In addition to our faculty and students, a variety of passionate and talented individuals comprise the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. The Artistic Advisory Committee maintains the philosophy, promise and direction of The New Movement to assure USC Kaufman remains a world leader in dance education. The Curriculum Committee makes curriculum decisions in the best interest of the students’ education, centering equity, transparency, trust and collaboration across staff, faculty and leadership.
Faculty Council advises senior leadership on matters of general interest to USC Kaufman faculty. The Student Advisory Board represents the larger USC Kaufman student body, sharing the needs of this important group. USC Kaufman’s Career Services team provides valuable resources to help students transition into professional careers. The Board of Councilors contributes to the overall health, stability and growth of the organization. Finally, USC Kaufman Staff provide administrative support to ensure the continued success of the School of Dance.
USC Kaufman Staff
Julia M. Ritter
Dean
kaufman.dean@usc.edu
Alison D’Amato
Assistant Dean of Academic & Faculty Affairs
adamato@usc.edu
Jackie Kopcsak
Assistant Dean of Programming & Special Projects
jkopcsak@usc.edu
Patrick Leder-Morrow
Assistant Dean & Chief Development Officer
pmorrow@usc.edu
Dane Martens
Assistant Dean of Operations and Strategic Initiatives
dmartens@usc.edu
Eva Blaauw
Senior Assistant to the Dean
eblaauw@usc.edu
Matt de la Peña
Head of Communications
mdelapen@usc.edu
Kyle de Tarnowsky
Music Director
detarnow@usc.edu
Christine Dennis
Senior Faculty Affairs and Programs Coordinator
cdennis@usc.edu
Miki Frank
Assistant Director, Advising and Student Affairs
mikaelaf@usc.edu
Callen Gosselin
Dance Production Manager
cgosselin@usc.edu
Bert Henert
Costume Technician
rhenert@usc.edu
Natasha Liu
Director of Individual Giving
liunatas@usc.edu
Jess Mahon
Assistant Manager, Operations and Facilities
mahonj@usc.edu
Sophia Moritz
Curriculum Coordinator
smoritz@usc.edu
Aline Ocon
Senior Business and Payroll Department Administrator
aocon@usc.edu
Kathryn Poppen
Costume Supervisor
poppen@usc.edu
Karen Rios
Head of Human Resources
karenhen@usc.edu
Elliott Scher
Assistant Director, Admissions and Career Services
elliotms@usc.edu
Maxwell Transue
Dance Accompanist
transue@usc.edu
Christopher Yokas
Senior Business Officer
yokas@usc.edu
2024-25 Artistic Advisory Committee
d. Sabela grimes
Saleemah E. Knight
Holley Farmer
Bruce McCormick
2024-25 Curriculum Committee
Dawn Stoppiello, Lead
Tiffany Bong
Patrick Corbin
Alison D’Amato
Thomas Ford
Achinta McDaniel
2024-25 Faculty Council
Margo Apostolos
d. Sabela grimes
Amy O’Neal
2024-25 Student Advisory Board
Class of 2025
Shea Hancock
Janae Holster
Summer Vu
Class of 2026
Emily Fluker
Rhaine Marquardt
Jayde Woodard
Class of 2027
Belly Laird
Samiyah Norris
Anthony Picarello
Class of 2028
Ashley Choy
Emma Marcellana
Jasmine Teng
Career Services Team
Shannon J. Grayson
Grasan Kingsberry
Bruce McCormick
Elliott Scher