<p>The USC Kaufman School of Dance is being established at the University of Southern California. It will be SC's sixth school dedicated to the arts. Dean Robert Cutietta has been named dean of the school which is now in the design phase. The school will offer a BFA in Fine Arts curriculum.</p>
<p>USC announced the appointment of Jodie Gates as the first director of the new school. She will take up the position in August 2013. Ms. Gates was a principal ballerina with the Joffrey and Frankfurt Ballet companies. She was an Altria/ABT Fellow and is a noted choreographer.</p>
<p>The new state of the art complex will be named the Kaufman International Dance Center.</p>
<p>Correction:</p>
<p>The title should read New Kaufman School of Dance at USC</p>
<p>Any idea how many students will be admitted the first year, or what the focus will be (ballet, modern, jazz, etc.)?</p>
<p>Also, any idea how they would look at transfer students in 2015, and what kind of prep they’re interested in? This program starts too late for us - my DD graduates May 2014 - and is now trying to decide where to focus her energies: A BFA program she wants to stick with for four years, or a shorter-term choice close to home, and transfer later.</p>
<p>sally,
The site indicates a student can focus on classical ballet or other styles of dance. You may wish to write and have that clarified. SC’s other art schools have fairly small freshman classes, usually slightly over 100. My guess is they will probably follow that model. That is only a guess.</p>
<p>When the drawings are released of the dance complex we shall all have a better idea of the high standards Mrs. Kaufman expects for the new school.</p>
<p>Thanks, Georgia Girl. We will keep an eye out for more information!</p>
<p>My DD graduates high school In May 2014 also. I called the office at USC and spoke to someone about the process. They will NOT be accepting transfer students in the first couple years. You can transfer to USC from another school but you will start as a freshman in the dance program, at the beginning of the 4-year curriculum, and any previous college dance training will not be given credit.</p>