Kaufman Dance School Hosts Spring Performance Marking End of First Year

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is hosting its Spring Dance Performance this Thursday and Friday, a performance that will conclude the school's inaugural year and showcase its first Bachelor of Fine Arts freshman class.

The concert will feature a diverse collection of contemporary and traditional choreography. The five pieces selected for the performance are each from a different choreographer. The works of Jiří Kylián and William Forsythe will represent the ballet and the works of Martha Graham, Alejandro Cerrudo and d. Sabela Grimes will highlight the contemporary and hip-hop. Grimes is the only choreographer on the program who is also a member of the Kaufman School's faculty, and his piece is the only hip-hop performance.

"The diversity of each piece (in the performance) in relationship to each other really emphasizes the diverse, multilingual and hybridity we are as dancers and as a class," said Kaufman freshman Madison Vomastek. "Bringing hip-hop and the Africanist aesthetics (to the concert stage) is a huge part of our program and it's what largely differs us from other colleges and conservatories."

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Over the past year, the school launched its BFA in Dance program with 33 freshmen students and this upcoming summer, those students will move into the newly constructed Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center. Students in the program have worked with over 15 master guest teachers and companies this year outside of their core faculty.

Though the shows are no longer accepting RSVPs, attendees without reservations will be seated as space permits. The performances will be held both nights at the Bing Theatre at 7:30pm.

Reach Staff Reporter Madeline Ottilie here.

Annenberg Media