News
From Kaufman to the Mediterranean: Hayden Rivas charts his own course
Rivas (BFA ’24) brings a Broadway-caliber performance to cruise ship stages while pursuing artist advocacy and management.
How Madison Falconer is carving out space for creativity and community
With the Woodworks Artist Residency, the USC Kaufman alum is building a more sustainable future for the arts.
Hank Alpert, Orsi Bakos join USC Kaufman Board of Councilors
The prominent donors and entrepreneurs bring a passion for dance and a wealth of expertise to their new roles.
Photo highlights from our 2025 Spring Showcase
The much-anticipated program featured new creative voices and iconic choreography.
Dispatches from Paris: Kaufman students reflect on a transformative Maymester abroad
The 2025 trip left dance majors and minors alike with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the Parisian way of living, where the arts are typically at the forefront of people’s minds.
USC Kaufman releases inaugural Impact Report: 10 years of setting a legacy in motion
This comprehensive report highlights the school’s journey from its founding to its 10th anniversary in 2025, highlighting the impact on students, alums, and the global dance community.
Dance Teacher: USC assistant professor Tiffany Bong uses a DJ in hip-hop class to ‘create art in real time’
Just like most university-level ballet classes have a pianist and contemporary classes might have a percussionist, Bong’s classes rely on a DJ to give dancers a complete experience.
Scenes from Commencement 2025
View photo highlights from this year’s school ceremony.
Mandy Moore delivers the 2025 commencement address
“You are armed with an incredible amount of dance knowledge and that, my dear dancer friends, is going to be what sets you apart from so many of your peers as you start to navigate this big, bad business of art making.”
Arjun Kochhar addresses the Class of 2025
“At a young age, I fell in love with stories. Today, I dedicate this speech to those who remind me why our stories matter—the Class of 2025.”
Dance Teacher: Eileen Kim is living by leaps of faith
Kim, a USC Kaufman graduate of 2023, finds herself balancing an ever-growing list of creative pursuits.
LA Dance Chronicle: ‘LA Dances Graham100’: An important and splendid night of dance
USC Kaufman joined a venerable group of LA institutions to celebrate 100 years of the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Professor Patrick Corbin honored by USC Associates for excellence in teaching
Corbin is the second faculty member to receive the USC Associates Award, and the first to be honored specifically for excellence in instruction.
Arnhold Foundation selects USC Kaufman for lauded NYC fellowship program
USC Kaufman Dean Julia M. Ritter shared the news in a letter to the Kaufman community.
Visionary choreographer and director Mandy Moore to speak at USC Kaufman’s 2025 commencement ceremony
Moore will deliver the keynote address to the graduating Class of 2025.
The Hollywood Reporter: Wayne Brady and Kenny Ortega set to join USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance milestone gala
The stage is being set for the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance’s milestone 10th anniversary gala.
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance announces star-studded 10th Anniversary Gala program
Dance luminaries including Misty Copeland, Kyle Abraham, Toni Basil, and Mandy Moore
to attend a celebration honoring philanthropist Glorya Kaufman’s transformative vision.
Embodying humor: A spotlight on Jillian Meyers
Get a glimpse into Meyers’s imaginative world as she shares the inspiration for her new work at USC Kaufman.
Annenberg Media: Dancing for them: the making of the dance short film ‘Baraye’
This USC student film — with choreography by Ella Melideo (BFA ’26) — sheds light on the women who fought for their rights in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran.
Student Blog: Movement meets music at CoLab 2025
Irena Yin (BFA ‘26) reflects on her experience as a project co-leader at Trinity Laban’s CoLab 2025 in London.
Jakevis Thomason puts a new spin on a Graham classic
Hip-Hop is at the heart of a world premiere performance inspired by the work of Martha Graham.
Students savor the athleticism and artistry of Bereishit Dance Company
Bereishit Dance Company makes their Los Angeles debut, showcasing repertory that challenges interpretations of traditional art forms.
Elizabeth Auclair looks for the ‘human connection’ in Martha Graham’s ‘Acts of Light’
Auclair speaks on her experience staging a seminal Graham work on USC Kaufman second-year BFA students.
Dance Teacher: Adam Vesperman moves from Billy Elliot to touring the world
At age 11, Vesperman (BFA ’20) was ushered into an impromptu audition that launched his professional career.
The Georgia Straight: Ballet BC’s Benjamin Peralta keeps diving deeper
Now in his third season with Ballet BC, the USC Kaufman alum is refining his artistry but also figuring out who he is both on and off the stage.
Dance Magazine: How Braylon Browner balances the spotlight and the studio
Since finishing in the Top 8 of “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 18, Browner has continued to carve out a dynamic presence both on and off the stage.
Student Blog: Fresh Sesh 2025 sparks choreographic discovery
Emma Marcellana (BFA ’28) shares her experience preparing for Fresh Shesh, her first student composition showing with USC Kaufman.
Kaufman Converge brings the multifaceted worlds of Teresa Barcelo and Rauf Yasit to the stage
Two distinct artists come together to expand creative boundaries.
Black History Month: A reflection shaped by dance, identity and empowerment
Onye Stevenson (BFA ’25) looks back on a journey of finding her voice through dance, celebrating identity and resilience along the way.
USC Kaufman to join venerable LA dance institutions for Martha Graham Centennial Celebration
The program includes a piece by Martha Graham and a newly commissioned work by USC Kaufman alum Jakevis Thomason.