Associate Professor Patrick Corbin | Photo by Cheryl Mann

Associate Professor of Practice Patrick Corbin has been named a 2025 recipient of the USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching—USC’s highest faculty honor for exceptional contributions in the classroom. He was formally recognized at the Academic Honors Convocation on April 16, 2025, becoming the second faculty member from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance to receive the Associates Award, and the first honored specifically for excellence in instruction.

A founding faculty member at USC Kaufman, Corbin has dedicated over a decade to mentoring the next generation of artists, bringing his rich professional background and choreographic insight into the classroom. A signature achievement since his arrival at Kaufman is the establishment of the Dance and Health Initiative, which derives from his longstanding interests in the effect of dance on the brain. This research dates back to 2005 when he first developed a movement class for children with autism.

Corbin’s course, titled DANC 140 Dance and Health: Dance and Ability, has gone on to become a staple of the USC Kaufman curriculum. Open to all USC students, the class examines existing research on dance and health through articles, lectures by expert guest scientists and scholars, dance practice, community engagement, and collaborations with partners like USC’s Keck School of Medicine, Lineage Performing Arts Center, Free 2 Be Me Dance, The Miracle Project and Salud Pá Ti at Plaza de la Raza.

“Patrick is an exceptional artist whose passion for dance has touched so many lives and reached far beyond the stage,” said USC Kaufman Dean Julia M. Ritter. “His commitment to our students and to cultivating a dynamic learning environment is nothing short of inspiring. We are proud to honor his impact and celebrate his artistry.”

As a performer, choreographer, and educator, Corbin continues to leave an indelible mark on the Kaufman community and the broader landscape of American concert dance. His professional career spans more than 30 years and includes performances with many of the most respected companies in the United States, such as American Ballet Theatre II, the Joffrey Ballet, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Martha Clarke, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company, where he received a Bessie Award for Sustained Achievement in 2001. 

As a choreographer, Corbin founded CorbinDances in 2003, a company that showcased original works and celebrated the legacy of modern dance while developing and presenting young, emerging contemporary choreographers. His choreography has been presented at leading venues including The Joyce Theater, La MaMa, and Dance Theater Workshop. At USC Kaufman, Corbin continues to blend his experience in both ballet and modern dance with a focus on artistic individuality and performance excellence.

“I feel so fortunate to be part of a community that believes in the power of artistic expression and shared knowledge,” said Corbin. “Every day, I’m moved by the passion and dedication of our students and teachers. It’s a privilege to walk this path alongside them and my fellow faculty. To be recognized for doing what I love is truly humbling.”

Corbin holds an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and has taught at prestigious institutions such as the American Dance Festival, Miami City Ballet and the Taylor School. His work as an educator is grounded in a belief in the transformative power of dance, and he remains committed to fostering resilience, authenticity, and curiosity in every student he teaches.

The USC Associates Awards are presented annually at the Academic Honors Convocation, which celebrates the exceptional contributions of USC’s most inspiring educators. This year’s convocation, presided over by USC President Carol L. Folt, was held on Wednesday, April 16.