Kali Sayles (BFA ’26) shares her experience working with Professor d. Sabela Grimes and curating this semseter’s Fresh Sesh program.
USC Kaufman hosted Kyle Abraham and his company A.I.M for their 2022 winter intensive. During this week-long intensive, students learned from company members and Abraham, Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor at USC Kaufman, himself. Hayden Rivas (BFA ’24) participated in the intensive for the second year and discusses his experience.
I (much to my disbelief) am now a third year dance major here at The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. I’ve chosen to share a snapshot of my typical Tuesday, which is an assortment of both the physical and intellectual.
On Tuesday November 1, 2022, USC Kaufman Career Services offered a free master class with commercial dance artist Nicolette Alberti. The class was open to dance BFA students, dance minors, and musical theatre BFA students. Alberti, who graduated with a BFA in dance from Rutgers University, has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Maluma and Iggy Azalea. Hayden Rivas (BFA ’24) discusses his experience in the class.
On September 29, 2022, USC Visions and Voices in partnership with USC Kaufman presented the west coast premiere of The Running Show by Monica Bill Barnes and Company. Kali Sayles (BFA ’26) discusses her experience in the unique rehearsal process and performance.
The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance continues to seek to transform dance. One goal that our community continues to work towards is the idea of “The New Movement.” USC Kaufman explores addressing this idea through a hybrid and collaborative approach. One way the school allows students to explore the idea of “hybridity” is through the module of cross techniques.
In contrast to other conservatory college programs in the country, the course schedule at USC Kaufman looks very different. Throughout the journey as a student here, we are required to take General Education (GE) courses. These courses offer a wide range of subjects, from topics of social analysis to different branches of scientific study. Along with extensive classes centered around dance as an art form, these required GE courses act as a foundation for USC Kaufman’s BFA degree.
B-boy Neguin, a breaking champion known all over the world, came to USC Kaufman to teach three master classes. Jonathan Cubides (BFA ’24) talks about his experience taking the classes and how Neguin’s unique teaching approach inspired him to continue elevating his breaking practice.
USC Kaufman performed at the Stadttheater Fürth for their European debut. Colin Heino (BFA ’23) talks about the experience: “dancing at the Stadttheater Fürth taught me not only about what it feels like to tour and dance abroad, but also about myself and the artist I want to become. I will cherish this memory for the rest of my life.”
As a USC Kaufman student, we are always encouraged to go beyond our practices and incorporate multi-disciplinary studies into our projects. With this in mind, I talked with some of my peers because I wanted to create something that would have students from across USC participate in a collaborative project that could emphasize creativity, unity and exploration with all these disciplines in mind.
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.
