BFA students in "1947" by USC Kaufman professor Achinta S. McDaniel | Photo by Rose Eichenbaum

USC Kaufman Professor Achinta S. McDaniel curates an immersive program that includes appearances by special guests Payal Kadakia, Aparna Ramaswamy, and Bushra Khan.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance will host its first-ever South Asian Summit on Dance, an evening celebrating the diverse and empowering voices of South Asian dance practitioners, on Thursday, October 3, from 7:30–9:30 PM at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center. Admission to the South Asian Summit on Dance is free. Advance registration is required.

The South Asian Summit on Dance features an insightful panel discussion moderated by Achinta S. McDaniel, lead curator of the summit and artistic director of Blue13 Dance Company. McDaniel is joined by special guests Aparna Ramaswamy, executive artistic director of Ragamala Dance Company; Payal Kadakia, artistic director of the Sa Dance Company and founder of ClassPass; Bushra Khan, dancer and choreographer; and Chase Constantino, choreographer and actor. The discussion centers on the diaspora of South Asian dance and uncovers the scarcity myth, creating dialogue around problems faced by the South Asian dance community. The panel follows with a Q&A with USC students and members of the LA dance community, along with an interactive dance experience for all attendees.

“We are inspired to hold space for dance makers, performers, and educators to explore the nuanced complexities of our identities and how it intersects with our approach to dance,” said McDaniel. “The summit is a night for us to come together and dive into the joyful discourse of South Asian dance while unveiling systemic inequities impacting the community.”

The evening concludes with a private reception, during which guests can enjoy light food and refreshments to the sounds of DJ Sandeep Kumar.

Registration is now open at kaufman.usc.edu. Seating is limited and registration is required. 

AAANHPI events at USC Kaufman School of Dance are generously funded in part by the Lau Family. 

All programs, performances, and guests subject to change.