USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

As we waltz into the new year, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance embraces the spring semester with a renewed commitment to advancing arts education. USC Kaufman welcomes four new faculty members, Pat Taylor, Josette Wiggan, Betsy Struxness and Nina Flagg. This semester, they will work with both the BFA and elective students. This spring, BFA students will perform at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for the second time. The showcase will consist of both new and existing repertory by USC Kaufman faculty members as well as Artists in Residence. The students will perform seven works, including four world premieres. 

The Dance Magazine Award honoree and MacArthur Fellow sits down with Dean Julia Ritter and students of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance to talk about his path to success.

The USC Kaufman alums and newest members of the renowned contemporary dance group head to Bovard Auditorium this month for the ensemble’s Los Angeles debut.

USC Kaufman hosted Kyle Abraham and his company A.I.M for their 2022 winter intensive. During this week-long intensive, students learned from company members and Abraham, Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor at USC Kaufman, himself. Hayden Rivas (BFA ’24) participated in the intensive for the second year and discusses his experience.

2022 presented many new and exciting opportunities as the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance continued in-person instruction and performances. From USC Kaufman’s debuts at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills and the Stadttheater Fürth in Germany to the many student choreographed shows, the BFA students worked tirelessly all year. As 2022 comes to a close, look back at some of these incredible moments.

The opportunities that USC Kaufman provides, from working with visiting artists to live performance on a professional stage, are transformative and set our students on a trajectory for success beyond college. Your support helps us take advantage of all these opportunities and more so that our students may flourish. 

The LA Times highlights the work of USC Kaufman Lecturer Achinta McDaniel and her vision for “dismantling the monolith.”

To close the fall semester, BFA students at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance performed in the annual Fall Dance Performance on November 17, 18 & 19, 2022 at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center. The show highlighted the versatility and outstanding capabilities of the artist scholars in all four cohorts. The show was made up entirely of new works, created by Artists in Residence and USC Kaufman faculty members.

Donate to the USC Kaufman Scholarship Fund and help us continue to attract the most dedicated, deserving and daring artists of tomorrow.

Thacker’s impressive background as a dancer, choreographer and producer has led to collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment industries.

I (much to my disbelief) am now a third year dance major here at The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. I’ve chosen to share a snapshot of my typical Tuesday, which is an assortment of both the physical and intellectual.

On Tuesday November 1, 2022, USC Kaufman Career Services offered a free master class with commercial dance artist Nicolette Alberti. The class was open to dance BFA students, dance minors, and musical theatre BFA students. Alberti, who graduated with a BFA in dance from Rutgers University, has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Maluma and Iggy Azalea. Hayden Rivas (BFA ’24) discusses his experience in the class.

On September 29, 2022, USC Visions and Voices in partnership with USC Kaufman presented the west coast premiere of The Running Show by Monica Bill Barnes and Company. Kali Sayles (BFA ’26) discusses her experience in the unique rehearsal process and performance.

On Sep 19, 2022, Red Bull athlete and world champion breaker BBoy Neguin came to USC Kaufman to teach three workshops: two for the BFA students and one open to dance minors and members of dance clubs. Originally from Cascavel City, Brazil, Neguin is known for his tricks and signature flipping combos. For Neguin, breaking is a way of life. He shared his wisdom and passion for the art form with all the students.

On Oct 6-8, 2022, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance welcomed BFA students’ families to campus for Trojan Family Weekend. The weekend was full of events aimed at giving families a peek into life as a USC Kaufman student, as well as celebrating the students’ hard work and progress thus far. USC Kaufman also hosted two performances, Cypher Celebration and Fall Works in Progress. 

In contrast to other conservatory college programs in the country, the course schedule at USC Kaufman looks very different. Throughout the journey as a student here, we are required to take General Education (GE) courses. These courses offer a wide range of subjects, from topics of social analysis to different branches of scientific study. Along with extensive classes centered around dance as an art form, these required GE courses act as a foundation for USC Kaufman’s BFA degree.

Dance Magazine has named Kyle Abraham, Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor of Dance at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Dance Magazine Awards honoree in 2022. One of the field’s most prestigious honors, the Dance Magazine Awards recognize artists who have made a lasting impact on the art form.

On September 15, USC Kaufman partnered with USC Visions and Voices to host Beyond the Monolith: Representations of AAPI Artists in Dance, Part 1. This event was the first of a forthcoming series aimed at creating platforms of visibility for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) dance artists. It illuminated a broad spectrum of innovative approaches to dance, addressed AAPI artists’ struggles for equitable representation, and presented their call to action goals at USC Kaufman.

From USC News, “Renowned choreographer and dancer Monica Bill Barnes and writer Robbie Saenz de Viteri are bringing their latest high-energy performance to Los Angeles with the help of students at the USC Kaufman School of Dance.”

From USC News, “on Sep. 19, 2022, the USC Town and Gown ballroom was abuzz with excitement — especially in the back two rows. There, dozens of USC Kaufman School of Dance students, seated with perfect posture, joined university faculty, staff and USC Kaufman supporters to enthusiastically welcome the school’s new dean, Julia M. Ritter.”

B-boy Neguin, a breaking champion known all over the world, came to USC Kaufman to teach three master classes. Jonathan Cubides (BFA ’24) talks about his experience taking the classes and how Neguin’s unique teaching approach inspired him to continue elevating his breaking practice.

Charlene Achki-Repko, USC alumnus and leader in publishing and media, has recently joined the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Board of Councilors. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Music Center’s Center Dance Arts and American Dance Movement. She is also the incoming Chairman of the Board at Everybody Dance LA!. Prior to this, Repko has had a long and accomplished career in the magazine media industry, in advertising sales and marketing.

On August 23rd, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance hosted Open Floor, an annual involvement fair for dance clubs. This is the fair’s first year back since the pandemic, and over 600 students came to learn about 16 different dance clubs. USC Kaufman got an In and Out truck, and students mingled and ate as they perused the many tables. USC Kaufman Student Services attended as well, giving out information about dance minors offered at USC Kaufman.

Alongside the greater University’s Welcome Experience, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance hosted a variety of events to kick off the new school year, including Meet the Dean, a Welcome Lunch, Dance Party and Wellness Fair.

This coming semester, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance offers students opportunities to engage with many renowned artists. Welcoming two new faculty members, James Ady and Kelly Alvarez will work with BFA and elective students, respectively. New Artist in Residence Max Pham also joins USC Kaufman this fall. For upcoming fall performances, BFA students of all classes will learn repertory from new Artists in Residence and current USC Kaufman faculty.

Jake Tribus, a Class of 2020 alum, moved to New York City after graduation and has fully embraced its lively dance industry. Through his many artistic projects, Tribus has garnered recognition as an extraordinary dancer in the contemporary scene. Read on to explore that he has been up to since his time at USC Kaufman.

Over the past year, Findlay McConnell (BFA ‘23) went on three tours with singer and dancer Tate McRae. The first tour was with iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball in December 2021. This past summer, McConnell danced with McRae on her UK tour and her Australia/New Zealand tour.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is excited to announce the upcoming Fall semester performances. These events reflect a diverse range of choreographers, guest artists and movement styles. Through USC Kaufman performances, BFA students will have opportunities to explore different styles and engage with peers.

Dance scholar Julia M. Ritter joined the University of Southern California as dean of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, beginning July 1. Click to read a welcome message from Dean Ritter about the school and its mission.

USC Kaufman performed at the Stadttheater Fürth for their European debut. Colin Heino (BFA ’23) talks about the experience: “dancing at the Stadttheater Fürth taught me not only about what it feels like to tour and dance abroad, but also about myself and the artist I want to become. I will cherish this memory for the rest of my life.”