Jenna Meilman (BFA ‘23) and Jessalyn Ward (BFA ‘23) will perform July 21-23, 2022 at the Stadttheater Fürth in Fürth, Germany with recent USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance graduates and fellow classmates. As they prepare, they share their experiences on the three-week rehearsal process leading up to the USC Kaufman Debut in Germany.
Lauren Brophy (BFA ’23) and several of her peers recently traveled to Berlin, Germany for the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Maymester. This year’s program was led by professors Bruce McCormick and Thomas McManus, who both have lived in Germany. In this student blog, Lauren shares her experience seeing live performances in Germany and reflects on the three-week course.
Ashton Benn (BFA ’24) and several other BFA students just finished their second week in Berlin, Germany as part of USC Kaufman’s Maymester. In this student blog, Ashton shares what she hopes to discover about herself through her travels and reflects on her first impressions of Berlin, including taking class at Radialsystem studios.
Hayden Rivas (BFA ’24) is currently in Berlin, Germany on a Maymester with the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. This three-week long course is led by USC Kaufman professors Thomas McManus and Bruce McCormick. During the trip, BFA students will have the opportunity to attend dance classes, watch opera and avant-garde performance viewings, and take architecture tours, among other cultural experiences.
Last month, BFA students at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance had the honor of taking a master class with the world-renowned dancer and choreographer Brian Friedman. This opportunity was a way for us to have hands-on experience in the commercial dance industry.
As I am wrapping up my first year as a BFA dance major, I am able to reflect on all of the incredible experiences I have had. I am so grateful for the people and memories USC Kaufman has bought into my life and I cannot wait for the next three years. Here is a rundown of a day in my life as a first-year BFA student!
One of the main appeals of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is the unique experience to collaborate with other artists in the broader USC community. In this student blog, Ashton Benn (BFA ’24) discusses Choreographers and Composers and how it offers students the opportunity to integrate different disciplines while working closely with their peers.
The Senior Spotlights showcase included group pieces, duets and solos of varying styles from ballet to commercial jazz. The purpose of this showcase was to invite industry professionals to watch the graduating class in an intimate setting. After the showing, there was a reception to allow dancers and guests to mingle.
Shea Hancock (BFA ’25) shares her DANC 131: Improvisation & Composition experience as Associate Professor of Practice d. Sabela grimes has championed improv as composition. Hancock also describes the lead up to the Fresh Sesh performance, an informal sharing of work from the class.
The A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Winter Intensive was held at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center from Dec. 6-10, 2021. I knew that this would be an amazing opportunity to reflect on my own creative process while also getting the chance to work with Abraham and his company members. Additionally, the intensive was free to all participants to ensure accessibility for their community; something that I’ve never seen before.
Second-year student Hayden Rivas (BFA ’24) discusses his experience creating a piece for the Sophomore Choreography Showing, in conjunction with the course Improvisation and Composition. The Sophomore Choreography Showing will take place Nov. 17 and 18 at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center.
My time at USC Kaufman is coming to a close, but until graduation comes, I will bask in the schedules that have carried me through my years here. A mix of dance technique, rehearsals and academic classes have been the backbone of my days from my first year to now. It is a structure that can be very rigorous, but I have come to love it!
