The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A., and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

The hallmark of the newly-established USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance — as expressed in its motto “The New Movement” — is the development of a new movement model expressed in new media, scholarship, studio practice and choreography for the 21st century. The school provides students with foundational knowledge, opportunities for artistic development, access to a diverse performance repertory, exposure to world-renowned practicing artists, dance conditioning, and strategic career venture skills.

In the fall of 2015, USC Kaufman enrolled its first cohort of BFA dance majors. USC Kaufman also offers a robust array of non-major and minor offerings in dance open to all USC students. The dance minor is designed to present undergraduate students with a focus on the discipline of dance as an educational tool for study and research, offering students an interdisciplinary experience compatible with a variety of majors. Visit the School’s website at kaufman.usc.edu for more information.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance invites applications for a Full-time, Assistant Professor of Practice in Dance (Teaching) to provide specialized instruction in the areas of jazz dance and dance studies. USC Kaufman seeks a collaborative, dynamic and innovative artist-scholar to provide instruction to major, minor, and elective technique courses students in the BFA in Dance program as well as the BFA in Musical Theater program (a collaborative program with the USC School of Dramatic Arts and USC Thornton School of Music that provides a rigorous, cohort-based, conservatory-style undergraduate program featuring comprehensive training in acting, voice, dance, dramaturgy, script-writing, lyrics writing, and composition). In addition to teaching practice-based dance instruction at all levels, faculty member will teach academic general education courses such as Introduction to Dance as an Art Form, Origins of Jazz Dance, World Perspectives on Dance, and Dance in Popular Culture. 

Additional responsibilities to include mentoring students on academic and career goals, collaborating with faculty on student evaluations, grading and assessment, participating in the recruitment, review, and selection of prospective students, serving on departmental committees, and overseeing dance productions on a rotating basis with other faculty. Applicants will be expected to represent USC Kaufman at the University as well as within local, national and international dance communities.  Candidates will serve a diverse student population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and are expected to contribute to the School’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is interested in recruiting candidates who have demonstrated an ongoing, successful engagement with the highest standards of scholarship and/or creative activity, consistent with the expectations for excellence in a Research I university.

Successful candidates will: (1) have university-level experience in teaching dance practices to students at all levels, (2) have university-level experience in teaching academic courses open to BFA and non-major students, (3) possess expertise in jazz dance, (3) possess an established reputation as an artist and educator in the dance community and/or musical theater community.

STARTING DATE

August 16, 2021. Initial appointment will be for 3 years. Renewal beyond the initial period of appointment is possible, but not guaranteed. Position is not eligible for tenure. Compensation commensurate with experience.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

Begins February 1, 2021 and continues until position is filled.

TO APPLY

All candidates should submit a (1) letter of interest; (2) curriculum vitae including teaching experience, courses taught and developed, professional experience for productions and/or choreography; and (3) names and contact information for three current professional references (included on the CV). Additional materials may be requested at a later date. Letters of interest should describe candidate’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in higher education and the performing arts.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BFA in dance or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of educational experience.

• Professional or University-level experience teaching dance and/or significant experience as a master teacher (teaching young artists and professionals).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• M.A., M.F.A, or Ph.D. in Dance or a related field.

• 3-5 years University-level teaching experience