By Hannah Doerr

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance marked a pivotal chapter in its history during the 2024-25 academic year, culminating in a spectacular 10th Anniversary Gala that raised over $1 million to support the school’s educational initiatives. The milestone year showcased the school’s artistic excellence through groundbreaking performances, international collaborations, and significant faculty recognition.

Distinguished Performances and Repertory

The academic year featured an impressive array of performances that highlighted both classical repertory and contemporary innovation. The culminating Fall BFA Showcase featured premieres by Artists-in-Residence Darrell Grande Moultrie, Micaela Taylor, and Janie Taylor, as well as new works by Kaufman faculty members E. Moncell Durden, Saleemah E. Knight, and Amy O’Neal. The program also included excerpts from Jiri Kylian’s Sarabande and Falling Angels, staged by faculty member Fiona Lummis.

Spring programming included new works by Artist-in-Residence Jillian Meyers, Endowed Professor Kyle Abraham, and Kaufman faculty members Ebony Haswell Frazier, and Josette Wiggan. A highlight of the spring season was the LA Dances Graham 100 celebration at The Soraya Center for the Performing Arts, where select BFA students performed Martha Graham’s Acts of Light under the direction of Artist-in-Residence Elizabeth Auclair, and a new work, Thomason Variation, by alumnus Jakevis Thomason (BFA ‘20).

Throughout the year, students from all classes created and performed in various student-choreographed shows, including Soph Launch, Advanced Composition, Fresh Sesh, and Off-Sights, a collaboration with USC Thornton School of Music. The graduating class of 2025 showcased their individuality during Senior Spotlights and their Senior Capstone projects and performances. The academic year culminated with the school’s 10th Anniversary Gala, which featured performances by members of all the current BFA classes and alumni.

Faculty-Led Educational Events

USC Kaufman faculty members, recognized as change makers in the dance field, presented an array of social and educational events for students that leveraged their areas of expertise. Achinta S. McDaniel curated USC Kaufman’s first-ever South Asian Summit on Dance with special guests Aparna Ramaswamy, Payal Kadakia, Bushra Khan, Chase Constantino. Similarly, Amy O’Neal hosted the interdisciplinary Kaufman Converge salon series, a collaboration with Visions and Voices. The event featured improvisational performances by Teresa “Toogie” Barcelo and Rauf “Rubberlegz” Yasit, followed by a discussion with the artists.

Historic East Coast Tour and International Exchanges

For the first time in the school’s history, USC Kaufman embarked on its first East Coast tour, with a first stop at the renowned Jacob’s Pillow International Dance Festival, followed by a performance at Boston University’s Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre in partnership with the USC Alumni Association. Both performances featured recent new works by Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor Kyle Abraham, Artist-in-Residence Hope Boykin, and Kaufman faculty members Nina Flagg and Jackie Kopcsak. Curated by Kopcsak, the program showcased the Class of 2024 and encapsulated the hybridity and breadth of the Kaufman curriculum.

International experiences enriched the academic program through two signature study abroad opportunities. In February, students traveled to London for the school’s annual CoLab, where they collaborated with dancers and musicians at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance to explore ideas, cultivate a shared language, and create a final performance. A trip to Paris followed in May during the school’s annual Maymester. The three-week “experiential history class” immersed students in Parisian culture and the evolution of art, music, and dance.

Faculty Excellence Recognized

Associate Professor Patrick Corbin, a founding faculty member, received the prestigious USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching, the university’s highest honor for exceptional classroom contributions. Corbin’s innovative Dance and Health Initiative, featuring the course “Dance and Health: Dance and Ability,” explores the neurological impact of dance through partnerships with USC’s Keck School of Medicine and the Lineage Performing Arts Center.

“I feel so fortunate to be part of a community that believes in the power of artistic expression and shared knowledge,” Corbin said earlier this year. “Every day, I’m moved by the passion and dedication of our students and teachers. It’s a privilege to walk this path alongside them.”

Kaufman’s Growing Alumni Community

The school’s growing alumni network continues to shape the dance world across multiple platforms. Notable achievements include Jainil Mehta (BFA ‘21), recognized in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”, for his fusion of Indian classical folk and contemporary dance, and Jakevis Thomason (BFA ’20) premiering a new work for the Martha Graham Dance Company Centennial Celebration. Madison Falconer (BFA ’23) leads the sustainable arts initiative Woodworks Artist Residency, while Jessalyn Ward (BFA ’23) and Paige Litle (BFA ’24) joined the legendary Radio City Rockettes. On the touring side, Adam Vesperman (BFA ‘20) continues to travel the world as a dancer for Sabrina Carpenter and other artists.

Various others returned for masterclasses and mentorship opportunities. Kayla Goldsberry (BFA ‘23) taught choreography from Wicked (she is a member of the touring company). Mark Daftari (BFA ‘19) led a commercial heels masterclass for BFA students and dance minors, and several alumni from various classes returned to perform a new work at the 10th Anniversary Gala.

You can find more USC Kaufman alumni achievements from the past year and beyond by following Kaufman on Instagram.

Leadership and Board Expansion

USC Kaufman welcomed two new members to the Board of Councilors, the school’s stewarding advisory group. Executive leader Hank Alpert and art practitioner and lifetime supporter Orsi Bakos both bring a deep passion for the arts and an impressive track record of worldwide philanthropy. USC Kaufman also appointed Jennifer Cheng as new Co-Chair of the Board. Cheng is a former dancer, business leader, and former artistic and executive director. Together, the Board supports the mission and vision of the school, contributing to its overall health, stability, and growth.

Marking a Decade of Excellence and Recognizing Another Graduating Class

On May 3, 2025, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance celebrated its 10th anniversary since welcoming its first cohort of dance majors with a gala honoring its founder and lead benefactor, Glorya Kaufman. The event raised over $1 million in support of the school’s initiatives.

Shortly after, the academic year concluded with an inspirational celebration of the Class of 2025 and their many accomplishments over the last four years. Emmy-award winning Choreographer Mandy Moore delivered the ceremony’s distinguished remarks, along with graduating student Arjun Kochhar (BFA ‘25).

Read more and view photos and videos here.

USC Kaufman continues with its 10th Anniversary Year Celebration in 2025-2026. Visit kaufman10th.com for more information and upcoming events.