Photo by Matt de la Pena

Dance luminaries including Misty Copeland, Kyle Abraham, Toni Basil, and Mandy Moore
to attend a celebration honoring philanthropist Glorya Kaufman’s transformative vision

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is set to celebrate a decade of excellence with a star-studded 10th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center. The event will honor philanthropist Glorya Kaufman, whose transformative vision made the school a reality, and mark a year-long celebration since the school’s inaugural cohort of BFA dance majors arrived in 2015. The Gala program, hosted by award-winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega, will take place at USC’s Bing Theatre prior to the dinner reception. The evening will feature a thrilling lineup of performances, special appearances, and surprise cameos from some of the biggest names in the world of dance and entertainment.

A highlight of the Gala program is the world-premiere film This is USC Kaufman, created by three-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer and director Mandy Moore. Produced by Jeff Thacker, (So You Think You Can Dance), the film will showcase the school’s artistic versatility and celebrate its place as USC’s newest arts school, with choreography by USC Kaufman faculty and contributions from the school’s talented students and alumni. A special performance will be followed by Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, and singer Wayne Brady, with choreography by Tony Testa. In addition, Coco Alvarez-Mena and Zach Manske, USC Kaufman alumni and stars of The Joffrey Ballet, will perform the duet Rendezvous, choreographed by Nicolas Blanc, Joffrey Rehearsal Director.

The Gala program will also feature a highly anticipated world premiere, created exclusively for the event, set to an original score composed by Academy Award winner Kris Bowers. The show concludes with an iconic reimagining of the closing number (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from the beloved film Dirty Dancing, choreographed by Dorianna Sanchez and Ortega, and performed by USC Kaufman’s exceptional dancers.

The Gala serves as a celebration of the school’s profound impact on dance education. The evening will include appearances from the school’s influential community, with award-winning producers Kenny Ortega, Anita Mann, and Jeff Thacker serving as advisory producers. Notable attendees will include Glorya Kaufman herself and dance and entertainment icons such as Misty Copeland, Mandy Moore, Kyle Abraham, Toni Basil, Kris Bowers, and Rachel S. Moore, President and CEO of The Music Center, Los Angeles. 

“The impact of USC Kaufman over the last ten years has been felt here in Los Angeles and communities across the world,” said USC Kaufman Dean Julia M. Ritter. “This celebration allows us to honor Glorya, whose extraordinary vision and generosity have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of dance education. This Gala will provide a chance to look back at a remarkable first decade all while looking forward to an even more dynamic future for the school.”

Kaufman’s gift in 2012 established the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, the university’s sixth art school and its first new art school in nearly 40 years. Her donation and vision for a conservatory-style dance program that rivals the world’s best has since come to fruition. The USC Kaufman School of Dance has quickly become a leader in dance education, offering a rigorous curriculum that combines conservatory-style training with a strong liberal arts foundation. The 54,000-square-foot Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center opened its doors in 2016, providing a state-of-the-art facility that has become a premier destination for dance education. The school’s innovative approach, known as “The New Movement,” combines artistic rigor with thoughtful industry access, preparing students to become versatile dancers and visionary leaders.

In just ten years, USC Kaufman graduates have secured contracts with prestigious dance companies including Ballet Austin, Ballet BC, Ballet Hispánico, Ballets Jazz Montréal, BalletX, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Gibney Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, LA Dance Project, Oregon Ballet Theatre, RUBBERBAND, Staatsballett Berlin, and Sydney Dance Company. Alumni have also performed at the Academy Awards, Super Bowl, in various films and commercials, at major music festivals, and on tour with artists including Kali Uchis, Olivia Rodrigo, and Jennifer Lopez.

The Honorary Committee for the Anniversary Gala is composed of celebrated artists from various fields, including choreography, theater, entrepreneurship, and dance performance. This diverse group reflects the school’s multifaceted approach to dance education. Committee members include Kyle Abraham, Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Sir Matthew Bourne OBE, Misty Copeland, Alonzo King, Sir Wayne McGregor CBE, Benjamin Millepied, Leslie Odom Jr., and Tiler Peck, among other distinguished artists.

Tickets for the 10th Anniversary Gala are available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the continued growth and development of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. For more information about the Gala, ticket purchases, and sponsorship opportunities, visit https://kaufman10th.com/.

About the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, founded in 2012, is a new model of dance education, combining artistic excellence with industry access. It offers a hybrid and collaborative approach expressed in various areas, including studio practice, music, choreography, performance, new media, and scholarship. The school aims to transform dance by encouraging interdisciplinary work and embracing the artistic rigor of conservatory dance instruction with academic opportunities. Students are encouraged to think across boundaries and approach dance with a global perspective. Graduates have gone on to successful careers in dance companies, choreography, and other fields. For more information, visit kaufman.usc.edu.

About Glorya Kaufman

Philanthropist Glorya Kaufman’s love affair with dance began before she could even walk. Growing up in a home filled with music, she fondly remembers standing on her father’s toes as a child, swaying to the rhythm of a song playing in the background.

From those magical memories sprung an enduring passion for the art form. While never formally trained, Glorya spent her youth dancing at nightclubs across Los Angeles, perfecting the quickstep, the cha-cha, and her favorite — the Argentine tango.

Glorya married homebuilder Donald Bruce Kaufman in the early 1950s and helped form what eventually would become Kaufman and Broad, a Fortune 500 homebuilding company. Following the untimely death of her husband in 1983, Glorya poured her energies into philanthropic ventures. Thus began the legacy of the Glorya Kaufman Foundation.

Among the organizations supported by the foundation are the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Juilliard, and now the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

Glorya’s generosity will ensure that future generations of students at USC will also experience the joy of dancing.