USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

The graduates of the inaugural BFA class at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance have a diverse set of career paths ahead of them. Below, read a little about each graduate, where they’re going next, and the goals they aim to achieve.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and USC Thornton School of Music students are in France through June 9 for our 2019 Paris Maymester. During this course, students explore moments in Parisian salon culture as sites of artistic inspiration and collaboration.

USC Kaufman is seeking two Admission and Student Services Officers. Both full-time positions will report directly to the Assistant Dean of Admission and Student Services. These individuals will work closely with a dynamic team of staff and faculty in delivering a range of student services.

The first class of graduates from the USC Kaufman BFA program hosts a range of polymaths. Get to know more about where they’re headed after commencement, their career goals and more.

Throughout the curriculum implemented at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, BFA dance students interact with many faculty members on a daily basis. Several faculty members have assumed mentorship positions for these students, whether they know it or not.

On Friday, May 10, 2019, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance graduated its first-ever class of BFA students. Watch the ceremony’s keynote address from internationally-acclaimed dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and read more about the school’s satellite ceremony.

On Saturday, April 27, USC Kaufman Board of Councilors members, Founder’s Circle members, faculty, staff and the graduating BFA Class of 2019 joined together to celebrate the school’s meteoric rise since its grand opening in the fall of 2015.

With graduation just around the corner, USC Kaufman’s inaugural class of BFA students has acquired countless memories. Here, they reflect on a few of their favorite moments, and on their overall growth as artists and scholars.

As USC Kaufman’s Class of 2019 prepares for this week’s commencement, two international students offer advice for those considering USC Kaufman. Though the distance may be great, these graduating seniors explain how they have found their niche within the larger university.

Last month, several BFA students from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance traveled to Los Cabos, Mexico to perform at the annual Gala de Danza. The gala, founded by Christina Lyon, began in 2013 when Lyon visited Cabo San Lucas.

Student Aurora Vaughan (BFA ’21) offers her own perspective on mental health and wellness at USC Kaufman. We spoke with her briefly about her own experiences before and during her time in college, and about the resources she hopes to implement in the future.

When dance major Justin Epstein (BFA ’19) pitched his senior project late last year, he had big aspirations. Epstein wanted to create a live interactive experience, with music, projections, and dance. All would be manipulated spontaneously throughout the evening.

Lenai Wilkerson (BFA ’19) was told at age 12 that she would not become a professional dancer. She was serious about ballet and had already decided it was her future career, but her dance teacher suggested basketball or track instead. Her passion, the teacher said, would not be enough.

This month, choreographer Jiří Kylián was elected into the Académie des Beaux-Arts, one of the five academies of the Institut de France. Kylián will join Section VI: membres libres, or free members. Opera manager Hugues R. Gall, also a member of Section VI, will announce and invite Kylián formally to the Académie.

May 4 is USC’s annual day of giving, commonly known to the Trojan Family as Day of SCupport. It’s a campus-wide fundraising initiative where alumni, parents, and friends join together to give back and share what they Fight On for (or as we like to say, Dance On)!

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance student Satori Folkes-Stone (BFA ’19) had her senior project in mind long before she presented it live on March 28. Her process began more than six months earlier—by last August, she had already conceptualized the piece and assembled a team.

Sending kids to college is hard for every parent. However, in talking to parents (mine included), I’ve gathered that it is comforting to know that here at USC Kaufman, your dancer becomes a part of our family. Here are some stories and snippets of advice from current parents on sending their dancers to USC Kaufman.

Robert N. Braun, M.D., the newest member of the USC Kaufman Board of Councilors, is a well-established patron of the arts. Using his experience in these organizations, Braun will work alongside Dean Robert Cutietta and other board members to advance USC Kaufman’s mission.

USC Kaufman is seeking applicants for a full-time position as Executive Secretary and Faculty Support Associate. Reporting directly to the Vice Dean, the Executive Secretary and Faculty Support Associate will be responsible for effectively and efficiently managing the Vice Dean’s complex schedule, coordinating day-to-day activities and meetings and more.

USC Kaufman offers a multitude of leadership opportunities. BFA dance majors can represent their class in the Student Advisory Board. They also can serve as student ambassadors or participate in the SC Choreographic Collective. We asked three students about their leadership roles here at USC Kaufman.

USC Kaufman’s first class of BFA dance majors will graduate this May. In the inaugural installment of senior projects, each will present their own creation in mid-April. USC Kaufman Board of Councilors member Jennifer Cheng and the Cheng Family Fund support the class’ senior projects and presentations.

There is something so special about freshman year. New friends, new teachers, new roommates… Everything is new! As exciting as it is, the thought of it can also be daunting. For many people, it is their first time living away from their families and going to school with strangers. But at USC Kaufman, these strangers soon become family.

On March 23, 2019, USC supporters Pasha and Laney Thornton hosted an Artists’ Salon for the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and USC Thornton School of Music at their private residence in San Francisco.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance has selected three Southern California-based choreographers for its 2019 New Movement Residency. The artists include Marissa Osato, Micaela Taylor and Tony Testa.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance offers students a multitude of job opportunities that complement our busy schedules and varied interests. On-campus jobs are a great way to build a resume and make some money while in school. USC Kaufman often hires students with Work Study (determined by financial aid), as well as students who are studying dance.

This Thursday, in celebration of the bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s famous novel, several USC Kaufman BFA students will perform in Alumni Park as a part of “Frankenstein Re-Animated.” USC Visions & Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative presents and organizes the immersive piece.

Last spring, the SC Choreographic Collective presented—for the first time—its own show: curated, choreographed, directed and produced all by USC Kaufman BFA upperclassmen. This year, in carrying on the tradition, SCCC member Dylan Balka redirected the collective show for a cause very near to his heart.

One of things that separates USC Kaufman’s BFA program from conservatory dance programs is access to the rigorous and robust academic offerings of a top-tier research university. In addition to completing general education requirements, BFA dance students have the opportunity to pursue minors, second majors or even progressive degrees.

Jackie Schiffner (BFA ’19) recaps her experience in New York City, which included USC Kaufman’s debut at The Joyce Theater and a student choreography showing at New York Live Arts.

From February 22-26, a group of USC Kaufman Board of Councilors and supporters traveled across the country to celebrate the School’s New York City Debut at the historic Joyce Theater.