Hayden Rivas | Photo by Cathryn Farnsworth

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Hailing from South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, Hayden Rivas is a versatile artist motivated by his curiosity and unyielding determination. As a teenager, Hayden received the opportunity to work with director Kenny Ortega in Disney’s Descendants 3 and the choreographic team of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Hayden’s professional experiences sparked a desire to further his dance education in a collegiate setting. 

While pursuing a BFA in Dance at USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Hayden was mentored under luminaries such as Kyle Abraham, Dawn Stoppiello, and performed choreographies by Jiří Kylián, Tiffany Bong, Doug Varone, and Jason Rodgers to name a few. Hayden served as Associate Choreographer for USC’s production of Sondheim on Sondheim, directed by Richard Israel. He also had the opportunity to dive deep into his vocal training with Dr Melissa Treinkman. 

Hayden’s cinematic projects were prominently featured at USC events, and his prized film, “the construct of one,” earned many North American honors. As a multidisciplinary artist, Hayden choreographed and served as a principal in “Body of Mine VR,” which won a special jury award at SXSW 2023 and was featured at La Biennale Di Venezia. 

Hayden’s foundational training coupled with a dedication to artists’ causes, propel him toward an electrifying horizon. Amidst the different facets of the dance industry, Hayden unites his varied interests by always leading with a commitment to artistic exploration. With a vision to advocate for artists, Hayden simultaneously pursued a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) with a Media and Entertainment Law Certificate.

Hayden Rivas | Photo by Lee Gumbs

Hayden Rivas | Photo by Lee Gumbs

*This performance/film reel requires a password. Please contact Elliott Scher at elliotms@usc.edu for access.