer them too—in the hopes that you can get to know us a little better.

Anne Aubert-Santelli, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Life
aubertsa@usc.edu

• Describe yourself in three words: Petite. French. Foodie.
• What is your favorite snack? Cheese.
• Best movie of all time: I much prefer TV to movies.
• Dream job: Associate Dean of Academic and Student Life at USC Kaufman (or professional miniaturist).
• If your life had a theme song, what would it be? “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
• Dream trip: Monaco to watch (on a yacht) the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix.
• What TV show will you binge watch next? All of them.
• Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? Marie Kondo.
• Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.
• If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be? How to be an adult (the class I wish I would have taken).

Kyle Beasley, Admission and Student Services Officer
kylebeas@usc.edu

• Describe yourself in three words: Community-minded, introvert.
• What is your favorite snack? Sour Patch (Watermelon or Peach)
• Best movie of all time: Black Panther
• Dream Job: Social Entrepreneur
• If your life had a theme song, what would it be? Little Wonders by Rob Thomas
• Dream Trip: Going back to Brazil to explore all the parts I missed the first time!
• What TV show will you binge watch next? The George Lopez Show
• Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? Seth Cohen from The OC
• Favorite Book: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Monson
• If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be? Fashion as a Means of Self-Expression

Elliott Scher, Admission and Student Services Officer
elliotms@usc.edu

• Describe yourself in three words. Creative, Adventurous, Humorous
• What is your favorite snack? The maple donut from Dulce at the USC Village is a fine product. One might say it’s a delicacy.
• Best movie of all time: “Aliens”. It taught me a lot about why I should not go to space.
• Dream job: I’d make a pretty good Disney Imagineer. I’ve been to every Disney park across the globe. Total fanboy.
• If your life had a theme song, what would it be? “The Ladies Who Lunch” from Stephen Sondheim’s Company.
• Dream trip: Singapore is on my bucket list. It’s also been a long time since I’ve been to a Cheesecake Factory.
• What TV show will you binge watch next? Next in my que is “The Crown”.
• Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate? Oprah and I would get along well. I’d make her buy all the paper towels and household cleaning supplies – she can afford it.
• Favorite book: Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris.
• If you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be? I’d be a pretty baller teacher for musical theatre song interpretation and audition technique.

I hope this gives you some insight into who we are—or at least just a good laugh.

By Anne Aubert-Santelli