Photo: USC Kaufman BFA Student Jessica Muszynsky | Photo by Rose Eichenbaum

Faculty News

collage of Kara Wilkes, Toyin Sogunro, and Peter Chu headshots

August 11, 2021

Announcing Fall 2021 Repertory and Guest Artists at USC Kaufman

This coming semester, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance will offer its students the chance to engage with renowned guest artists and repertory as our dance studios begin to open. Guest artists Kara Wilkes, Toyin Sogunro and Peter Chu will engage with BFA students remotely throughout the semester. BFA students will also learn repertory from current USC Kaufman faculty and Artists in Residence.

Collage of headshots featuring Penny Saunders and Rosanna Tavarez

July 12, 2021

New faculty and Artists in Residence for Fall 2021

This fall, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance welcomes two new faculty members. Penny Saunders will join the School of Dance as an Artist in Residence. Rosanna Tavarez will become an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance for the 2021-2022 academic year.

A woman wearing a black and white dress stands on stage and reaches out her hand while she looks beyond it.

May 5, 2021

USC Kaufman professor joins Ann Reinking Scholarship Board

This month, Off The Lane, a nonprofit organization committed to developing programs to empower artists early in their careers, launched the inaugural Ann Reinking Scholarship. Bonnie Homsey, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, recently joined the Advisory Board of the scholarship as the Chair of the Application and Adjudication Committee.

Kyle Abraham dancing on a basketball court

April 7, 2021

Kyle Abraham to join USC Kaufman as Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor of Dance

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance has named Kyle Abraham to the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professorship of Dance. Starting fall 2022, Abraham will begin working with USC Kaufman. In addition to Abraham joining the USC Kaufman faculty, up to 10 members of his dance company, A.I.M, will teach a week-long intensive every December at USC Kaufman.

A man wearing a green shirt and a black and white scarf smiles over his shoulder

March 23, 2021

Celebrating Forsythe’s contributions to USC Kaufman

William Forsythe played an integral role in providing foundational knowledge for USC Kaufman in its infancy. From the beginning, Forsythe has imparted his modern wisdom on the School of Dance in his approaches to ballet, improv, composition and more. Now, as he prepares to move on after this semester, his colleagues celebrate his lasting impact.

Four dancers rehearse in a studio

February 9, 2021

Announcing new Artists in Residence: Spring 2021

This spring, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance welcomes three new Artists in Residence with diverse choreography experiences. These new artists – Dwight Rhoden, Micaela Taylor and Doug Varone – will join fellow Artists in Residence Marjani Forté-Saunders and Victor Quijada in working with the BFA students this semester.

Dancers wearing red and black

January 26, 2021

Announcing Spring 2021 Repertory and Guest Artists at USC Kaufman

Every school year, USC Kaufman proudly offers its students the opportunity to learn a variety of renowned repertory and to work with some of the most distinguished artists in the field. Even though instruction remains online, USC Kaufman looks forward to continuing this tradition in the Spring 2021 semester.

Tiffany Bong dances in line with students in a USC Kaufman studio

October 6, 2020

Spotlight on USC Kaufman hip-hop faculty

Learn about some of the hip-hop faculty working with BFA students this semester, including lecturer Tiffany Bong, Assistant Professor of Practice E. Moncell Durden, Associate Professor of Practice d. Sabela grimes and lecturer Amy O’Neal.

Bruce McCormick jumping

September 23, 2020

Spotlight on USC Kaufman ballet faculty member

Learn about some of the ballet faculty working with the Class of 2024 this semester, including lecturer Gillian Finley, Assistant Professor of Practice Bruce McCormick and Artist in Residence Jermaine Spivey.

Full color headshot of Jackie Kopcsak next to black and white photo of her in an Italian pas de chat wearing a tutu

September 18, 2020

USC Kaufman announces Assistant Dean of Faculty

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance has appointed Jackie Kopcsak as Assistant Dean of Faculty. In this position, she will be involved in faculty assignments, mentoring, merit reviews, promotions and hiring, among other responsibilities.