USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

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.

This fall, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance enters its second year of Kaufman Connections. This partnership with 32nd Street Elementary School offers a 24-week, hip-hop dance program led by USC Kaufman BFA students, who are also known as “teaching artists.”

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance BFA program was conceived with a conservatory-style emphasis on dance, but is embedded in a top-tier university. What exactly does this mean? BFA students at USC Kaufman take on technique, repertory, improvisation, and composition. Simultaneously, they meet the general education requirements of the university.

The NDT summer intensive already exceeds any and all expectations that I previously had for the course. And it is only Week One! I can feel the love for dance radiating through the studios. I am truly humbled to be in such a supportive and inspiring environment.

With the help of current Batsheva dancers and GAGA teachers Billy Barry and Kyle Scheurich, Bret Easterling will bring the mysterious technique to Los Angeles dancers, imparting its special tactics for body awareness and sensation.

USC Kaufman’s newest group of BFA freshmen will become the school’s fifth class. The class of 2023, with 26 students total, will begin courses mid-August. Read this post to learn more about each dancer.

Kate Dunn is a dancer, choreographer and educator known for performing on stage, screen and Broadway. Broadway/West End credits include Contact, On Your Toes, Chicago, Billy Elliot, Matilda the Musical, Groundhog Day and Dirty Dancing. We asked her thoughts on her career and what she hopes students will take away from her classes.

USC Kaufman is seeking applicants for a full-time Associate Director, Individual Giving. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director, Individual Giving will manage a portfolio of individual prospects and donors ranging from $1 up to $100,000.

This fall, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance welcomes Dr. Marisa Hentis, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, who will teach Conditioning for Dancers and Dance Science. We asked her to share a bit about herself, her practice and her advice for students.

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance alumnae Satori Folkes-Stone (BFA ’19) and Madison Vomastek (BFA ’19), who recently finished with their undergraduate studies, are packing up and moving across the country to another big city. The two dancers will join the cast of the upcoming Broadway revival of West Side Story.

Next month, REDCAT’s New Original Works Festival will close its last weekend of three with USC Kaufman alumnus Austyn Rich’s (BFA ’19) latest work, BL**DY SPAGHETTI. Rich and fellow alumnus Alvaro Montelongo (BFA ’19) will perform the work.