Meet the Class of 2028
August 21, 2024
Diversity is one of the foundational values of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance experience. This year’s incoming Class of 2028—the tenth cohort since the school welcomed its first in 2015—hails from every corner of the United States and the globe, whether it be California, Texas, or Taiwan.
With that comes a range of experiences and life stories (27 to be exact) that will add new dimension to the school’s vibrant community of dancers, artists, scholars, renowned professors, and influential choreographers. And as with past cohorts, enthusiasm abounds for the members of the Class of 2028.
“I am inspired by my younger self, who had limitless aspirations and soaring goals,” said Jasime Teng (BFA ’28), a denizan of Natick, Massachusetts. “I strive for consistent exploration and growth to show young Jasmine—and countless other young dancers following in my footsteps—that no dream is too big.”
Hayden Mucha (BFA “28) added that he draws inspiration from “the desire to contribute to the evolution of dance by pushing the boundaries of what has been done in the past to challenge old ideas, reflect individualistic expression, and integrate societal shifts.” Mucha describes the field as ever-changing and that he wants to be along for the ride.
Zulu Dochen (BFA’ 28) echoed the sentiment: “Being part of USC Kaufman means that I am committing to four years of building lifelong connections in a supportive community, gaining knowledge to grow into the best person and artist I can be. I have always dreamt of being part of the USC Kaufman family. Now that it has become a reality, I cannot wait for what’s to come.”
We invite you to learn more about the Class of 2028 and join us in celebrating their diversity and individuality. Visit their profiles below for more information.
![](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Luke-Barrett_WEB.jpg)
Luke Barrett
Mountain View, CA
![](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Finn-Bassett-Kennedy_WEB.jpg)
Finnian Bassett-Kennedy
Ann Arbor, MI
![](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ashley-Choy_WEB.jpg)
Ashley Choy
Barrie, Ontario
![Headshot of Samuel Cool, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sam-Cool_WEB.jpg)
Samuel Cool
Franklin, WI
![Headshot of Anthony Dessables, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anthony-Dessables-WEB.jpg)
Anthony Dessables
Miami, FL
![](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zuzu-Duchon_WEB.jpg)
Zuzu Duchon
Mill Valley, CA
![Headshot of Amara Duke, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Amara-Duke_WEB.jpg)
Amara Duke
San Diego, CA
![](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Trent-Grappe_WEB.jpg)
Trent Grappe
Houston, TX
![Headshot of Lola Iglesias, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Lola-Iglesias.jpg)
Lola Iglesias
Parker, CO
![Headshot of Avery Jerome, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Avery-Jerome_WEB.jpg)
Avery Jerome
Snoqualmie, WA
![Headshot of Kali Knewitz, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kali-Knewitz-Headshot-Kali-Knewitz.jpg)
Kali Knewitz
Dallas, TX
![Headhsot of Kamryn Maddox, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kamryn-Maddox_WEB.jpg)
Kamryn Maddox
Fresno, CA
![Headshot of Emma Marcellana, USC Kaufman Class of2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Emma-Marcellana_WEB.jpg)
Emma Marcellana
San Jose, CA
![Headshot of Megan Matthieu, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Megan-Matthieu_WEB.jpg)
Megan Matthieu
Houston, TX
![Headshot of Holly McDowd, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Holly-McDowd_WEB.jpg)
Holly McDowd
Lake Oswego, OR
![Headshot of Hayden Mucha, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Hayden-Mucha_WEB.jpg)
Hayden Mucha
Melbourne, FL
![Headshot of Izabella Orozco, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Izabella-Orozco_WEB.jpg)
Izabella Orozco
Brooklyn, NY
![Headshot of Ryan Pecorella, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ryan-Pecorella_WEB.jpg)
Ryan Pecorella
Fort Mill, SC
![Headshot of Hannah Robertson, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Hannah-Robertson_WEB.jpg)
Hannah Robertson
Atlanta, GA
![Headshot of Dayan Robinson, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dayan306223_Original-Dayan-Robinson.jpg)
Dayan Robinson
Baton Rouge, LA
![Headshot of Noah Schmidt, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Noah-Schmidt_WEB.jpg)
Noah Schmidt
Norfolk, NE
![Headshot of Caroline Skrable, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Caroline-Skrable_WEB.jpg)
Caroline Skrable
Carlsbad, CA
![Headshot of Landon Spurbeck, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Landon-Spurbeck_WEB.jpg)
Landon Spurbeck
Seattle, WA
![Headshot of Jasmine Teng, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jasmine-Teng_WEB.jpg)
Jasmine Teng
Natick, MA
![Headshot of Isaiah Villegas, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Isaiah-Villegas_WEB.jpg)
Isaiah Villegas
Chandler, AZ
![Headshot of Layla White, USC Kaufman Class of 2028](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LaylaAlexisWhite-Headshot1-Layla-White.jpg)
Layla White
Atlanta, GA
![Headshot of Daniel Young, USC Kaufman Class of 2028.](https://kaufman.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Daniel-Young-Headshot-2-Daniel-Young.jpg)
Daniel Young
Taipei, Taiwan