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Student Blog

man and woman dancing outside in blue dance attire

July 1, 2019

Student Blog: Ballet and Berkshires at Jacob’s Pillow

I learned so much during my time at the Pillow, and not just from the performance opportunities. Each class taught me something new, whether it was improvisation and composition knowledge from Emily Molnar or a Forsythe technology from our very own USC Kaufman professor Thomas McManus.

Dancer standing over mirrors

June 24, 2019

Student Blog: Shifting gears at this year’s New Movement Residency

As soon as USC Kaufman announced this year’s New Movement Residency artists, I began to arrange plans to stay in Los Angeles for the summer. An excited buzz filled the USC Kaufman hallways and studios among my peers when we found out that Marissa Osato, Micaela Taylor and Tony Testa would be here this summer.

A boy dances in a park lined with trees and brown fences

June 21, 2019

Student Blog: Collaboration in a Parisian context

Towards the end of the Paris Maymester, USC Thornton and Kaufman students worked in collaboration on original creations. We spent a few hours of studio time improvising with one another, and the following day we broke into small groups to create pieces that reflected on our Parisian experiences.

woman with flower

June 17, 2019

Student Blog: Ode to a found flâneur

Rachel Harris (BFA ’20) writes “Ode to a found flâneur,” a poem inspired by her time in Paris with the USC Kaufman and USC Thornton Maymester.

Win McCain wearing gray unitard and white socks posing in front of French building

June 10, 2019

Student Blog: Win McCain on arts patronage in France

In comparing the European attitude of supporting the arts, there is a distinct difference between that of the United States and France. During my time here in Paris, I have been able to see different aspects of that in how governmental politics intersect with daily life.

barefoot dancer reaching arms out wearing gray flannel shirt and blue jeans in front of green bushes

June 3, 2019

Student Blog: Classical and electronic at the Paris Philharmonic

At the Philharmonie de Paris, I went to a pop-up exhibit titled “Electro” that took an in-depth look at the evolution of electronic music, internationally. This exhibit included interactive exhibits, films, text and photography/videography. The moments that did not include dance truly interested me.

man lifting woman in palace

May 28, 2019

Student Blog: Paris Maymester sees NDT2

I was eagerly awaiting Nederlands Dans Theatre 2’s mixed rep performance showcasing works by Ekman, Goecke, and León & Lightfoot. This performance was technically and artistically impressive and engaging.

two dancers rehearsing in a studio

April 15, 2019

Student Blog: “Whelm” creation with Bret Easterling

USC Kaufman’s Class of 2022 has been hard at work with faculty member and choreographer Bret Easterling. Easterling is currently creating a new work on these dancers. Here, four freshman dancers discuss their processes in the studio, workshopping “Whelm.”

dancers wearing black pants and light tops in studio

April 8, 2019

Student Blog: My Freshman Experience

There is something so special about freshman year. New friends, new teachers, new roommates… Everything is new! As exciting as it is, the thought of it can also be daunting. For many people, it is their first time living away from their families and going to school with strangers. But at USC Kaufman, these strangers soon become family.

Students posing in hotel

March 26, 2019

Student Blog: Looking back at our NYC Debut

Jackie Schiffner (BFA ’19) recaps her experience in New York City, which included USC Kaufman’s debut at The Joyce Theater and a student choreography showing at New York Live Arts.