USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

Sidney Chuckas (BFA ’21) has always been drawn to architecture. However, he did not always plan to study the subject in college.

In the interest of public health and safety, the University of Southern California announced that all classes will be held online for the rest of the semester. Read more for USC Kaufman specific updates.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance invites applications for the position of Part-Time Lecturer in Jazz Dance to provide specialized instruction in the area of Jazz Dance.

This semester, we had the opportunity to engage in a collaborative experience with students from the USC Thornton School of Music and produce our own student works. We were divided into several small groups and were paired with a student composer.

On February 29, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance held its third biennial Cypher Summit. This event exists as a space for dancers to converge on the preservation of authenticity of hip-hop dance in education.

On February 25, Mariana Carrillo (BFA ’20) presented an evening of dance at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles. This event was created as part of her senior project for the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

At the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, students’ overall health and wellness is a top priority. Dr. Marisa Hentis leads the school’s physical therapy program and teaches two related courses for BFA students: DANC 105 Dance Science and DANC 103 Conditioning for Dancers. Through these offerings, students can learn how to take care of their bodies from both the practical and academic perspective. 

This February, more than 20 USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance supporters gathered in New York City to attend the revival of West Side Story on Broadway, in which alumni Satori Folkes-Stone (BFA ’19) and Madison Vomastek (BFA ’19) are cast members.

This February, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance faculty member Jackie Kopcsak premiered her commissioned work “PAIR/US” at Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum. Her cast consisted of eight members from USC Kaufman’s Class of 2022.

The Choreography for Stage and Screen Minor is one of four minor programs offered at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. This program specifically explores the different techniques used to create dances for the stage and screen, including new media.

USC Trustee Rod Nakamoto and his wife Elsie have made a gift to the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance to create The Rod and Elsie Nakamoto Endowed Student Travel Fund. This fund will support student travel related to their studies, including performance opportunities for USC Kaufman, with an emphasis on international travel.

This January, six students and alumni from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance took the stage in Austin, Texas for ISHIDA Dance Company’s debut performances.

USC Kaufman offers a multitude of leadership opportunities. BFA dance majors can represent their class in the Student Advisory Board, teach young students in the community, work with administration, or facilitate their own senior project. We asked a few students about their leadership roles here at USC Kaufman.

On Jan. 22, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance hosted “An Evening Celebrating Dance Creation.” This event highlighted the new works being developed this semester by faculty member Patrick Corbin, Artist in Residence Hope Boykin and guest artist Andrew Winghart. The finished pieces will be premiered at USC Kaufman’s debut at The Broad Stage later this spring.

USC Kaufman offers a wide range of courses, many of which are open not only to dance majors and minors, but all students at USC. Whether you are looking to get moving in the dance studio, would like to learn more about dance from a range of academic perspectives or are simply looking to fulfill a GE requirement, USC Kaufman has a course for you.

This past year, I had the privilege of dancing the lead role in a music video for Big Wild’s “6’s to 9’s.” I was so excited because this was my first ever professional job and I would not have been able to get the opportunity without my USC Kaufman community!

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance has received a generous gift of $1 million from an anonymous donor. This gift will be used to create an endowment fund, which will support artistic collaborations between the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and the USC Thornton School of Music.

At my USC orientation, the orientation leaders kept telling me that USC would soon begin to feel like home. But I had no idea just how close I would be with this new family. Now, in my third year here, I can say that my community has created such an inclusive and inspiring home.

2019 was a monumental year for the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. From the school’s NYC debut and graduating its first class of students, to performing at USC’s Presidential Inauguration and welcoming the Class of 2023, there was no shortage of exciting events.

I recently had the pleasure of working for William Forsythe on his exhibit “Acquisition/Körperschaft” for the Museum Folkwang in Essen, Germany. 

On Dec. 7, USC Kaufman Alumni Affairs hosted “The Next Step: Resources for the Developing Dance Professional” panel event. USC Kaufman alumni and current students attended the event, which discussed topics relevant to starting one’s dance career.

This December, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance students and alumni will perform in several productions of “The Nutcracker,” spanning from Southern California, Colorado and New Mexico to Ohio, Oklahoma and Oregon.

Since becoming the first cohort of BFA dance majors to graduate from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, members of the Class of 2019 have started to establish themselves in the dance industry and beyond.

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is now accepting applications for its 2020 New Movement Residency program. Now in its third year, the program aims to support choreographers by providing space for them to explore, create and prepare dance work for future touring and presentations.

Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving fueled by community and collaboration, is December 3. Today we ask for your support of the USC Kaufman Scholarship Fund. This fund helps ensure that every academic year we bring together the most dynamic group of students possible.

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.

A unique aspect of Lott’s Visions and Voices series is the addition of artists from both inside and outside of the USC community. In both “Caught in the Chamber” and “Activated Chambers,” chamber ensemble yMusic’s involvement has been a central aspect of the process.

In addition to dance technique classes, rehearsals and academic coursework, USC Kaufman’s BFA students are involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. With over 1,000 student organizations to choose from, there is no shortage of opportunities to pursue one’s interests, take on leadership roles and make an impact at USC.

USC Kaufman constantly offers student choreographic opportunities, whether within or outside of the curriculum. Throughout these courses, you’ll find many opportunities to work on both your own individual work and collaborative choreography.

This month, Glorya Kaufman received The Next Frontier of Dance Governance Honor at the 2019 World Choreography Awards. She was recognized for building global awareness of dance through her philanthropic efforts.