The 2025 Princess Grace Award recipient joins USC Kaufman Assistant Dean Jackie Kopcsak for the inaugural episode of the school’s new interview series.

USC Kaufman is pleased to launch Between Counts, a new interview series featuring conversations with faculty and leaders in the dance field.

The inaugural episode spotlights 2025 Princess Grace Award recipient and recent USC Kaufman Artist-in-Residence Houston Thomas. A graduate of Chicago High School for the Arts, the Joffrey Academy of Dance, and the School of American Ballet, Thomas discusses his rise from Chicago’s South Side to becoming one of today’s most in-demand choreographers. Upcoming commissions include new works for The Washington Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and New York City Ballet.

He sits down with USC Kaufman Assistant Dean of Programming and Special Projects Jackie Kopcsak to discuss the nature of dance education and what it takes to live in the creative process. The full conversation is available on USC Kaufman’s YouTube channel.