USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

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.

This month, The Sacramento Ballet will perform Jodie Gates’ “Embellish” as part of their program, “Mozart in Motion.” Gates, the Vice Dean and Artistic Director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, selected two USC Kaufman alumni to stage the full-length ballet.

Traveling approximately 8,000 miles away from Mumbai, India was a brave decision for both my family and myself. I thought I’d have to fit in to the “American culture.” I did not expect USC to have so many opportunities and events for an international student like me to feel just like I am at home.

Coming into this year at USC Kaufman, I didn’t know what to expect when hearing about the opportunity to work with Rauf “Rubberlegz” Yasit.  A self-taught B-Boy, Yasit pairs his breakdancing technique with contemporary styled influences.

As a BFA student at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, I tend to have a packed and engaging daily schedule. Even though it is sometimes hectic, I am absolutely in love with my life at USC. I get to explore and create as an artist, while also pursuing my academic goals.

My first day of freshman year was a staggering mix of nerves and excitement. We were told we would have class with Professor William Forsythe, the legendary choreographer I had been dreaming of studying with since before College Commitment Day.

Natasha Liu joins the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance as Associate Director of Individual Giving. We spoke with her a little bit about joining our team, and her role as a part of the USC Kaufman family.

Patrick, B.S. ’72, and Bonnie Fuscoe have given $10 million to the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and $1 million each to the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and USC School of Cinematic Arts, respectively. Their gift honors the Fuscoes’ lifetime commitment to USC.

Members of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance’s Class of 2021 and Class of 2022 are preparing to hit the Bovard Auditorium stage for the USC Arts Showcase. On September 18, 2019, the students will perform repertory works, as well as a medley set to 70s hits such as “Staying Alive” and “Last Dance,” during an evening of performances and exhibitions by each of USC’s arts schools.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance faculty member E. Moncell Durden is preparing to bring his talents and knowledge of Afro-Diasporic dance to the East Coast. On August 20, 2019 he announced via Instagram that he has joined the creative team as a dance consultant for the Soul Train musical.

Zackery Torres (BFA ’21) sat down with four BFA students to discuss different performance opportunities at USC Kaufman, including the USC Trustees Retreat in Santa Barbara, the ODC Walking Distance Dance Festival in San Francisco, Gala de Danza in Los Cabos, Mexico and our NYC Debut at The Joyce Theater. 

After meeting with the faculty at Kaufman and speaking with the admissions team, I realized that I wanted to pursue a BFA in dance. USC was my ultimate choice for college because of all the amazing opportunities they provide for their students.

USC Kaufman’s newest class of BFA students, the Class of 2023, enjoyed a variety of activities during USC’s Welcome Week. Events included USC Kaufman’s Meet the Dean event, USC’s New Student Convocation and more.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance welcomes Artist in Residence Hope Boykin. Boykin is a choreographer, educator and current member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Performing professionally for over two decades, she has traveled the world and learned many lessons, which she never hesitates to use as food and fuel for her performances. We asked her to share a bit about herself.

After a fulfilling and challenging two weeks dancing at Orsolina 28’s Forsythe/Pite Program in Moncalvo, Italy, the day finally came. Sophia Oddi (BFA ‘19), Alyssa Allen (BFA ‘19) and I awoke early Saturday morning to embark on our adventure to perform at the second annual Music & More SummerFest in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina with ArtistsPlus Dance Company.