Gates named director
The Glorya Kaufman School of Dance announced Thursday that renowned dancer and choreographer Jodie Gates will serve as the school’s director.
Director · The new Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Director Jodie Gates was previously an associate professor of dance at UC Irvine. — Courtesy of Ralph Palumbo/USC
Gates is the former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet. Gates has also choreographed a number of works for classical ballet companies.
Gates is an associate professor of dance at the University of California, Irvine.
She has received numerous awards for her dedication in the field, including honors from the American Association of University Women and the Jerome Robbins New Essential Works Program. Gates has also created more than 40 works of her own.
Robert A. Cutietta, the current dean of the Thornton School of Music who will serve as the future dean of the Kaufman School of Dance, said Gates has many unique qualities that will be assets to the school.
“What really impresses me is that she has had a fabulous career as a dancer and went on to have a fabulous career as an educator,” Cutietta said. “She understands art, understands education and can put together something that has existed before, and that’s what we’re doing here.”
Cutietta said Gates’ dance festival is an example of her creative traits. The Laguna Dance Festival, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 and run by Gates, gathers dance companies from across the nation to perform in various venues around Laguna Beach.
The school, in addition to the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center, is slated to open in the fall semester of 2015.
In November 2012, philanthropist Glorya Kaufman provided the endowment to create the school. The dance school is the first school at the university to be established in the past 40 years. It is also the sixth endowed school dedicated to the arts, joining the schools of architecture, cinematic arts, dramatic arts, fine arts and music.
Kaufman said she was pleased with Gates becoming the director.
“Jodie Gates is the perfect person for the job,” Kaufman said in a statement. “She is keenly aware of the unique needs of a dancer and the importance of a first-rate curriculum.”
University officials also expressed excitement not only about the school’s establishment but also about Gates’ appointment, noting her extensive experience.
“Glorya Kaufman’s transformational gift has added the beauty of dance to USC’s expressive range,” Provost Elizabeth Garrett said in a statement. “With the addition of celebrated artist Jodie Gates to the Kaufman School’s leadership team, the pieces are in place to complete USC’s arts mosaic.”
A committee of faculty members from various schools across the university selected Gates to serve as director.
Gates will begin her position in August. According to the Los Angeles Times, her official title will be vice dean and director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. She will also have the academic title of professor.