USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

The Progressive Degree Program at USC allows BFA students to blend their dance training with other academic and career aspirations outside the art form. Read on to learn about current USC Kaufman students pursuing progressive degrees.

While this semester presented many challenges for the USC Kaufman community, a collection of students, staff and faculty came together to share what they are feeling thankful for at this time of year.

The University of Southern California offers BFA students a wide array of extracurricular activities. Students can explore interests and opportunities outside the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance to enhance both their academic and social experiences at USC.

On September 27, USC Kaufman hosted an information session for prospective international students over Zoom. Anne Aubert-Santelli, Assistant Dean of Admission and Student Services at USC Kaufman, led the meeting with help from current BFA students.

This fall, USC Kaufman awarded three students from the Class of 2024 with scholarships made possible through donor support, including two Glorya Kaufman Scholars and the recipient of the Felix Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance invites applications for Artists in Residence. USC Kaufman seeks collaborative, dynamic and innovative practicing artists to teach one or more dance techniques and/or dance studies in field(s) of expertise.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance offers a multitude of elective courses that are exclusive to dance majors. Next semester, they have opened up select classes to dance minors and to all USC students. Keep reading to learn more about these Spring 2021 virtual courses that are now open for registration.

Ate9 has been consistently taking the necessary precautions to slow the spread of the virus while keeping our community safe. They require us to wear masks, social distance and regularly wash hands. Once we began in person, everything just fell into place.

Learn about some of the contemporary faculty working with BFA students this semester, including Associate Professor of Practice Patrick Corbin, Assistant Professor of Practice Jennifer McQuiston Lott and Lecturer Bret Easterling.

We are excited to share our plans for the Spring 2021 semester. As the COVID-19 situation evolves and new information becomes available, we will update this page accordingly so please check back frequently. Unless otherwise stated, this information pertains to BFA in Dance students.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance will be offering a variety of new dance electives in the Spring 2021 semester. Learn about DANC 499 Special Topics classes open to all USC students, including Rhythm Nations, Iconic Dance Films of the Twentieth Century, Mindfulness for Dancers, and Dance Masters Forum.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance will be offering a number of engaging virtual dance electives in the Spring 2021 semester. Read on to discover some of the new DANC 499 Special Topics courses, which are open to all students at USC!

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance announced the members of its newly formed Artistic Advisory Committee and Curriculum Committee. According to Dean Robert Cutietta, both of these groups will play an integral role in the school and its continued success.

The University of Southern California recently announced that they have permanently designated Professor Jodie Gates as the “Founding Director of the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance” in recognition of her fundamental role in creating our dance school.

Learn about some of the hip-hop faculty working with BFA students this semester, including lecturer Tiffany Bong, Assistant Professor of Practice E. Moncell Durden, Associate Professor of Practice d. Sabela grimes and lecturer Amy O’Neal.

Due to COVID-19, many dancers have had to adjust the ways in which they practice and interact with the art form. The HAVEN Global Sanctuary for Dance arose in response to the global pandemic. It works to catalyze leadership and innovation for the dancers of tomorrow, including many USC Kaufman alumni.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is a dance conservatory in a university setting. Students in the BFA program take a myriad of dance classes along with school-wide general education requirements. This allows BFA students to explore subjects outside of dance, as well as add minors to complement their dance training.

Learn about some of the ballet faculty working with the Class of 2024 this semester, including lecturer Gillian Finley, Assistant Professor of Practice Bruce McCormick and Artist in Residence Jermaine Spivey.

Artist Francesca Harper joins the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance as a guest choreographer this semester. Harper promotes work rooted in artistic expression, empowerment and social justice. She brings this awareness to her work with USC Kaufman seniors.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance has appointed Jackie Kopcsak as Assistant Dean of Faculty. In this position, she will be involved in faculty assignments, mentoring, merit reviews, promotions and hiring, among other responsibilities.

Zackery Torres (BFA ‘21) tackles topics of gender and inclusivity in their new book An Evolving Conversation on Gender: Dance Edition. The book seeks to break down the complexities of gender and provides information to start conversations in various dance communities.

Due to COVID-19, USC Kaufman BFA students and dance students around the world are currently taking classes remotely. As people dance in spaces in which they are not used to, conducting a quick spatial assessment can ensure dancers have the ability to move to the fullest capacity.

Bret Easterling, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance lecturer, had a summer full of Gaga. Now, he is ready to take on a full semester of teaching it to BFA and elective students alike. This movement language, developed by Ohad Naharin, focuses on guided improvisation through the exploration of physical sensations and available movement options.

Nigel Lythgoe, a member of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance’s Board of Councilors, hosted a virtual conversation with the school’s BFA students and alumni. The event focused on his career journey, advice to aspiring professional dancers and the evolution of the dance field.

Many of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance BFA students have kept themselves very busy with summer projects. They have embarked on various initiatives in and around the dance world.

Looking for a way to stay active and get creative this fall? Shannon Grayson, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance lecturer, will be teaching a variety of elective dance courses this semester. These include ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap and Horton Technique, a modern dance style class that is new to USC Kaufman this year.

As part of University of Southern California’s Welcome Experience, USC Kaufman will host a series of virtual events for students. Its six week schedule of programs intends to support students as they acclimate to the new year.

USC Kaufman’s newest group of BFA freshmen will become the school’s sixth cohort of dance majors. The Class of 2024, with 26 students total, will begin courses mid-August. Learn more about each dancer.

COVID-19 has paused life in many ways. However, Saleemah E. Knight, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, has had an action-packed summer. Knight plans to bring the same energy to her classes at USC Kaufman this fall.

The reality of COVID-19 has granted ample time to explore hobbies both old and new. This fall, Achinta S. McDaniel, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance lecturer, will be teaching three dance elective courses for students looking for a creative outlet. These include Bollywood, Choreography for the Stage and Screen, and Kathak, a style new to USC Kaufman.