Teodross Avery bridges teaching, learning, and performance at USC Thornton

Saxophonist and Thornton DMA candidate Teodross Avery was featured in International Musician, where he spoke on his upbringing, musical influences and how he built and maintained a professional career while being a student. “What you get from college is clear music theories, or clear ways to approach music in a regimented form. Information is spread over 15 weeks, so you gradually learn it,” he says. “Being on the music scene has its pluses too; you are able to get a deeper level of study in an area. And learning how to bob and weave socially, you are not going to learn that in school.” He also spoke about his decision to teach and earn his doctorate at USC Thornton. In addition to releasing five albums, Avery has worked with Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, Leela James and Joss Stone.