By Arjun Kochhar

When summer rolls around, the BFA students at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance trade classrooms for studios and stages around the world. Some return to their hometowns, others dive into the rigor of summer intensives, and many seek out new artistic communities across the globe. However they choose to spend it, their break is filled with what they love most: dance. Here’s a glimpse into what some BFA students did in their summer months.

Avery Zerr (BFA ’26)

This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Ballet BC 44 Summer Intensive. During my time there, I was immersed in the company’s repertoire and intensive training. I was then in Chicago, participating in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago‘s EXPLORE Intensive, where I was selected for the Hubbard Street Fellows Program alongside my classmate Kyson Kai. During my time at Hubbard, I learned repertoire and took classes from current company members. Following this incredible program, I finished my summer in Montreal, training at Ballets Jazz Montréal’s BJM_360.

This summer has been so fruitful and rewarding! I have made many new friends and learned so much that I will carry into my final year at USC Kaufman.

Chris Chun (BFA ’27)

This summer, I had the incredible privilege of attending both the Contemporary Ballet and Contemporary Performance Ensemble programs at Jacob’s Pillow, led by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Milton Myers. Over five life-changing weeks in the Berkshires, I worked with and performed pieces by Lopez Ochoa, Durante Verzola, Peter Chu, Andrea Miller and Aszure Barton (staged by Taylor LaBruzzo). The diverse artists, faculty and dancers at the Pillow pushed me to expand my technical range and artistic voice. It was a summer that demanded everything of me and gave back even more.

Emmy Cheung (BFA ’26)

This summer, I met and danced with many amazing and inspiring individuals. I began at Springboard Danse, where I worked with Adam Barruch and Alexander Anderson, diving into practices of collaborative composition, partnering and modes of intention. Soon after, I traveled to New York City with classmates Tyler Chang and Cardin Chung, as well as Assistant Professor of Practice Tiffany Bong, to attend the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) under the direction of Jody Gottfried Arnhold. There, I participated as an Arnhold Summer Fellow, representing USC Kaufman and enriching my dance education practices.

I then attended the Nederlands Dance Theater (NDT) Summer Intensive. There, I had the opportunity to learn Jiří Kylián and Crystal Pite repertoire, as well as be in process for a new creation by Lea Ved. My time there left me resonating with a renewed sense of curiosity in the play of dance. Closing out my summer, I took part in Ballet Jazz Montréal’s BJM_360. As I reflect on these experiences, I am deeply grateful to my teachers for their care and generous wisdom.

Emily Fluker (BFA ’26)

This summer, I had the privilege of expanding my dance training and education through two incredible summer programs. First, I attended the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago EXPLORE Intensive, under the direction of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Jonathan E. Alsberry and Craig D. Black Jr. I had the opportunity to learn from exceptional company members and dive into excerpts of repertoire by Aszure Barton and James Gregg.

I then made my way to Montreal to participate in the BJM_360 Program under Alexandra Damiani. There, I worked with company members on their own practices and choreographic voices, as well as existing Ballet Jazz Montréal repertory. My group was fortunate to explore excerpts from repertoire by Jo Strømgren, Aszure Barton and Andonis Foniadakis. Both of these unforgettable summer experiences not only fostered meaningful new relationships but also left me feeling deeply inspired and eager to explore new approaches to movement as I begin my final year at USC Kaufman.

Peiqi (Emily) Liu (BFA ’27)

This summer, I had the most fruitful experiences in life and dance. It began with Springboard Danse in Pittsburgh. Without knowing what to expect, I was given the chance to work with slowdanger and Sidra Bell Dance New York. I also performed slowdanger’s work Abyss in a downtown Pittsburgh parking structure with live sound and lighting design. After Springboard, I was home for three weeks. I reconnected with family, my street dance crew Wabble Streets and poppers from the Guangdong area of China. Every day, I practiced ballet with my teacher Zhen Huang and trained in popping at night with my friends. I even advanced to the Top 16 in a one-on-one popping battle in Guangzhou.

Then, I flew to Chicago to immerse myself in Hubbard Street’s EXPLORE Intensive, where I learned excerpts of Aszure Barton and James Gregg’s works alongside the kindest and the most dedicated company members and dancers. After my time in Chicago, I flew to New York for my second GagaLab. Being my total authentic self and shedding any superficial skin on me, this week was life-changing. Soaking up all the tools and experiences, re-knowing myself and what I want to work on, I will keep dancing my way into the fantasy and abyss, until the end of time.