Dear Friends of Kaufman,

We begin with a somber acknowledgment of the difficult and tragic circumstances of the unprecedented Los Angeles County wildfires. In times like these, we need the arts more than ever as Angelenos come together to heal and rebuild our communities, especially in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. 

It’s hard to believe that almost 10 years ago, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance opened its doors and admitted its first class. Since that time, the school has enjoyed an unprecedented, meteoric rise, becoming the preeminent dance school nationwide with its unique model of top conservatory-level dance training within a major tier-one research university. Today, more than 150 Kaufman graduates are transforming the landscape of dance worldwide, performing with such prestigious companies as Alvin Ailey American Dance Teater, The Joffrey Ballet, and many more. Kaufman alums have made their Broadway debuts in West Side Story and & Juliet and joined Broadway touring productions. And in L.A. they are making their mark dancing and choreographing for pop icons like Beyoncé, Usher, and Ariana Grande. Simply amazing! 

We will celebrate a decade of achievement with an unforgettable, star-studded 10th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, May 3, at the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center at USC. Our Gala Committee has planned a spectacular evening of dance, music, and glamour, including a red-carpet reception, a gourmet banquet dinner, and an array of special guests. We are thrilled that a trio of acclaimed entertainment industry professionals—Anita Mann; Jeff Thacker; and Hollywood icon Kenny Ortega, are sharing their artistry and expertise to create this one-night-only dance extravaganza with our production team. 

Of course, there would be no need for celebration without the singular vision and drive of one extraordinary woman, Glorya Kaufman. With her transformational gift to USC in 2012, Glorya’s dream became a reality when USC Kaufman opened in 2015. On May 3, we will honor Glorya Kaufman for all she has done to support dancers and arts education in Los Angeles, across the nation, and around the world. 

So, join us May 3 to celebrate Glorya, USC Kaufman and the greater Kaufman community. Ways you can participate in the Gala, including table sponsorship and tribute levels, are included at the link above. If you have any questions, you can email kaufman.10year@usc.edu, call 213-821-6712, or visit the 10th Anniversary Gala webpage at kaufman10th.com. Your support of the Gala will help lay the foundation for the next 10 years of continued growth and success so that Kaufman students can achieve their potential and realize their dreams.