POSTING DETAILS:

   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.”

    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 foundational insight, opportunities for artistic development, a diverse performance 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 seeks a Non-Tenure Track, Assistant Professor of Practice in Contemporary and Ballet Technique with expertise in one of the following areas: music, dance history, new media or digital performance.

   We are looking for a collaborative, dynamic and innovative artist-scholar to teach all levels of contemporary dance and ballet technique for undergraduate dance majors, non-majors, and minors. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in contemporary dance or historical modern dance. The candidate will be able to teach and/or stage works of one the following: Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Merce Cunningham or Gaga technique. Successful candidates will have significant professional and/or university-level teaching experience.  

    Applicants must also have an interest and expertise in teaching theory courses related to one or more of the following fields: music, dance history, dance and new media, or digital performance. (Experience in new media includes having created works involving digital content, moving images, motion capture, image-mapping, gaming, animation, projection and social media delivery, as well as knowledge and expertise in software such as Premiere, Avid, Final Cut Pro, Isadora, Max/MSP, Motive, Kinect and Leap Motion). Theory courses will be determined by departmental needs and the candidate’s particular area(s) of expertise.

   Additional duties include student mentorship; non-major program oversight; collaborating with faculty on student evaluation, grading and assessment; participating in recruitment and selection of prospective student dancers; facilitating visiting artist residencies; assisting in rehearsals; directing dance productions on a rotating basis with other faculty; and serving on departmental and university committees. Applicants will be expected to represent USC Kaufman both within the university as well as the local, national and international dance communities.

   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.

 

STARTING DATE:

    August 16, 2016. Initial appointment for a period of one 9-month academic year appointment. Renewal beyond the initial period of appointment is possible, but not guaranteed.

 

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:   

    Begins on December 1, 2015 and continues until position is filled.

 

TO APPLY:

     All candidates should submit a 1) letter of application that addresses their artistic vision and teaching philosophy within an undergraduate liberal arts environment; 2) curriculum vitae including teaching experience, courses taught and developed, professional experience for productions and/or choreography (including URL links); and 3) names and contact information for three current professional references. Additional materials may be requested at a later date.

   USC is committed to equal opportunity and continues to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. Women and men, and members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

    Minimum Education: M.F.A. or M.A. in Dance. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of educational experience.  Minimum Experience: Professional or University-level experience in teaching all levels of contemporary dance and ballet technique, teaching of dance history, music for dancers and/or dance and new media.