Tiffany Bong

Tiffany Bong is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California's Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, specializing in Hip Hop, Community Engagement, and Dance Pedagogy. She is an international hip-hop dance artist, educator, and entrepreneur with a BA in Theatre & Dance, BS in Psychology from Santa Clara University, and Professional Designation in Arts Education from Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

• Master Teaching Artist for The Music Center: Los Angeles County Performing Arts Center
• Guest Lecturer at Cornell University, Loyola Marymount University, and UCLA
• Founder/Executive Director of UniverSOUL Hip Hop

Bong's research focuses on preserving hip-hop's cultural roots while innovating pedagogical practices. She emphasizes music-dance reciprocity, integrating live DJs into university-level hip-hop classes to replicate club environments and foster real-time artistic dialogue. Her work bridges historical dance forms like Campbellocking with modern street-dance evolution, prioritizing cultural, political, and social context.

Her articles highlight trends in hip-hop education, including responsive teaching methods, DJ-dancer collaboration, and the importance of musical nuance in dance creation. These explore how hip-hop pedagogy intersects with cultural preservation and youth-driven innovation.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• Hip Hop International World Locking Champion
• R-16 North American Locking Champion
• International WaackPunk/Pose Champion
• Recognition Award for UniverSOUL Hip Hop
• Red Bull Beat Riders Program (2007)

Bong actively collaborates with institutions and commercial artists. She is a founding member of The Syrenz (performing with Justin Bieber, Usher, Rihanna) and member of World Dance Crew. Her advocacy focuses on hip-hop's role as a tool for social awareness and cultural progression.