Save the Date
Saturday, May 3, 2025
5 PM Cocktail Reception | 6 PM Performance | 8 PM Dinner & Dancing
Attire Black Tie
University Park Campus | University of Southern California
Celebrating a decade and a legacy like no other
Glorya Kaufman | Photo by Al Seib / Los Angeles Times
A lifelong enthusiast of dance, Glorya Kaufman is responsible for some of the most influential civic, philanthropic, and educational initiatives in the performing arts today. Among the many organizations supported by her foundation are Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Music Center of LA, and, of course, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance — a premier destination for arts education that sits at the forefront of developing dancers, choreographers, and dance leaders for the future. This spring, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the school’s opening, we celebrate Glorya’s extraordinary legacy of philanthropic giving and support for artists that stretches across generations.
Catch up on the latest news
Including the establishment of our 10th Anniversary Gala Honorary Committee of artistic luminaries.

Celebrating 10 years of excellence in dance
A decade of setting a legacy in motion. Check back for more updates and information about our 10th anniversary year celebration.
The impact of USC Kaufman over the last ten years has been felt here in Los Angeles and in communities across the country and the world. Our 10th anniversary year celebration is an opportunity for us to look at the next ten years and ask ourselves who we want to be. It’s also a chance to celebrate Glorya Kaufman, our founder, who has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of the dance field. It will be a moment to look back and also look ahead.
A note from Dean Julia M. Ritter
Dr. Julia M. Ritter
How our mission has grown
Since 2015, USC Kaufman has transformed the lives of hundreds of Dance majors and minors and introduced thousands of students to dance as a discipline for cultivating artistry, knowledge, health, and wellness. Kaufman graduates are transforming the field; BFA alumni perform with renowned national and international dance companies, share the stage with superstars like Beyonce and Lady Gaga, win prestigious honors like the Princess Grace Award, and choreograph for multi-million-dollar advertising campaigns. Other graduates leverage their dance literacy to lead successful careers as filmmakers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and health professionals.
As we approach our tenth-anniversary celebration in 2025, we are mindful that the dance landscape here in Los Angeles and beyond is changing in fast and exciting ways.
Kaufman trains the next generation of artists through our distinct model of conservatory-style training focusing on hybridity and the invention of new paradigms for experimentation and discovery. Artists-in-Residence regularly join the faculty and enrich the dimensions of our creative community committed to the highest levels of artistic accomplishment and new knowledge creation through embodied practices. Paired with the academic excellence at the University of Southern California—a powerhouse for interdisciplinary research—the Kaufman School delivers exceptional and unparalleled dance education to all students.
Kaufman stands poised at the cusp of an incredible trajectory of growth. We could not be more excited for what is to come and to share this next phase of our journey with our community and supporters.
Thank you to our gala sponsors
Gold Table Patrons
Celeste Marie Alleyne
Jody and John Arnhold
Debbie and Michael Felix
Renae Williams Niles and Greg Niles
Silver Table Sponsors
Charlene Achki Repko
Robert N. Braun, MD and Joan A. Friedman, PhD
Linda and Mark Florin
Ann and James N. Gianopulos
Joan Herman and Richard Rasiej
Tatiana Blackington James and Todd James
Anita Mann Kohl and Allen D. Kohl
Ava, Natalie and Scott Noble
Julia Strickland and Timothy Wahl
Sue Tsao
Bronze Table Sponsors
The Audre Slater Foundation
Orsi Bakos and Janos Santa
Ramona L. Cappello
Jennifer Cheng
Bryn and Richard DeBeikes
Dee Dee Dorskind and Bradley Tabach-Bank
Ellie and Ron Goldie
Gale and Jim Luce
Debbie and Jim McAleavey
Northern Trust
With additional support from:
andSons Chocolatiers
Lalique Group
Northern Trust
The Stu Los Angeles
Gala Patrons
The Aguilar Family
Gerry and Hank Alpert
Dance and Dialogue
Kristi Duchon
The Duke Family
Scott Duchon and Joyce Chen
Susan R. Friedman
Sara Jane Gould
The La France Family
Robin Rae Robinson
The Valero Family
The Wilson Family
The Wong Family
Karen and Kevin Zarsky
Silver Patrons
Minoo Fatemeh Behboody
Jennifer and Steve Walske