USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

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.

Before switching into “performance mode” here at USC Kaufman, I, along with the entire Class of 2022 and Class of 2023, had the privilege of working with Silas Riener. Together, we delved into the work of Merce Cunningham.

Jim and Sherrie Evans have been supporters of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance since their son Brendan (BFA ’20) became a student at the school in 2016. They shared a bit about themselves and their USC Kaufman story.

From Thursday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 3 USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance students and their families enjoyed a wide range of activities hosted on the USC campus for Trojan Family Weekend 2019.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, Dean Robert Cutietta welcomed USC Kaufman students and donors to attend the school’s First Annual Endowed Scholarship Brunch at Redbird restaurant at Downtown L.A.’s historic St. Vibianas.

This month, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance student Jake Tribus (BFA ’20) traveled across the country to perform in the New York City premiere of William Forsythe’s ballet, “Seventeen/Twenty One.”

As a new program, USC Kaufman is committed to forging new pathways in the career services department. Our career services team looks constantly for ways to ease the transition into a professional career. Whether through networking opportunities or workshops, our team actively provides channels into the professional world.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance will premiere a new work by University of Southern California alumnus Andrew Winghart next year at the School’s debut at The Broad Stage. During his time as a guest artist, he will work with the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021.

Justin Pham (BFA ’20) is a USC student, dancer and choreographer, whose work is now being recognized on the national stage. In January 2020, he will present a new piece at the Capezio A.C.E Awards for the chance to win $15,000 and a fully-funded show.

As a new benefit, Dean’s Circle members at the Demi-Soloist level ($2,500) and above will have access to purchase VIP tickets to any of the four performances. They’ll also receive an invitation to our opening night party on April 17, 2020.

At the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, we have the amazing opportunity to have a variety of artists and choreographers come in and share their knowledge and passion for dance with us. Barak Marshall, one of our Artists in Residence, is currently in the studio with us. He has shared much more than phrase work over these past few weeks.

This year, in a seemingly unorthodox move, two professional dancers chose to step away from the professional stage and into USC’s classrooms. Both Eileen Kim and Jonathan Alexander (BFA ’23) shared what drew them to USC Kaufman specifically, what they learned during their time as members of professional ballet companies and where they see their dance journeys going from here.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance alumna Alyssa Allen (BFA ’19) will join Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as a company member. Next month, the Gardena, Calif. native will relocate to Chicago and start rehearsing with the company, which is now celebrating its 42nd season.

Our Vice Dean and Artistic Director Jodie Gates mentioned in one of our first moments with her that, “It is [the goal of the school] to have every USC Kaufman student graduate with a passport.” This really hit home for me because I see the true value of traveling, especially as an artist.

Applying to dance programs can definitely be a stressful time. So, I sat down with USC Kaufman’s Assistant Dean of Admission and Student Services, Anne Aubert-Santelli, to come up with the top 10 things students should keep in mind when applying to our school.