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.
With only four weeks to choreograph, clean, stage and perform a 15-minute piece, involving seven dancers and live music, we started moving quickly. I also had to take into account that I was learning a duo choreographed by Professor Lott.
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.
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.
Orsolina 28 is a new mecca for dance, located just outside the small town of Moncalvo in Northern Italy. This summer, Orsolina 28 hosted their inaugural two-week Forsythe/Pite Intensive, which was attended by 18 USC Kaufman dancers.
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.
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance senior Jake Tribus (BFA ’20) and alumna Jessica Muszynski (BFA ’19) worked with choreographer Aszure Barton at USC Kaufman this year, then were invited to join her in Germany this summer to work on a new creation. As a part of Aszure Barton & Artists, the two dancers are in the studio with company members during the day, then touring the city afterward.
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.
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.
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.
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.
